Last update - 00:00 02/01/2008
Olmert trades quips with Israeli comedian in television interview
By The Associated Press
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert traded quips with an Israeli comedian in a TV interview broadcast late Tuesday, also saying that U.S. President George W. Bush likes to walk outside during their meetings.
Bush is scheduled to visit next week, and Olmert said it would not be his last trip here. "He'll come again," Olmert told the comedian, Eli Yatzpan, who has a weekly program on Israel's Channel 2 TV. On his visits to the U.S. to meet Bush, Olmert said, "Sometimes when I'm there, he says in the middle, 'let's go outside.'"
Olmert appeared relaxed in his session with Yatzpan, known for one-liners and impersonations. Yatzpan recalled that in 2001, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak took offense at one of his sketches, and Olmert said he settled the matter with Mubarak.
"You can go to Egypt, you won't have any problem getting in," Olmert told the comedian, adding with a smile, "I don't know if you'll get out."
Yatzpan asked if Olmert's wife interferes in his work, noting that his wife would like to replace him on TV. Olmert replied that he listens carefully to the advice of his wife of 38 years, "but she doesn't want to replace me for even a minute." He added, "In your case, though, that might be a good idea."
Asked about threats by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Olmert quipped, "I'm checking reports that he has something against you personally." In a more serious tone, he said, "Israel has the power to protect itself and its citizens," adding, "I wish I could share with our citizens everything that I know."
Olmert rejected a suggestion that in response to the daily rocket fire by Palestinian militants at Israeli towns outside Gaza, Israel should fire rockets at Gaza towns.
Blaming the Islamic Hamas rulers of Gaza for the rocket fire, Olmert said, "They are a terror group that all the world recognizes as such. We are not a terror organization."
Olmert was diagnosed several weeks ago with prostate cancer but has not scheduled an operation. He told Yatzpan, "I don't have time to take care of personal and health matters."
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