Is Israeli leader hyping 'breakthrough' in negotiations?

Ehud Olmert

JERUSALEM – Is Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hyping declared breakthroughs in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations due to his implication in what is being described as a very serious criminal investigation?

That question is being openly asked by pundits here in the Israeli media amid claims by Olmert's office of "significant progress on the issue of borders" during talks he held yesterday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Olmert met with Abbas for nearly two hours in Jerusalem yesterday, one day after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Israel to lift anti-terror roadblocks in the West Bank.

Rice also made statements strongly critical of Jewish construction in the West Bank, most of which the U.S. has slated to become part of a Palestinian state according to negotiations started at last November's U.S.-sponsored Annapolis conference.

Following the Israeli-Palestinian talks, Olmert's spokesmen briefed reporters on "major progress" achieved mainly on the issue of permanent borders of a future Palestinian state and on joint security arrangements.

(Story continues below)

Mark Regev, a spokesman for Olmert's office, told the media "these were the most serious talks the sides have ever conducted."

The reports of negotiation breakthroughs were headline news in Israel.

But the descriptions by Olmert's office were not shared by the Palestinian side.

"It's not accurate to say there was significant progress or any breakthrough at yesterday's meeting," senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told WND.

"The major issues are still being debated and negotiated," Erekat said.

A senior source in the office of chief negotiator Ahmed Qureia told WND things are "not moving as we want them."

The source, speaking on condition his name be withheld, said the Palestinians were "frustrated" by a lack of progress during recent talks and were "surprised" by Israeli claims of significant progress.

Abbas' spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, told Israel's Haaretz daily newspaper today divisions remains on the border issue, despite an in-depth debate on the topic.

Palestinian officials speaking to WND said they were "very concerned" by a criminal investigation into Olmert that has been reported as serious. The media here has quoted senior law enforcement officials stating the investigation could remove the prime minister from office.

The officials said they fear hype about breakthroughs during yesterday's negotiations was an attempt by Olmert to underscore the importance of his remaining in office to continue Israeli-Palestinian talks. That sentiment was shared by scores of Israeli media pundits commenting today on television and radio.

The Israeli media has been placed under a total gag order regarding the criminal investigation, but some details emerged that the case involves a U.S. citizen testifying he was involved in bribing Olmert while the politician served as mayor of Jerusalem in the 1990s.

Highlighting the seriousness of the charges, Olmert has been questioned twice by the police in recent days. The prime minister strongly denied any wrongdoing.

The New York Post today published some details of the case, including the name of the U.S. citizen, Long Island businessman Morris Talansky.

That name was confirmed today by WND, reaching Talansky by cell phone in Jerusalem. Talansky refused to comment on the investigation other than to state he, indeed, is involved.

The Post reported Talansky allegedly passed money to Olmert in the '90s. Talansky's name repeatedly appears – sometimes under the nickname "The Laundry Man" – in logs of financial dealings kept by Olmert's former chief of staff, Shula Zakan, a source told the Post. A source with knowledge of Talansky's business dealings told WND today Olmert served as an advisor and facilitator on Talansky projects, including a failed attempt to build parking garages in Jerusalem. The Post described Talansky as a Long Island mogul and millionaire financier.

But several prominent Jewish New York moguls and financiers speaking to WND described Talansky as a "wheeler and dealer."

"He has new projects quite often and is constantly looking for financing," said one top New York financier. "Sometimes his projects don't get the funds and then he moves on to another idea."

Another financier, a multimillionaire, rejected the description of Talansky as a financier.

"Financier? He's the one always looking for financing," he said.

---

To interview Aaron Klein, contact M. Sliwa Public Relations by e-mail, or call 973-272-2861 or 212-202-4453.

---

Related offers:

What terrorists think when they're not terrorizing

Definitive work on Mideast – available only here!

"Everlasting Hatred: The Roots of Jihad"

"Israel in Crisis"

"Myths and Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict"

Perfect gift! Compass that points to Jerusalem

 

 

---

Previous stories:

Rice to Israel: Tear down anti-terror roadblocks

Bombed residents to prime minister: Quit now

Report: Olmert offers Golan Heights to Syria

Embattled Olmert reaching out to Syria?

Olmert sent soldiers 'needlessly' to their deaths?

Olmert's government will fall, says Jumblatt

Terrorist: Olmert's statements embolden us