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Top US official: End of the road for Olmert

Despite warm welcome expected at White House – senior administration source predicts gloomy forecast for visiting Israeli prime minister. 'The Americans know how to honor the head of state, but they have very difficult questions for Ehud Olmert the man,' says Israeli official in Washington

WASHINGTON – As Prime Minister Ehud Olmert presses on with his week-long trip to Washington far from the scathing criticism that continues to pile against him at home, it would seem his domestic woes have grown wings.

 

"The Olmert government has heading for the end of its road, and this will likely harm the peace process with the Palestinian Authority and in general," a senior US administration member in Washington told an Israeli official on Tuesday evening.

 

Olmert, who is scheduled to meet with US President George W. Bush later on Wednesday, is currently facing corruption allegations that have led to widespread speculation in Israel that he will likely be forced to step down from office. Olmert himself has said he would resign if indicted.

 

But this harsh assessment of Olmert's political future, made in a private meeting between the American and Israeli officials, is hardly considered atypical rhetoric these days.

 

Other Israelis who have met with members of the Bush administration these past few days have heard much of the same, primarily that the White House is concerned the political ramifications of Olmert's situation will manifest in bad news for the peace process.

 

"The Americans are asking questions about how this scandal will affect our relations with the Palestinians. The question of whether Olmert will have to step down raises many issues. The administration officials are being cautious and they continue to support the process led by the Israeli government," said an Israeli source.

 

But patience aside, says the Israeli official who is currently in Washington, behind closed doors there is a genuine concern for the fate of the political process and not just with the Palestinians, but also the situation with Syria and the cooperation on Iran.

 

Speaking at an AIPAC event on Tuesday evening, Olmert delivered a lengthy speech on ensuring the security of Israel's citizens and was awarded a rousing round of applause. But the corruption scandal hung heavy in the air.

 

"The Americans know how to honor the head of state, but they have very difficult questions for Ehud Olmert the man," said an Israeli official in the US.

 

The Prime Minister's Office said it had no intentions of addressing "gossip."

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.04.08, 15:49
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