Last update - 00:00 01/09/2006
Olmert's bureau: We did not intervene
The response of the Prime Minister's Office: "Approval for the establishment of the silica plant was given by the Investment Center and the directorate of development regions, and the industry and trade minister at the time was not involved in the decision-making process on this subject. Mr. Ohad Ornstein, head of the chemicals and environment unit, supported the project. We know of no opposition by Mr. Mordechai - in real time and before he was fired - to the project. Mr. Messer was present in one discussion, at which there were many participants, as the project's lawyer. To the best of my recollection, the industry and trade minister at the time did not travel with Mr. Messer to lay the cornerstone. The participation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in development of the land and in funding access roads was authorized by the directorate of the Investment Center. The prime minister is proud that the Industry and Trade Ministry during his term advanced the establishment of a plant in Dimona, even if he was not involved in the matter. This is the role of the Industry and Trade Ministry and its paramount mission."
As for the levy on imported table oil, Olmert's bureau states: "The decision to reduce the import levies on oils and unprocessed soybeans was made by the director general of the ministry at the time, Mr. Raanan Dinur, based on a recommendation by the supervisor of prices in the Industry and Trade Ministry, Ms. Zvia Dori, and in consultation with the head of the Consumer Products Directorate, Mr. Yoram Levy. Mr. Messer was not involved in this. Minister Olmert ratified the director general's decision after rechecking the balances that need to be struck between the various interests of the importers, the local manufacturers and the consumers. The minister did not change the decision of the director general, which was made according to the recommendations of the professional level in the Industry and Trade Ministry."
Regarding the project to convert planes at Nevatim, the response is: "In a discussion held under the chairmanship of Minister Olmert on February 27, 2005, and after the Industry and Trade Ministry received requests from various entrepreneurs to establish a plane maintenance plant at Nevatim, the minister summed up as follows: 'I emphasize that no importance should be attached at this stage to the position of the entrepreneurs regarding the area. We will define a region, goals and aims, and we will allow anyone who is interested in competing in the tender. A committee will be established, to be headed by the director general of the Industry and Trade Ministry, Mr. Raanan Dinur, which will formulate rules for issuing a tender for the project in order to grant authorization for planning ... The committee will consist of the Israel Lands Administration, the Interior Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the Justice Ministry / State Prosecutor's Office, the Investment Center and the legal adviser to the Industry and Trade Ministry.
"All the activity undertaken by the Industry and Trade Ministry on this subject was to advance a tender. The industry and trade minister at the time held one meeting with the former mayor of Dimona, who wanted to explain to the minister the importance of the subject. The industry and trade minister's routine schedule consists of meetings with industrialists and entrepreneurs. The prime minister believed, and continues to believe, that this is a crucially important project for the advancement of the Negev."
Overall, the Prime Minister's Office stated, "The staff of the minister of industry and trade did not handle or exert pressure on the cases represented by Mr. Messer. We know of no matter that Mr. Messer promoted in the Industry and Trade Ministry."