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Olmert orders inquiry into war
28/08/2006 22:46 - (SA)
Jerusalem - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert announced an inquiry into the Lebanon war, but
stopped short on Monday of ordering an independent investigation.
Olmert's choice avoids the prospect of high-level
resignations which an independent probe could have brought.
"The government, headed by myself, will appoint an
investigative committee," Olmert said in a speech in the
northern city of Haifa, which was hit frequently by rockets
during the 34-day war against Hezbollah.
"The committee will be charged with examining the
government's functioning in taking decisions and all that it
sees as fit."
Olmert has been facing calls to launch a thorough,
independent probe into the army's preparedness for the Lebanon
conflict, the government's conduct of the war and failure to
crush the Lebanese group. Internal probe
But, Olmert said he did not wish to expose the army, heavily
criticised for its performance, to a full-blooded and drawn-out
inquiry. Instead, the military would have to carry out its own
internal probe, he said.
Olmert emphasised that the decision to go to war had been
his alone, and admitted to shortcomings in how the war had been
pursued.
Initially, Israeli officials had talked about the
conflict lasting just a matter of days, not more than a month.
"I want to make one thing clear, the responsibility for the
decision to go to war... is entirely mine," he said.
"I know there are controversies about the degree of success
that perhaps was due to early expectations."
A ceasefire to the conflict came into effect on August 14,
since when there have been minor skirmishes, but no full
outbreak of fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah.
Olmert has said that Israeli troops will withdraw from
the area only once the international force and Lebanese troops are in place.
- Reuters
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