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Show DAILY Thursday, July 31, 2008 HERALD AJ Israeli P.M. resigns amid corruption allegations Marktavie ter Riad Malki said Olmert's set another round with Turkish duck Israeli leader, the prosPossibly hinting at his exdecision would not change mediation for August. pect of Netanyahu lurking in pectation of being in power Israeli political analyst Yossi the wings could propel them for some time, Olmert pledged much. "It's true that Olmert JERUSALEM was enthusiastic about the His voice . to work for peace "as long as forward despite the fluid politiAlpher said Olmert's resignashook with anger as he blasted I am in my position," and said peace process, and he spoke tion would at least slow down cal situation. his critics, charging that the In Washington, White House the process. that talks with Palestinians and about this process with great main goal of their investiga"The Arabs are asking them- spokesman Gordon Johndroe Syria are "closer than ever" to attention, but this process has not achieved any progress or tions was to bring him down. selves how useful an agreesaid President Bush called Olachieving understandings. But in the end; Ehud Olmert But the internal turmoil mert on Wednesday to pledge ment with Olmert would be, breakthrough," Malki added. He said the Palestinians would faced the inevitable. could make it difficult for continued cooperation. because he is a self proclaimed deal with any Israeli govern"What is more important," lame duck, and he will have a Israeli political analyst Dan Olmert to close deals with eiment. he asked, "my personal justice ther the Palestinians or Syria, hard time to get his deals apMargalit, a longtime friend of ELiANA APONTEAP pool Olmert spoke as his delegaor the public good?" Olmert who recently fell from proved," Alpher said. agreements that have eluded tion to indirect talks with Syria Israeli Prime Minister Ehud He chose the latter. Olmert While neither the Palestinhis favor, called Olmert's decisuccessive Israeli leaders for ians nor Syria would be eager returned from their fourth announced Wednesday he will decades. sion to step down "a sad end to Olmert speaks in Jerusalem on Wednesday. round in Turkey. The two sides to close a deal with a lame- a miserable career." Palestinian Foreign Minis step down as Israel's premier, throwing his country into political turmoil and raising doubts about prospects for delicate peace efforts with both the Palestinians and Syria. Reading from a prepared text on a warm summer evening in the courtyard of his SEMI-ANNUA- L official Jerusalem residence, "I railed: was forced to Olmert defend myself against relentless attacks from 'fighters for justice' who sought to depose me from my position, when the ends sanctified all the means." Signaling an end to a long public career clouded throughout by corruption allegations, Olmert said he would not run in his party's primary election, set for Sept. 17, and would step down afterward to allow his HURRY IN TODAY, JULY 31 THROUGH AUGUST 5 WHILE SUPPLIES LAST successor to form a governMacy's Cardpass discount doesn't apply of ment. Because Israel's political system, he could serve until well into next year. Olmert's popularity dropped below 20 percent at one point after his bloody but inconcluT-s11 sive war in Lebanon in 2006, kL and a string of corruption allegations and police interrogations have battered him in recent months. Political analysts here had been predicting his resignation for weeks as details of the latest allegations against him dominated local news. " X The most damaging probe SPECIAL 16.99 , . focuses on Morris Talansky, a SPECIAL 27.99 If Only at Macy's Tools of the Trade Basics American Jewish e Black and Decker I nonstick chef's pan. Aluminum ""m.r jLsZ' businessman who testified he Classic. Toasts, bakes and broils. . construction with helper handle and iff :; handed envelopes stuffed with Reg. 49.99, sale 39.99. glass lid. Reg. $40, sale 19.99. tens of thousands of dollars in cash to Olmert before he became prime minister, in part financing a luxurious lifestyle of expensive hotels and fat cigars. In an unusual legal procedure, Talansky gave lengthy public testimony for days in a Jerusalem courtroom, defending his allegations in by Olmert's attorneys. Olmert has never been formally charged with a crime. The sight of the white-haire- d Talansky fidgeting on the SPFflAI 110QQ witness stand hour after hour Lenox SPECIAL 39.99 expanded Esquire did not add polish to Olmert's YOUR CHOICE flatware service for 12. Includes Henckels International Eversharp image. SCR503. Rival 49.99, sale 39.99. with f Reg. wooden $285, and steak knives, The latest allegation was storage caddy. Reg. cutlery set. Six kitchen 6608. Reg. 49.99, sale 39.99. blender with Or, Oster jar. glass sale 159.99. sale 59.99. block. $75, that Olmert double- - and triple-bille- d Reg. storage trips abroad to Jewish institutions, pocketing the differ, ence or financing trips for his relatives. Other affairs include a shady real estate deal and questionable political appointments all before he became premier. : His decision not to run in the H Kadima Party primary sets in motion a process to choose a new prime minister. Main candidates in his party are Foreign 1 Minister Tzipi Livni and TransSPECIAL 44.99 port Minister Shaul Mofaz, a former defense minister and at Macy's Any size Martha Stewart IOnly i Collection comforter. SPECIAL 39.99 military chief of staff. Polls show Livni with an count cotton Faux Bois reversible : TS7? fr-Only at Macy's TWO Vj? cover and polyester filL Twin"km9' advantage in the primary. If set' 250 thread count cotton she were to replace Olmert, sale 59.99. sale Reg. Re9she would become the second kU female prime minister in Israeli history, after Golda Meir. If Olmert's successor as party leader can form a coalition, Israel could have a new government in October. If not, an election campaign could take several months. Olmert would remain in office until a new premier is chosen, heading a caretaker government after he submits his resignation to President Shimon Peres. The process SPECIAL 60 OFF Urm ...ir. ,.- - mi could extend into 2009. All size SPECIAL Travelpro luggage. Includes 6.99 any Israel's labyrinthine politiWalkAbourLite2,Crew7and Wamsutta pillow. SET KING Stripe is Signature cal system weighted against QUEEN OR Platinum 5 collections. count cotton cover and j a quick internal Kadima room ensemble: Jacquard comforter, bedskirt, 200- Only at Macy's Versailles sale 1 or fill. Reg. king. with crisis Standardqueen decorative the to resolution polyester pillows thread count sheet set', two standard shams, two euro shams, two , THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WE OM SA RED HOT SPECIALS fi:' JkL four-slic- .XlML ?! ff n 24.99 SPECIAL 65-p- Crock-Po- r. 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