State Comptroller: Don’t need PM’s authorization to probe war
Micha Lindenstrauss says following governments decision to task him with examining home front’s level pf preparedness prior to war ‘the authority to investigate the war in Lebanon is in the hands of the state comptroller; I report only to the Knesset’
On Monday Olmert announced that in addition to the two committees that will be established to probe the military and political echelons, Lindenstrauss will examine the State’s level of preparedness prior to the war and the functioning of the northern municipalities.
Lindenstrauss said he was notified of the governments’ decision to task him examining the home front’s preparation before the war only from the media.
'His independence is crucial'
“The authority to investigate the war in Lebanon is in the hands of the state comptroller,” Lindenstrauss said, adding that he has to report only to the Knesset.
"The State Comptroller, being an independent authority, exercises his prerogatives according to the law. His independence is crucial," he wrote.
Lindenstrauss added that his office will decide independently on the nature of the investigation into the government's handling of the war in Lebanon.
He added that his office has been collecting data, testimonies and documents related to the government's and military's conduct in the war prior to Olmert's decision to commission two separate committee for that purpose.
A recently published State Comptroller's Office report revealed that as Industry, Trade and Labor Minister between 2003 and 2006 Olmert appointed cronies in the ministry.
