Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., January 24, 2008 Shvat 17, 5768 | | Israel Time: 18:35 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaking the the annual Herzliya Conference on Wednesday. (GPO) Last update - 01:05 24/01/2008 PM: I don't regret my decisions during the war in Lebanon By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Hezbollah, Ehud Olmert  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Wednesday said he had no regrets for the main decisions he made concerning the Second Lebanon war and would not shrink from a comprehensive debate on the actions and failures. "There were mistakes, there were failures, but lessons were learned, mistakes were corrected, and actions were changed," Olmert said in his speech concluding the annual Herzliya Conference on Security. "I will not evade a serious, thorough and responsible debate on what happened, what failed and especially what was achieved. I will respond with restraint and moderation, because I believe that a responsible leadership knows how to contain relevant criticism, put it in the appropriate perspective and context and move on," he said. Advertisement Olmert listed the achievements of the Second War in Lebanon, beginning with the security situation on the northern border. "It is quieter today on the northern border than it has been for the past 18 months and this is the longest period of quiet we've had for 25 years. The North is thriving and flourishing," Olmert said. The prime minister did not deny that Hezbollah has increased its weapons arsenal, saying "there is no doubt that Hezbollah has become much stronger. Hezbollah has more rockets, missiles, ammunition, some of it state-of-the-art," but he asked: "Had there not been a war in 2006, would they have less?" "Is this the most secure situation? Not necessarily," the prime minister continued. "We must not dismiss the possibility of renewed fighting, but the current situation is immeasurably better than before. "It is indisputable that Hezbollah is not deployed along Israel's northern border, its fighters aren't fighting our fighters. For the first time, the Lebanese army is deployed along the border with Israel and for the first time there is an effective international barrier," Olmert said. "The question is not how many rockets and how many missiles... they have more than we would like, but the decisive question is how eager they are to use them," Olmert said. "One thing is clear - our enemies in the north aren't in any hurry to fight us. They know why. The reasons reflect Israel's great power." The prime minister also spoke about the economic situation in Israel, remarking that unemployment has dropped to seven percent and Holocaust survivors are being taken care of as never before. After his associates reportedly blasted the officers who signed the company commanders' letter, Olmert went out of his way to praise the reserve officers. He said he admired all Israel Defense Forces soldiers, "both privates and company commanders." "I have nothing against their criticism and protest...I appreciate our fighters' courage, resoluteness and sacrifice both in the regular army and in the reserves and if anyone pretended to be an associate of mine and said anything different, then he is not my associate," Olmert said. Related articles: Olmert: No calm in Gaza while rockets hit Israel Bereaved parents call on PM to resign in 'alternative Winograd report' The main findings of the Winograd partial report on the Second Lebanon War Bookmark to del.icio.us   The father of the victim Father of terror victim slams Olmert for letting PA try the killers. And you're out German hip-hop artist thrown off reality show over Hitler salute.   1.   Period 2000-2006 was more quiet 23:20  |  a reader 23/01/08   2.   PM doesnot regret the deaths of IDF boys?Katushas last week= Calm 23:21  |  sam 23/01/08   3.   No One is Asking From Olmert to Debate , but to Resign 23:39  |  Joseph E . 23/01/08   4.   To improve any polititurd two necessary items 23:45  |  Gideon Reader 23/01/08   5.   Olmerts a Idiot, His Stupidity & IDF Guts & Blood 01:46  |  Shepherd 24/01/08   6.   Olmerts a Idiot, His Stupidity & IDF Guts & Blood 01:46  |  Shepherd 24/01/08   7.   Olmert Regrets Not Even Arab Internal Destruction of Temple Mount 02:17  |  Joseph E . 24/01/08   8.   Olmert Political Skullduggery Lack Rational Thinking-Calculations 02:25  |  Joseph E . 24/01/08   9.   no regrets for Olmert, future regrets for Israel. 03:20  |  son of sion 24/01/08   10.   i dont regret you decisions either :) 03:43  |  nasrallah 24/01/08   11.   But I do regret his decisions 03:43  |  Taszilo 24/01/08   12.   "Idon`t regret my decision" Olmert. 04:36  |  Akram Zekaria 24/01/08   13.   Why Hizbollah Lost the WAr in Lebanon 04:45  |  Hani 24/01/08   14.   Recipe for failure 07:17  |  Tal 24/01/08   15.   None of your people care what u think!!!!!! 07:40  |  Ben 24/01/08   16.   More the fool he 08:19  |  izak 24/01/08   17.   He says no regrets... 08:32  |  Esther 24/01/08   18.   AGAIN, I`M NOT SURPRISED 08:58  |  indrajaya 24/01/08   19.   Hizbollah Were Whipped !! : ) 09:18  |  Ruth 24/01/08   20.   Indrajaya (a.k.a Lakshmi): The World Awaits An Indonesian Apology 09:41  |  Craig 24/01/08   21.   The PM`s comments 10:02  |  Proud Israeli 24/01/08   22.   reply to Joseph E - Hello this is earth calling 10:22  |  SJ 24/01/08   23.   # 20, CRAIG SM (a.k.a PETER SM) 10:44  |  indrajaya 24/01/08

Today Online High Court of Justice to hold urgent hearing on Gaza blockade Responses: 291 Gaza source: Hamas planned border wall blast for months Responses: 144 Canada to skip UN racism meet due to 'anti-Semitism' Responses: 155 Yossi Beilin: Here's to Prime Minister Livni, Foreign Min. Olmert Responses: 22 Rami Livni: Bi-national state would only perpetuate suffering Responses: 36 Rosner's Domain McCain's letter on Gaza: Israel has the right to defend itself (WTR) Who's better for Israel, Clinton or McCain? New poll: How important is Israel in the 2008 election? Domain's Guest: "all Jews are responsible for one another" Actor Jon Voight: Every Jew must vote for Giuliani (WTR) More Headlines 16:01 PM completely freezes new construction in West Bank settlements 16:46 Arab League chief: Israeli policy is destroying peace process 18:13 Dichter tells police to ratchet up security on Egyptian border 18:33 Yad Vashem launches Arabic Web site to combat Holocaust denial 18:28 Gaza overlooked by U.S. voters; economy dominates race 15:41 Egypt rejects idea of Israel waiving responsibility for Gaza 17:29 AG: Bedouin buildings can be destroyed only with Justice Min. approval 14:15 Burns, in Israel, says new Iran resolution will be punitive 15:30 UN rights council slams Israel's 'grave violations' in Gaza Strip 15:36 Palestinian forces enter Jordan for training under U.S. program Previous Editions Select Day 23 jan 22 jan 21 jan 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan

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