winds of war

by **hava1** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:04 am

<a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3318213,00.html" target="top">Lieberman headed into government</a> Israel Our Home faction meets in Jerusalem, decides to authorize party chairman to launch negotiations to enter coalition; decision paves Lieberman's way to government. Labor officials: We won't quit even if Lieberman joins Attila Somfalvi Latest Update: 10.22.06, 21:58 After the Israeli government on Sunday afternoon signaled its willingness to accept Israel Our Home as part of the coalition, by approving party Chairman Avigdor Lieberman's bill to change the system of government in Israel, the Israel Our Home faction convened for a decisive discussion in Jerusalem. During the meeting, the faction members decided to launch negotiations on joining the government. Members of the party's political committee also took part in the meeting. Government Support Gov't backs presidential system bill / Ronny Sofer Majority of ministers vote in favor of draft bill submitted by Israel Our Home faction to change government system; Olmert aides express hope Lieberman would join coalition in near future Full story Israel Our Home Chairman Avigdor Lieberman said at the start of the meeting that Israel is in need of a strong regime and that he will meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in accordance with the decision made at the meeting. After a discussion, the faction decided to authorize Lieberman to launch official and quick negotiations on the party joining the government. Official talks between Lieberman and Olmert will be launched in the coming days in order to decide on the details of the coalition agreement. Israel Our Home faction meeting (Photo: Haim Zach) After the decision was made, Lieberman spoke to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the two agreed to talk again and set a meeting. Lieberman later told Ynet: "I am satisfied with the outcomes of the discussion we held. I estimate that I will meet with Olmert tomorrow or the day after tomorrow." According to Lieberman's estimations, Israel Our Home will enter the government by next Monday, at the latest. "We are coming without any conditions. We will do everything for the establishment of a commission of inquiry. I am not coming to fight with Amir Peretz. At the moment the Iranian issue is the most interesting – all the rest is not interesting. I am optimistic regarding the future of the move," he said. The government adopted on Sunday a draft bill on changing the government system in Israel submitted by Lieberman. Twelve ministers voted in favor of the bill, 11 voted against and one abstained. The minister committee for legislation, headed by Acting Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit, later approved unanimously the Kadima faction's bill to change the government system. Labor: Central Committee to decide In the meantime, senior sources at the Labor Party estimated that the party would eventually not quit the government. Aides of Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz also said in recent days that he was not interested in harming the relations with Kadima and the prime minister and that he was not in fact interested in Labor leaving the coalition. Some of the defense minister's rivals in his party also said that they would not object bringing Israel Our Home into the government, on the condition that this is done based on the government's Basic Principles. Knesset members such as Matan Vilnai, Ami Ayalon and others said in recent days that they would not work against the party staying in the government. However, the decision will ultimately be made neither by Peretz nor by the MKs. The Labor Party will have to work according to a decision made by its Central Committee, which will convene after the agreement with Israel Our Home is put on the table. According to estimates, in light of the senior party members' stance, as well as the position of ministers in favor of the party remaining in the government, the Central Committee will rule that the party should stay in the coalition. "There is no need for hysteria," one of the minister in favor of remaining in the government said. "Amir is now being cautious in order not to climb on a high tree which he will not be able to get off." First Published: 10.22.06, 20:01 <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3318286,00.html" target="top">Olmert: IDF preparing for Iranian threat</a> After sending firm messages to Iran following Moscow visit, on Sunday prime minister tells Kadima activists IDF troops already training to face new threats Attila Somfalvi Published: 10.23.06, 00:56 <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/777985.html" target="top"><blockquote>Quote:<hr>Before a military operation<hr></blockquote></a> By Haaretz Editorial Israel is trapped in the Gaza Strip in a situation that appears to be a dead end: Qassam rockets are being fired daily against Sderot and other Negev communities; intelligence reports describe large quantities of explosives and arms smuggled from Egypt through a porous border riddled with tunnels; there is no Palestinian Authority responsible enough to combat terrorism, or even to manage the daily affairs of its citizens; the Hamas insists on sticking to its extremist positions, and blocks any chance for dialogue with it; and on Israel's side there does not appear to be any enthusiasm for starting a new diplomatic process. Under such circumstances, snuggling up to the military option appears to be the only natural choice. The temptation of this option has already enticed a number of cabinet ministers to encourage the Israel Defense Forces to continue its operations in the Gaza Strip, and perhaps to take over additional territory there. There are those who promise that an even more extensive operation will follow once Prime Minister Ehud Olmert returns from his visit to Washington in three weeks. Advertisement However, holding onto the military option as the only choice is not only deceptive, it is also dangerous. As is well known, this is not a new option. It has been exercised in full force for three months now and has claimed the lives of more than 300 Palestinians, among them many innocent civilians. It has not managed to vanquish the crews launching the Qassams or to put an end to the vigorous arming of Hamas and various other groups with sophisticated and more dangerous weapons. In recent days Israel expanded its operations and reoccupied significant segments along the Philadelphi Route. Therefore, the thought that this is a new, magical formula, which can once and for all bring calm to Gaza - in light of the unilateral withdrawal and the fact that the PA has proved unable to impose its authority over the Strip - is just an illusion. Prime Minster Ehud Olmert spoke with a group of 100 Kadima activists at his home in Jerusalem on Sunday and referred to the readiness of the Israel Defense Forces in light of the new dangers faced by Israel, saying that the troops will be trained to face any such threat. "Our soldiers will be trained to deal with any of the dangers Israel is facing, including the Iranian threat, and we have already begun the work," he said. Opinion Warmth in Moscow; reality in Iran / Ronny Sofer Prime Minister Olmert received a very welcoming reception from President Putin, but only on the surface Full story Olmert also referred to the achievements which were obtained as a result of the war and said that it will be apparent to all that the accomplishments that the IDF gained are real and important. He also referred to the probe into the war and said that "there will leave no stone unturned, and no warehouse unchecked." During the past week Olmert expressed his opinion several times regarding the Iranian threat. During his visit to Moscow last week, Olmert told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Israel will not accept a nuclear Iran. “I made it clear to President Putin that the Iranian issue is at the head of Israel’s concern. We don’t have the privilege of allowing a situation that gives a country like Iran unconventional abilities,” Olmert said. "For us, when a leader of another country says he wants to destroy us, it does not sound like a haphazard statement. This is an issue we must be prepared for and prevent in any way possible." 'Government will live long' During the flight back from Russia, Olmert said that "I did not threaten Iran, but the clock is ticking. What we did not want to say a year ago, we can say today. Eight months ago we couldn't speak about sanctions, but today they are happening. "I am the first Prime Minister who says to Iran it should be afraid . It is inconceivable that Iran could not know what it is up against. Otherwise how would it agree on a compromise?" Olmert said. During the meeting Olmert also spoke about Israel's economic situation and said that for the first time in Israel's history, Israel's balance of payments is positive, and the some of all exports is greater than the sum of all imports. "Foreign investments in the Israeli market are in the billions and the situation is only getting better," he told the Kadima activists. At the end of the meeting, Olmert promised that his government will "live long, give the relevant response to the problems of the State of Israel and will know how to deal with the challenges that lie ahead." talkback Print Send to friend Bookmark to del.icio.us

winds of war

winds of war

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