Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., May 26, 2008 Iyyar 21, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:20 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (Flash) ANALYSIS / Olmert's last police interview was tailor-made for him By Ze'ev Segal Tags: Israel, Police, corruption  The prime minister's lightning-quick interrogation Friday was an interrogation tailored to the interviewee. The prime minister set the date and time allocated for the interview - one hour. The interview was on his home court - at the premier's residence, according to a "tradition," problematic in and of itself, that sitting prime ministers and presidents are interrogated in their homes or offices. Such an interrogation is naturally uncomfortable for detectives, who have trouble making the most of it. This is especially true when what is meant to be a long interrogation is allocated a short time slot. Based on comments by Olmert's defense counsel regarding the quantity of material they must handle in order to cross-examine Morris Talansky, it is hard to understand how the detectives were supposed to ask all the necessary questions in the meager hour allotted them. On Tuesday, the Jerusalem District Court will hear Talansky's preliminary deposition, now that the High Court of Justice has rejected all arguments against it. The interrogation of the witness by the prosecution will allow him, in his own language and style, to present what relevant information he has. He will testify after prosecution representatives speak with him, as outlined by the law. During his testimony, prosecutors will not be allowed to present "leading questions" that indicate the desired answer. Advertisement One significant question is the timing of the cross-examination, which the law considers the best defense mechanism that the defendant and the court have. As retired justice Yaakov Kedmi writes, "the cross-examination is designed to reveal flaws in the witness's credibility and to allow the court to determine its position regarding the evidentiary weight of his testimony." If Ehud Olmert's lawyers opt not to cross-examine Talansky now, without the court setting an alternative date, they are taking a huge risk. By not questioning the witness, they are allowing the supposition that they don't disagree with him. However, if they give a reasonable explanation for not cross-examining the witness, that implication will not be made. Talansky's interrogation will dispel some of the fog surrounding the Olmert investigation. The attorney general wrote there are "substantial suspicions" of "receipt of substantial sums" from one or more external entities, while Olmert was prime minister, minister of industry and mayor of Jerusalem. In addition, state prosecutor Moshe Lador told the court during the hearing on Talansky's preliminary deposition that Olmert allegedly received from Talansky money "in dollars, in cash, in envelopes" both in Israel and abroad. Lador indicated suspicions of fraud and breach of trust, and "other offenses." Now we can only wait until the curtain is raised. Related articles: Law enforcement source: Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time Talansky's funds paid debts from PM's mayoral campaigns Olmert questioned for second time; Talansky to testify Tuesday Sources: Not enough evidence to indict Olmert for bribery Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.   1.   A question... 07:46  |  Esther 25/05/08   2.   A typical sham of modern times in Israel 09:23  |  S 25/05/08   3.   Sad Tradition 10:12  |  Peter 25/05/08   4.   HE MUST GO! 10:13  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 25/05/08

Read & React Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein Responses: 435 Sources: 'Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time' Responses: 45 Shmuel Rosner: Pastor Hagee was trying to stop 'second Holocaust' Responses: 107 Iranian-born Israeli charged with passing information to Tehran Responses: 65 More Headlines 20:56 Shin Bet: Hamas rockets could hit far beyond Ashkelon 18:04 Fearing Gaza rockets, IDF moves troops, civilian staff from Erez 19:49 New Lebanese President calls for renewal of ties with Syria 18:30 Iranian-born Israeli charged with passing information to Tehran 21:41 Sarkozy to FM: Hamas talks were mistake that won't happen again 20:28 Iranian defense minister hails 'strategic ties' with Syria 21:59 Netanyahu, on Syria talks: Peace with dictatorial state won't last 20:30 Black-Jewish tensions heat up as Crown Heights teeters on brink of violence 20:10 Police question Talansky, pass on evidence to Olmert's attorneys 20:17 Palestinians reject Israeli offer to keep 8.5 percent of West Bank 16:55 'Shampoo' meets 'Munich': New Adam Sandler film stars Mossad hit man turned hairdresser 18:32 Water Authority mulls drastic cuts due to low reservoir levels 17:53 Report: Avram Grant favorite for manager at Manchester City 20:40 Israeli businessman's London home up for sale for $232 million Previous Editions Select Day 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may

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