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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 21:42 10/01/2007 Olmert: My 'hands were clean' in the sale of state's Leumi shares By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent Prime Minister Ehud Olmert responded Wednesday to media reports of a criminal investigation into his role in the sale of the state's controlling interest in Bank Leumi. In a press conference in China, Israeli reporters asked Olmert if his "hands were clean" in the handling of the sale of Bank Leumi while he was finance minister. "Absolutely yes," Olmert responded, and reminded reporters that Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer recently told the press that the sale was properly handled. Advertisement Olmert said he has not been informed of a decision to investigate him. "Today a report was published, one which has been published numerously," he said. "When a descion is made, I will discuss it. From what I've heard, the Justice Ministry reacted in a different [way to the reports]." On Tuesday, the Justice Ministry issued a statement saying: "We wish to make it clear that we have no intention of commenting on any report, news item or speculation regarding affairs involving the prime minister. When the decision-making process on these sensitive and complex matters, which is still ongoing, has ended, an orderly announcement will be made to the public." Channel 10 television reported Tuesday night that the police intend to open more than one criminal investigation against Olmert; that all the probes will be handled by the same police unit; and that an official announcement would be made upon Olmert's return from China next week. The Justice Ministry's decision-making process is complex, not only because of the cases themselves, but because of various subsidiary questions that must be addressed. For instance, should Attorney General Menachem Mazuz recuse himself from the Leumi decision, since his sister, Yemima Mazuz, is the Finance Ministry's legal adviser and was therefore involved in the sale? If so, can he legally delegate his powers to another ministry official, given that the law explicitly states that only the attorney general can order a criminal investigation concerning the prime minister? And if so, who should make the decision - one of the deputy attorneys general or State Prosecutor Eran Shendar? Suspicions that Olmert, in his former role as finance minister, was improperly involved in the Leumi sale first came to light in a report by State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss. The main evidence against him is apparently the testimony of Accountant General Yaron Zelekha. As first reported in Haaretz, an opinion prepared by attorney Michael Karshan of the Justice Ministry recommended a criminal investigation against Olmert in the Leumi affair, on suspicion of fraud, breach of trust and other crimes. However, Shendar then decided that more information was needed, and asked the police to carry out certain inquiries as part of the process of deciding whether to open a formal investigation. The suspicions involving Messer, Olmert's former law partner, were first published in Haaretz Magazine. That report stated that Olmert, while serving as industry minister, personally considered most requests by Messer's clients, and approved benefits worth millions for them. Olmert allegedly met with Messer's clients and with Messer himself to discuss their requests, and also discussed their requests with the relevant Industry Ministry staff. In no case did Olmert report to the state comptroller or the attorney general about a possible conflict of interest, nor did he ever recuse himself from involvement in such requests. The third affair, of political appointments in the Small Business Authority, was also initially exposed by Lindenstrauss, but after his report was published, the comptroller obtained additional evidence, which he has passed on to Mazuz. The comptroller's office said that this new evidence raises "serious suspicions" that the appointments were illegal. Bookmark to del.icio.us Seinfeld in town American Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld tours Israel and promotes his new movie. Beita Israel Uriel Sinai takes us on a photographic journey from Ethiopia to Israel.   1.   hands washed in Beit Hannune... 22:25  |  MIKE KATZ 10/01/07   2.   the dirtiest politico in israeli history. 23:05  |  sevenfatcow 10/01/07   3.   Why you seek to down your true leader 23:07  |  Simon Mohammed 10/01/07   4.   Clean hands? I saw you milking in China 23:10  |  Benny 10/01/07   5.   and elephants can fly 00:41  |  Nili 11/01/07   6.   Mazuz and Olmert 01:08  |  Rabbi Yakov lazaros 11/01/07   7.   Fine, this need to add, the Pal need to seek asset. money plus 02:58  |  Simon Mohammed 11/01/07   8.   The one thing he`s good at 04:31  |  Rav Harley 11/01/07   9.   Question 04:37  |  Rav Harley 11/01/07   10.   Clean 09:10  |  Frank 11/01/07   11.   Is very easy to talk about others, with no responsability 05:18  |  adrian barolsky 24/11/07

Today Online PM: Maintaining status quo with Palestinians endangers Israel Responses: 149 IDF major charged for offering to spy for Iran, Hamas Responses: 77 Abbas: Israel, PA failed to agree on a joint statement Responses: 73 Bradley Burston: Sudanese refugees will enrich Israel with their dignity, diligence Responses: 33 ANALYSIS: PA should have set the bar higher at the outset Responses: 69 Sharansky: Israel again making mistake of strengthening 'moderate' PA tyrants Responses: 48 Rosner's Domain Think of Annapolis as a big party Rosner's Guest: the pervasiveness of "groupthink" in the academy Christmas wars, again? (WTR) Poll: Can the Israeli-Palestinian status quo be maintained? More Headlines 23:24 Abbas: Israel, PA have failed to reach joint statement 01:37 Israel welcomes Saudi Arabia's planned attendance at peace summit 01:19 Top Hamas official predicts wave of Palestinian violence after Annapolis 22:25 Police delay recommendation on indicting PM until after summit 03:55 Holocaust survivor, woman who rescued her meet after 62 years 05:23 Mild earthquake hits central Israel, days after Dead Sea tremor 21:16 Lebanese Pres. declares state of emergency, entrusts security to army 22:08 American Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld in Israel to promote new movie 15:41 IDF major charged over attempt to spy for Iran, Hamas, Russia 22:31 France bestows top honors on family of Nazi hunters Previous Editions Select Day 23 nov 22 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 16 nov 15 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov

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