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Photo: Gil Yohanan
A smiling Katsav: I know the truth
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Katsav to reporters: You surely feel better than I do

Even typically marginal event – ceremony during which new ambassadors hand over credentials to president – gets media attention in light of rape allegations against Katsav. President: I am smiling because I know truth

The ceremony during which ambassadors present their credentials is usually considered marginal and doesn't attract much media or public attention. But in the eye of a storm, under a dark cloud of police suggestions for an indictment against the president for the worst sexual offenses, even an event like this turns into a drama.

 

 

Trying to go about his business as usual, President Katsav hosted five new foreign ambassadors from Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. To the many reporters who also arrived at the President's Residence, he said with a bashful smile: "How are you? I am doing well, but I get the impression that you are feeling better than I am."

 

When reporters asked about his smile, Katsav responded: "I know the truth so I have reason to smile. I am happy you are so interested in the handing over of credentials. This is a very important thing."


Katsav with the Canadian ambassador (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

 

Even employees of the President's Residence were smiling from ear to ear. Those present told that the atmosphere was different than the one they had grown accustomed since the affair broke out.

 

Someone mentioned with satisfaction two Ynet publications – one, an interview with former Supreme Court Justice Mishael Cheshin, and the other, encouraging words from Judge Aharon Barak.

 

Cheshin pointed a finger at the media, whom he claims has already convicted Katsav. "Judges need to be made of steel in order to ignore what is written in the papers," he said. Barak, it was reported in Ynet, had a congenial phone conversation with the president and even met with him for a friendly, supportive talk. The office of the former Supreme Court president didn't confirm nor refute the report.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.18.06, 11:25
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