'There were those who thought I should be number one.' Peres
Photo: Eli Elgarat
Peres: I don't want to be prime minister
In special interview with Ynet, Shimon Peres denies claims he demanded number two spot on Kadima’s list of Knesset candidates, offers his prediction for the year 2010
Shimon Peres is frustrated. His good friend Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is hospitalized, and Peres himself, who was recently been guaranteed the number two spot on Kadima’s list of Knesset candidates, is being blamed for political extortion and subversion.
However, in an exclusive interview with Ynet, Peres denies claims that he demanded the second spot on Kadima’s list, saying some party members understood the need to place him at the forefront.
Barring any unforeseen legal hurdles, next week Peres will apparently be named as minister for developing the Negev and Galilee with additional powers to take part in talks with the Palestinians.
Kadima Party
Ronny Sofer
Shimon Peres will apparently be placed second on Kadima’s list ahead of March elections, according to deal struck in recent days between Peres, Olmert , Livni. Channel 2 TV: Livni will be appointed foreign minister should Kadima form next government
Peres is finding it especially difficult to deal with the condemnations regarding his conduct in the aftermath of Sharon’s hospitalization, with critics blasting him for ‘sewing suits as Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s deputy while others acted in a more dignified manner.’
“I myself did not know whether or not I even wanted to join Kadima’s Knesset list. But people told me ‘It’s important that you join,’” Peres says.
“Then someone thought I should be in the number two spot, even though there were those who thought I should be number one. That’s how it happened; and all this while my (former) party (Labor) is asking that I return."
'Olmert should head the government'
When asked whether he is considering running for prime minister in the future, Peres says, “I have other things on my mind now, and in any case I am not a candidate in the current political formation, so why delude myself?”
“I do not want to be prime minister,” he adds with conviction.
Peres says he trusts Olmert, but “not with my eyes closed; I plan to support him, but express my opinions at the same time.
“I believe Olmert should head the government. It is the right choice, and as such I will support it,” he says.
“During my discussions with him I found that our political and economic viewpoints are similar enough for us to run together.”
Peres is not deterred by Olmert’s refusal to discuss the reduction of social gaps via the 2006 budget.
“Olmert believes (Likud Chairman Benjamin) Netanyahu’s policies were mistaken, and besides, as I have already told my friends at Labor: You do not need socialists in order to distribute money to the poor; you need to make money in a capitalistic manner.”
'A solution will be found for Jerusalem'
As to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, Peres says that many senior government officials contend that the permanent borders should be determined sooner rather than later.
“I believe this should take place during this term. I hope that we will have someone to talk to as a result of the January 25 Palestinian elections,” he says.
“We can talk to Hamas, but only if it lays down its arms. The organization is beginning to doubt whether it can triumph with guns and bombs. Hamas is the biggest obstacle to economic prosperity due to the fact that it is detrimental to peace.”
So how will the region look in 2010? According to Peres, the permanent borders will be “more or less” set, with the necessary amendments to U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338.
“A solution will be found for Jerusalem without dividing it, an Israeli-Jordanian-Palestinian economic troika focusing on Europe will be established, and we will look toward the U.S. for security-related and diplomatic guidance.”
Who’ll be the prime minister in 2010?
I don’t know.
