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Photo: AP
Mofaz and Olmert in the Knesset
Photo: AP
Photo: Gil Yochanan
Kadima MK Uriel Reichman
Photo: Gil Yochanan

Mofaz asks for Finance or Foreign Ministry

Defense minister tells PM he wants to keep his post or be given either Finance or Foreign Ministry; meanwhile, Prof. Uriel Reichman tells Olmert he is retiring from political life after having been denied Education portfolio

Crisis not only with Reichman: Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz met Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday for talks in which he was notified that he won't be keeping his post in the new government, which is will be given to Labor Chairman Amir Peretz.

 

Both sides described the meeting as "difficult."

 

Mofaz asked that he be allowed to keep the Defense portfolio, or be given either the Finance or Foreign ministry.

 

Earlier it was reported that in the meeting Olmert told Mofaz he wants him to be a minister and play a leading role in running the country and Kadima. Olmert's aides said Mofaz was not offered a portfolio.

 

The Foreign Ministry will remain with Tzipi Livni, who will also serve as deputy prime minister. The Finance Ministry will stay with Kadima but it is unclear who will be given the portfolio.

 

Reichman resigns

 

Meanwhile, Kadima MK Prof. Uriel Reichman informed Olmert on Sunday that he is leaving politics. The crisis with Reichman broke out Saturday evening when a coalition deal sealed between Kadima and Labor was announced and it became apparent that he would not be getting the Education Ministry as promised by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

 

Reichman cancelled a meeting with Olmert earlier Sunday. A meeting between the two set for 2 p.m. was meant to notify Reichman that he will not be appointed education minister.

 

Reichman's aides said he was pressured to accept the Justice Ministry, but he had refused to accept the offer.

 

Olmert's aides said: "We take the cancellation of the meeting very seriously. Threats won't help."

 

The associates also denied reports that Reichman had been offered the Justice Ministry.

 

Olmert had said he would keep Sharon's promise to appoint Reichman education minister should Kadima win the general elections. But with Kadima faring worse than expected, Olmert was forced to concede senior ministerial portfolios to his main coalition partners of the Labor party.

 

Reichman said in the lead-up to the election that the sole purpose of his venture into politics was to reform the education system.

 

Kadima officials commented on Reichman's decision to end his short political careerm saying Ariel Sharon promised him the Education Ministry only if Kadima manages to keep the portfolio in coalition talks with other parties.

 

Reichman reacted to the comments: "This is a despicable comment which I regret. I am surprised that they descended to this level. I am sure Ehud Olmert is not aware of these remarks. It is like saying 'I promised, but I didn't promise to keep my promise.'"

 

"Olmert personally told me the education portfolio is most important and he would have served as prime minister and education minister had he been able. Olmert said he will keep (former prime minister Ariel) Sharon's promise. He told me this in private and in public through the media," Reichman told Ynet.

 

Reichman said he seriously considered accepting the Justice portfolio, but decided to keep a personal promise to serve as education minister or leave politics.

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.23.06, 18:00
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