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Last update - 01:43 19/05/2008 What was in the envelopes By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Israel, Ehud Olmert  The police insist on questioning Ehud Olmert before Morris Talansky's public deposition. This demand seems reasonable from the standpoint of advancing the investigation and preventing them from coordinating their stories. Ahead of Talansky's deposition, scheduled for May 25, Olmert's lawyers will receive all the case material that has accumulated to date. The police wish to question the prime minister once more before he has access to that material. If the focus in this case were an ordinary citizen, nobody would bother asking whether there is sufficient evidence against the suspect to interrupt his schedule with a summons for an urgent interrogation. When a prime minister is involved, it goes without saying that summoning him for such questioning prevents him from dealing with important matters. That is precisely the problem with investigating a premier in office, but when suspected bribe- taking is at issue - there is no other way. The inquiry cannot wait a week or a month, let alone until the end of his tenure. If the investigators have what they consider to be credible evidence that shows that envelopes containing money were transferred to the prime minister, he is obligated to provide an explanation for what was in those envelopes. So far there has been no denial on his part of the act itself. Advertisement Money in envelopes is not a routine affair; usually it conceals something: the giver's identity, its route, purpose, perhaps a bribe. The prime minister did not say, "I never received money in envelopes." He said that someone in his circle of associates was responsible for ensuring that the conduct involved was proper. Except that the prime minister's circle did not stand for election, and it does not owe any accounting to the public. Olmert must explain as soon as possible. Furthermore, the prime minister apparently has to furnish that explanation to the investigators because they alone are qualified to verify its credibility and legality. As a suspect he is entitled to stall, remain silent under interrogation and do anything the law permits him in order to be exonerated. As Israel's prime minister, he should be chasing after the police investigators instead of letting them pursue him, and should change his schedule to accommodate them. If the case seriously interferes with his ability to run the country, the prime minister must declare himself incapacitated, and temporarily delegate his duties to his deputy, be interrogated as soon as possible and clear his name. He cannot use his schedule as an excuse, even if that schedule is, naturally, exceedingly busy. This is not the first time public figures have complained about investigations against them dragging on, while on the other hand they do not cooperate with an expedited inquiry. This needs to be said plainly: So long as Olmert has not provided a satisfactory explanation for the money transferred to him in envelopes, he is not morally entitled to sit in the prime minister's seat. This is not another investigation of misguided judgment, strings pulled for friends, appointments - but rather an investigation concerning an act of a prima facie criminal nature, unless proved otherwise. Any attempt to delay explication is not reasonable from a public standpoint. The prime minister should kindly free up a few hours of his time for the necessary questioning. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fear of extinction The state of over 20 species of birds in Israel has worsened considerably. Taking advantage Jerusalem police probe possible gang rape of disabled woman.   1.   Olmert making himself available to the police 13:31  |  michael cohen 19/05/08   2.   No comment 18:43  |  Tali 19/05/08   3.   To Tali - There is no-one behind anything.... 21:41  |  Dolly 20/05/08

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