Katsav thanks Howard for fight against Terror

Mr Katsav and his wife tour Sydney Harbour

Israel President thanks Australia
By Sandra O'Malley
March 2, 2005
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1274&storyid=2749622
ISRAELI president Moshe Katsav has thanked Prime Minister John Howard for Australia's efforts in the fight against terror, saying they are an example to the free world.

Continuing a tight-packed schedule on his week-long visit, Mr Katsav had a lunchtime meeting with Mr Howard during his day in the national capital.
A spokesman for Mr Katsav described the lunch as an extremely warm meeting between friends.
The president spent two hours with Mr Howard at The Lodge including a lunch, a meeting attended with advisers and a private 10-minute chat between the leaders.
Mr Katsav's spokesman said the issue of the unexplained expulsion of Israeli diplomat Amir Laty was not raised, but he could not say whether it may have been discussed during their private conversation.

Mr Katsav today reiterated that relations between the two nations had moved past the expulsion of Mr Laty.
"The issue of Amir Laty is not an issue that causes an obstacle or damage to the warm relations between Australia and Israel," he told Sky News.
Mr Katsav thanked Australia for its contribution to combating terrorism.
Mr Katsav's spokesman said: "Australia unlike some other countries doesn't look for explanations why terror is being employed ... (it just realises that) terror is terror.
"The President told the Prime Minister that Australia has set an example to the free world in its fight against terrorism."
The leaders discussed at length the issues of a peaceful resolution to the tensions between Israel and Palestine, as well as the growth of democracy through the Middle East.
Posing for official photographs ahead of the meeting, Mr Howard said Australia had been, and would always be, a very good friend to Israel.
"Israel, of course, has been a standout democratic country in the Middle East," he said.
"It's a robust strong democracy and we are seeing at long last in the Middle East the possible spread of democracy to other countries, and that is wonderful thing."
Mr Katsav told Sky News he had great hopes for peace in the Middle East.
"We trust (Palestinian leader) Abu Mazan, I think he's an honest man," Mr Katsav said.
But he acknowledged that trust and honesty may not be enough.
"He must do as must do as much as possible for stopping ... the bloodshed of terrorism," Mr Katsav said.
Mr Katsav arrived in Canberra this morning to an official welcome by Governor-General Michael Jeffery and Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, complete with a 21-gun salute and ceremony by Australia's Federation Guard.
Late this afternoon, Mr Katsav attended a reception with members of the Israeli community in Canberra at the Israeli embassy.
Security was tight outside the venue where earlier about 80 protesters had gathered, demanding a separate Palestinian state.
A police spokesman said the protest had been peaceful and the protesters had left before Mr Katsav was due to arrive at the embassy.
Mr Katsav will attend a state dinner hosted by Major-General Jeffery at Government House this evening and will fly to Melbourne tomorrow.
AAP