Israeli PM Olmert to make statement

[maddezmom]

Israeli PM Olmert to make statement 08 May 2008 19:05:31 GMT
Source: Reuters
JERUSALEM, May 8 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert convened a late-night news conference at short notice on Thursday as speculation swirled that a police investigation into his affairs would increase pressure on him to resign.

An aide said Olmert would speak to journalists at his Jerusalem residence some time after 10 p.m. (1900 GMT), as most Israelis were still celebrating Independence Day and the 60th anniversary of the foundation of their state.

more:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L087392.htm

[The Magistrate]

1. The True Marvel Of This Situation, Ma'am

Is how all concerned keep finding new and unexpected ways to make it even worse....

"Never say things can't get worse: they can."

[maddezmom]

2. the police lifted the gag order

A judicial source told Reuters that Olmert was suspected of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars before he became prime minister in 2006. A police spokesman, lifting a media gag order, named New York financier Morris Talansky as a key witness.

more:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/JER000020.htm

[The Magistrate]

3. Oh Frabjous Joy! Calloo, Callay!

He does not, Ma'am, seem a very high profile type, this fellow....

[maddezmom]

4. here is the statement

Olmert denies taking illegal funds 35 minutes ago

JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he never took illegal campaign contributions, denying allegations in a police investigation. But he says if he's indicted, he'll resign.

Olmert made a statement late Thursday at his official residence after a gag order was lifted from the case. According to police suspicions, Olmert accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal contributions from a U.S. citizen, Moshe Talansky.

In a statement broadcast live on local TV and radio stations, Olmert said a lawyer handled his finances, and everything was legal. "I never took bribes, I never took a penny for myself," he said.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080508/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_olmert_2

[The Magistrate]

6. 'I Never Took a Penny For Myself', Ma'am, Is An Unfortunate Phrasing

It suggests pennies fetched up nearby, at the least....

[Shaktimaan]

5. He chortled in his joy. np

[notfullofit]

7. And if he

should resign, then what?
Elections = Bibi = all hell breaks loose?

[The Magistrate]

8. Or Something Worse, Sir --- Best To Stay Cheerful And Look On The Bright Side....

Heaven knows Mr. Murphy seems the true deity of the situation....

[oberliner]

9. Opponents: Israeli PM should resign over allegations

JERUSALEM - Ehud Olmert's political opponents demanded his resignation Friday, saying new allegations that the Israeli prime minister illegally accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from a U.S. citizen render him unfit for the country's top job.

Olmert said in a nationally television speech Thursday that he never took illegal campaign contributions but if indicted, he would resign.

But some Israeli lawmakers said the new investigation was reason enough for him to leave office. The investigation is the fifth opened into Olmert's activities since he took office in 2006.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080509/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_olmert;_ylt=AgGzV2JEtxDDcC3IISwV4Ims0NUE