Lebanon war probe to be released on January 30

[bemildred]

The Winograd Commission probing the conduct of the Second Lebanon War announced on Sunday that it would present its final conclusions on Wednesday, January 30.

The panel also said it would send the findings to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert prior to a final release to the public.

The committee, chaired by retired Justice Eliyahu Winograd, was formed to investigate the conduct of the Israel Defense Forces and the political echelon during the Second Lebanon War. A preliminary report was issued by the committee in April and contained harsh criticism of Olmert, former defense minister Amir Peretz and former IDF chief of staff Dan Halutz.

It also outlined a series of failures on the part of the Home Front Command.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/942048.html

[Scurrilous]

1. Olmert might be forced to resign, says Kadima official

Senior ruling party source says Kadima likely to opt for replacing Olmert if Winograd war report's conclusions do not allow him to remain in office. 'Early elections are out of the question, Livni or Mofaz can replace him in post,' he states

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3491240,00.html

<snip>

"As the release of Winograd Commission's final report on the Second Lebanon War approaches, speculations in the political arena are mounting and MKs begin preparing for the report's aftermath.

A senior Kadima official told Ynet Monday that many in the faction have already agreed to promote the election of a new chairman in case the report's conclusions do not allow Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to remain in office.

"The members agree that early elections are out of the question," he said. "If the final report does not allow Olmert to continue in his position, we will have to elect a new chairman that will replace him as prime minister."

The senior official stated that Olmert was expected to resign if the report indicated that he should do so. "There is no reason why we should go to early elections. There are good forces in Kadima that can contend over leadership, such as (Foreign Minister Tzipi) Livni and (Transportation Minister Shaul) Mofaz."

[Scurrilous]

2. Winograd Commission member: Report could topple government

As publication of final report on Second Lebanon War draws near, commission member tells Ynet report's conclusions could have dramatic ramifications for Israeli political system

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3495543,00.html

<snip>

"The final report of the Winograd Commission is expected to be dramatic and decisive," a member on the commission told Ynet Thursday, ahead of the report's publication in two weeks' time.

The member also stated that the report could have "drastic ramifications" for the political system, and could even lead to a toppling of the government.

The commission's spokesman refused to comment on the statements at this point."

<snip>

"While the commission said it would not include individual recommendations in its conclusions, the member stated that the report would contain "difficult findings" regarding the deaths of 33 soldiers during the final operation of the war. These conclusions, he said, "will, at the very least, move up the general elections."

[ProgressiveMuslim]

3. Perfectly timed with GWB's new "demands." nt