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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Olmert: Someone under investigation doesn't necessarily have to resign |
| 2008-05-29 |
| Prime Minister Ehud Olmert responded to growing calls for his resignation Wednesday, telling council heads of Gaza area communities and Ashkelon, "someone under investigation doesn't necessarily have to resign. You can be sure that I have explanations for all the allegations against me, and every testimony will be refuted." Olmert is suspected of having illegally received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Jewish American businessman Morris Talansky. On Tuesday, Talansky told a preliminary hearing at Jerusalem Magistrates Court that he gave Olmert $150,000 over a period of 15 years. Olmert raised as evidence for his claims the testimony of his former driver, Avi Sherman, who was proven to have lied on television about details pertaining to the investigation. "They asked him ten questions on TV, but the polygraph proved he was lying in every answer," Olmert said. "I need to resign because someone said something against me? Every minute an investigation is launched and someone has to resign? If so, four prime ministers should have resigned in recent years." Olmert also addressed the ongoing rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into the Gaza area communities, reiterating the sentiment that very soon a decision will be made regarding Israel's response to the situation. Earlier Wednesday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to leave his post or prepare for early elections, saying he did not believe the premier was capable of simultaneously leading the country and dealing with his personal matters. "I do not think the prime minister can simultaneously run the government and deal with his own personal affair," Barak told a news conference at the Knesset press room in Jerusalem on Wednesday. "Therefore, out of a sense of what is good for the country and in accordance with the proper norms, I think the prime minister must disconnect himself from the daily running of the government. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 That headline is pretty much true because if were required to resign just because you were under investigation you could always get people to resign by simply opening one. Resignation should depend on the OUTCOME of the investigation, not just because there is one. |
| Posted by: crosspatch 2008-05-29 17:19 |