Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer arrived in Israel on Wednesday, for a three-hour visit to inaugurate Microsoft's new research and development center in Herzliya. The ceremony was attended by President Shimon Peres and leading hi-tech representatives. Balmer called Microsoft as much an Israeli company as an American company, adding that the proportion of Microsoft employees per capita in Israel was similar to that of the United States. Ballmer also commented on Microsoft's recent interest in Yahoo. 05/22/08.