Olmert under fire over Lebanon war

JERUSALEM – Israel’s main government watchdog accused Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday of foot-dragging in answering questions raised in an investigation of civil defence deficiencies in last year’s Lebanon war.

The probe, along with a separate inquiry into conduct of the 34-day conflict with Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerrillas and a series of corruption investigations against Olmert, could determine his political future. “We ran into difficulties obtaining information we needed from the prime minister,” State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss told a parliamentary committee in televised remarks that opened a new round in his public sparring with Olmert.”We have yet to receive answers to a questionnaire.The questionnaire has 12 questions that need answering – we need answers about the home front,” he testified at the hearing about his investigation, saying he saw “no reason” for the delay.Lindenstrauss’ final findings, which he said would be ready in about four months, could set the bar for the separate government-appointed commission of jurists examining the way the military and Olmert’s cabinet waged the war.Olmert’s popularity plunged after the fighting ended inconclusively in a ceasefire in August.Nampa-Reuters”We ran into difficulties obtaining information we needed from the prime minister,” State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss told a parliamentary committee in televised remarks that opened a new round in his public sparring with Olmert.”We have yet to receive answers to a questionnaire.The questionnaire has 12 questions that need answering – we need answers about the home front,” he testified at the hearing about his investigation, saying he saw “no reason” for the delay.Lindenstrauss’ final findings, which he said would be ready in about four months, could set the bar for the separate government-appointed commission of jurists examining the way the military and Olmert’s cabinet waged the war.Olmert’s popularity plunged after the fighting ended inconclusively in a ceasefire in August.Nampa-Reuters