Olmert: Certain of my innocence
Speaking for first time on A-General Mazuz’s recommendation that he be investigated, PM tells reporters in China, 'I do not feel persecuted; similar reports have been published in the past'
After touring the Great Wall and meeting with his counterpart, Olmert briefed the reporters who accompanied on his trip.
Speaking for the first time on Attorney General Menachem Mazuz’s recommendation to launch an investigation against him, the prime minister said, “I do not feel persecuted; I prefer not to talk about my feelings.”
On Tuesday it was reported that Mazuz is expected to recommend that police investigate Olmert over three affairs: The privatization of Bank Leumi, the alleged illegal appointments at the Israel Small and Medium Enterprises Authority during the prime minister’s tenure as minister of industry, commerce, and labor, and the PM’s association with his confidante, Attorney Uri Messer, who was a partner in Olmert’s law firm until 1988.
Olmert with Chinese PM Wen Jiabao (Photo: AFP)
“Similar reports have been published in the past,” Olmert told reporters. “The Justice Ministry’s statement was also published (the ministry said it would not officially comment on the matter until the conclusion of the decision-making process).”
Turning his attention to the Tax Authority scandal, during which police interrogated his bureau chief Shula Zaken, Olmert said, “"I called only to strengthen her. It is unfit that a prime minister should respond to the investigation beyond this."
Following Olmert’s meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao earlier in the day, China's intention to stick with the decision not to intensify sanctions against Iran and maintain financial ties with the country became clear.
Nonetheless, Olmert told reporters following the meeting that he was “pleasantly surprised (by the Chinese) on the Iranian issue.”
The prime minister added that no military deals were discussed during his visit.
He added that since his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas three weeks ago, Israel has lived up to its end of the bargain, including the transfer of funds, removal of checkpoints, the upgrading of the Karni crossing in Gaza and the granting of permission for more trucks to pass through the various crossings.
"If there are setbacks – they have nothing to do with the Israeli side," he emphasized. However, he added: "You have to take into account that there will be failures, like in Ramallah. You have to remember that we are fighting terror; there is still the threat of suicide bombings. Of course not everything will go smoothly. I want to remind you that the clashes in Gaza over the past few days have not been with Israel but amongst the Palestinians themselves."
Olmert reiterated and spoke of the possibility of a meeting that would include the participation of himself, Abbas, King Abdullah of Jordan and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak: "the matter did not come up during my meeting with President Mubarak last week – on either of our parts; but of course I would be thrilled to consider such a proposal should I be informed of it."
When asked to comment on media publications over the weekend alleging that he plans to dismiss Amir Peretz form his position as Minister of Defense Olmert said: "I don't think that I have to swear my allegence to every minister every few days, I have already said what I have to say on the matter (Olmert insisted that he has no intention of dismissing Peretz).
'We don't need a new political initiative every 24 hours'
Olmert denied reports claiming on behalf of Hizbullah that Israel was in direct contact with the organization to secure the release of kidnapped soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. "We have no direct contact with Hizbullah," said Olmert, "we communicate through the UN. I am not aware of any significant developments on that front."
The PM also addressed the possibility that the father of kidnapped soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit would turn himself over to Hamas and replace his son as their hostage. Noam Shalit had expressed the idea during an interview with an Arab media outlet. "Of course the father, like any father who would say for his son 'would I had died for thee', but it does not sound like a sound suggestion."
Welcoming Olmert in China (Photo: Reuters)
Olmert, a former Jerusalem mayor, also commented on Tuesday's publications regarding the authorization of 1,000 new housing units in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa and the expansion of the Maskiot settlement. "Har Homa is a part of Jerusalem and the construction that was authorized there has absolutely nothing to do with expanding settlements. In Maskiot too, where the existing community of 20 years now was authorized 30 units, the matter was approved by the minister of defense. This is not a new settlement. I don't think that this weighs on our intentions to continue supporting moderates in the Palestinian Authority."
Olmert refused to congratulate former Prime Minister Ehud Barak on his return to politics and intention to run for the chairmanship of the Labor party, saying that offering his blessing to one candidate might be interpreted as though he were interfering with the internal race.
The PM also spoke of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's upcoming visit to Israel and the suggestions that the state policy may change according to the plan presented by Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni.
"Just a few weeks ago I gave a speech at Sde Boker which outlined Israel's policy and brought to my meeting with President Abbas," said Olmert, "I don't think that we need to switch political initiatives every 24 hours. There is the policy which was voted on by the government and which is based on the Road Map. Our policy remains as it was."
