Bush views Olmert as 'essential'

[bemildred]

US President George W Bush views Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as "essential" to Middle East peace efforts, the White House said overnight as Mr Olmert faced tough criticism over the Lebanon war.

Mr Bush "works very closely with prime minister Olmert and thinks that he's essential in working toward a two-state solution. The president remains committed to it", said spokesman Tony Snow.

Mr Snow declined to comment on a newly released Israeli government report that blamed Mr Olmert, Defence Minister Amir Peretz and former army chief Dan Halutz for the "serious failure" of on last summer's 34-day war.

"We're not going to comment on, obviously, internal investigations within the Israeli government," the spokesman said.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21651133-38198,00.html

[breakaleg]

1. What peace effort are they referring to? When was the last time these two did anything, together

or separate, to try to reach a peace agreement?

[laststeamtrain]

2. Bush gets Olmert confused w/ Netanyahu & peace efforts w/ war efforts

All them words & ideas & stuff are confusing.

[The Magistrate]

3. Perhaps, Sir

What is essential is the spectacle of someone less popular than he is in charge if a government....

[bemildred]

4. That is amusing.

I was thinking that this was the fatal blow that would finally force Olmert to resign. But it probably is just a matter of a favor being returned, honor among thieves so to speak.

[The Magistrate]

5. To Paraphrase An Old Feminist Line, Sir

Israel needs Olmert like a fish needs a bicycle.