Last update - 00:00 25/03/2007
Lebanon war probe defends decision to disclose Peres testimony
By Nir Hasson and Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondents
The Winograd Committee on Sunday defended its decision to disclose testimony gathered during its closed hearings, saying it was acting in accordance with a High Court decision.
In response to criticism voiced by Vice Premier Shimon Peres and former Military Intelligence Chief Amos Malka for publishing their statements, the panel spokesperson said "the [committee's] charter gives it broad judgment over the proceeding's exposure and publication."
"[The committee] asked the High Court it be allowed to use its judgment in such issues and refrain from releasing the testimonies until after it presents its final findings. The High Court rejected its request and the committee published the testimony accordingly," he said.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert quashed reports that he would no longer support Peres' candidacy for the presidency in the wake of Peres' testimony to the Winograd Committee.
In a meeting with cabinet ministers of his Kadima party on Sunday morning, Olmert said that he will fight "with all of his might" to get Peres elected as President.
In his testimony to the committee, Peres said that "If it were up to me, I would not have gone to war." He then criticized the decision to go to war and the prime minister's speech which detailed the goals of the war.
"I have no other candidate as appropriate for the presidency" said Olmert, who then added that he intends to bring Peres' nomination to the approval of the Kadima party.
In reference to MK Ami Ayalon's (Labor) call to support Peres and not MK Colette Avital (Labor), Olmert added that "he is happy that the Labor Party has wised up and has decided to support Peres' nomination for president".
Ayalon, who is contending for the leadership of Labor party, explained that due to national considerations the party should support Peres in order to block the Likud's candidate, MK Reuven Rivlin, from becoming president.