Last update - 00:00 24/01/2008
Olmert: I didn't tell Vice Premier Ramon to praise my decisions
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday that he was surprised by comments from his Vice Premier Haim Ramon complementing him on his handling of the Israel Defense Forces strike of a reported nuclear facility in Syria last year.
Olmert made these comments days before the publication of the Winograd report, which is expected to include harsh criticism against him and his government for their conduct during the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006.
"I was surprised by the remarks made by the vice premier yesterday. They were not made at my request," the prime minister said Thursday.
Ramon on Wednesday spoke to Channel 10, saying that the decision to strike a reported nuclear facility in Syria last year was "exceptional in its order and thoughtfulness."
Olmert himself, in a speech at the annual Herzliya Conference Wednesday, referred to military operations that he oversaw since the war with Hezbollah in the summer of 2006. "One thing is clear?to many citizens of this state and many leaders around the world," he said, "our enemies from the north are in no hurry to fight against us."
The prime minister also commented on the conclusions drawn after the war in Lebanon, saying "I will not evade a serious, in-depth and responsible discussion of what happened, what failed and especially what was gained. I will respond with restraint and moderation."
"I believe that responsible leadership knows how to accept constructive criticism, put it in its proper place within the larger scale, to internalize parts of it and move on," Olmert added, revealing some of his plans for the day after the publication of the potentially damning war probe report, scheduled to be released next Wednesday.
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