Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem May 25, 2008. Israeli Defense Minister and Labor Party chairman Ehud Barak Wednesday called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to temporarily step aside over corruption allegations or resign at an ongoing press conference in Jerusalem. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
JERUSALEM, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert said Wednesday evening that he will continue to function as prime
minister and will not step down despite ongoing bribery investigation against
him.
Olmert made the remarks during a meeting with heads
of southern Israeli communities and towns near the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip,
reported local daily Yedioth Ahronoth.
"There are those who believe that the launching of
any investigation demands a resignation, but I don't adhere to this notion and I
will not step down," Olmert was quoted as saying.
Earlier on Wednesday, Olmert discussed with a senior
member of his centrist Kadima Party over Jewish American businessman Morris
Talansky's deposition, according to the report.
Talansky told a preliminary hearing at Jerusalem
District Courton Tuesday that he gave Olmert envelopes of his own cash amounting
to no less than 150,000 U.S. dollars over a period of 15 years.
The testimony is part of an investigation into
Olmert, who is suspected of illegally receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars
from Talansky.
Olmert said it is inconceivable that a prime minister
will be condemned based on a single testimony, adding that he will issue a
statement in the next few days.
"I have plenty to say and I have kept quiet because
of the investigation...I will not do anything to harm the party," he added.
At a press conference in Jerusalem on Wednesday
afternoon, Israeli Defense Minister and Labor Party Chairman Ehud Barak called
on Olmert to temporarily step aside over corruption allegations or resign.
"In the wake of the current situation and considering
the challenges Israel faces, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, Iran, the
captured (Israeli) soldiers and the peace process, the prime minister cannot
simultaneously lead the government and deal with his personal affairs," Barak
said.
Out of consideration for the good of Israel and the
accepted norms, Olmert must detach himself from the day-to-day leadership of the
Jewish state, he urged.
The defense minister warned that if Olmert does not
quit, Labor Party will move towards early elections.
JERUSALEM, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister and
Labor Party chairman Ehud Barak is contemplating delivering an ultimatum to
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, whereby he will demand the premier either resign or
agree on a date for early elections, local daily Ha'aretz reported Wednesday.
Barak will hold consultations with senior party officials
on Wednesday, after which he is expected to make a statement at a 1:30 P.M.
(1030GMT) press conference. Full story
U.S. businessman Morris Talansky (R)
walks up the stairs upon his arrival at the Jerusalem district court May
27, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhuanet) -- A U.S. businessman at
the center of a bribery case against Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert testified
on Tuesday he gave Olmert cash-stuffed envelopes but didn't expect any
favors in return.
Police are investigating whether Olmert illicitly
took up to 500,000 U.S. dollars in cash from New York-based millionaire Morris
Talansky before becoming prime minister in 2006. Full story
JERUSALEM, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert was grilled again by police in the latest investigation against him on
Friday, while a court granted a short delay of a pre-trial deposition of a
pivotal witness in the case.
The about one-hour questioning session, the second
since the bribery scandal went public earlier this month, was conducted in
Olmert's residence in Jerusalem, on which the prime minister and the police have
not made public comments. Full story
