Olmert stands by his version of Rice flap

International Herald Tribune ^ | January 14, 2009 | n/c

[BlackVeil]

JERUSALEM: Aides say Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stands by his claim that he caused the U.S. to abstain from a U.N. resolution calling for a halt in Gaza fighting. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice negotiated the resolution. Olmert claimed earlier this week that he humiliated Rice by persuading U.S. President Bush to instruct her not to vote for it. Rice spokesman Sean McCormack has called Olmert's claims "100-percent, totally, completely not true." But on Wednesday, Olmert aides said the Israeli leader told the story as it happened. ...

[allmost]

Idiot is the word that comes to mind.

[GeronL]

She negotiated the resolution and then had to vote against it. lol.

[allmost]

I was referring to Olmert, but Condi fits the description as of late...

[BlackVeil]

My impression is that Olmert is giving Bush and Rice a public serve - making them look like his servants - because he knows he does not need them any more. Soon, it will be a different President whom he calls off a podium, to have his instructions.

And yet ... you know ... and yet. Olmert is not being wise. Pride goes before a fall. Boasting does not really impress anyone.

[allmost]

As far as politicizing this; I could give a rat’s a$$. A liar is liar though and olmert is acting like a genuine POS with this IMO.

[bluejay]

> Idiot is the word that comes to mind.

My thought as well.

[sobieski]

Yeah, and if you mention the Israel Lobby having some influence then you are a lying anti semite.

[M. Dodge Thomas]

Well, sooner or later American politicians are going to have to start acknowledging the fact that while the US may be required provide moral economic and political support to Israel due to domestic political circumstances in both countries, support of Israel is a huge strategic liability for the United States - probably, the biggest such liability we've incurred in our history.

IMO, both countries will be better off long-term as they gradually come to terms with the problem.

[sobieski]

The US government not ‘required’ to provide anything to any other country, actually. What it is required to do is take only actions that are in the US interest. The sort of behavior Olmert described, and our abstaining from our own resolution, does not fit that standard. I agree w/ you, that is unhealthy for both and we must gradually come to terms with that problem.