One year after his assumption of the governmental leadership,
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Friday said that security and
peace were and will still be the major priorities of his
government.
During an interview with Xinhua in Jerusalem, Olmert recalled
the day a year ago, when he became the acting prime minister to
replace ailing Ariel Sharon.
"Actually today is exactly one year from the day I first time
sat at the head of the cabinet."
"I summoned the cabinet early morning on Jan. 5, 2006 to report
to the cabinet of the illness of Ariel Sharon," Olmert said. "So it
was a very significant and very special day for me and for the
people of Israel."
Olmert said that, from the very beginning of his premiership, he
knew there were two major priorities for him to strive for. "One is
security of our people, and another is to make every possible
effort to achieve peace between us and our neighbors," Olmert
said.
"Peace means security and security is the basis for the peace.
So these two issues were and still are the main priority for my
government."
Olmert, who replaced the ailing Arial Sharon in January 2006 as
acting prime minister, was sworn in as prime minister last May
after a victory in the general election.?
(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2007)
