Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., June 25, 2008 Sivan 22, 5768 | | Israel Time: 18:30 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 17:21 25/06/2008 Olmert's bureau denies asking to delay declaration on fate of seized troops By Amos Harel, Barak Ravid, Jack Khoury and Yossi Melman Tags: abducted Israeli soldiers  Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi has rejected the prime minister's request to delay temporarily the process of declaring the soldiers abducted by Hezollah as fallen in battle, military officials said Wednesday. The officials said that toward the end of a Knesset meeting, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asked whether it would be possible to freeze the process he had instructed the IDF chief rabbi to open. Ashkenazi had responded that not only was it not possible, but also not advisable to stop the proceedings in the middle. Advertisement Olmert's bureau, however, denied having asked for the freeze at all. The prime minister recently instructed Rabbi Major General Avi Ronsky to begin the process of declaring the soldiers as fallen in battle, despite ongoing third-party negotiations with Hezbollah. Shlomo Goldwasser, whose son Ehud and comrade Eldad Regev were abducted by the Lebanese-based guerilla organization in 2006, said earlier Wednesday that the process to declare the two as fallen soldiers has been suspended, at least until after a cabinet vote Sunday on a mooted prisoner swap. Goldwasser told Army Radio that the process had not been frozen "in any formal capacity, but from what I have heard, in practice the process is on hold pending the cabinet decision." Goldwasser said that the decision made sense, as "there is no point in such a move when there are ongoing negotiations." The Tuesday revelation that the intelligence agencies concluded three weeks ago that the two are dead sparked accusations that Olmert's instruction to the chief rabbi was politically motivated. But Ehud Goldwasser's wife, Karnit, denied Wednesday that the process had been frozen, claiming that the families had requested that it be done in a thorough manner and not rushed. "We are talking about a very sensitive course of action and we are dealing with crucial decisions here," she said. "We asked that the process be carried out with judgment and by looking at all of the factors, without acting in haste and without making a rash decision. "We have waited two years so far, and therefore it is possible to be prudent and conduct the investigation with the required sensitivity. This process will take time. Therefore it is impossible to say that the process has been halted, but it will now be carried out slowly and with discretion." Goldwasser said that in the coming days, the families would continue to take part in consultations, with the objective of ensuring government approval for the deal at Sunday's debate. Related articles: Cabinet set for Hezbollah swap vote; Olmert stance uncertain Families of soldiers snatched by Hezbollah: 'We've waited long enough' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Gilad's tale VIDEO: U.S. kids read abducted soldier's story of co-existence. Leaving Torah behind Study finds religion is not very important to American Jews.   1.   How about declaring Kuntar provisionally dead? 17:15  |  17 25/06/08   2.   It is all spin; not a honest word from this government 18:18  |  Pervert 25/06/08

Read & React Jihad threatens to continue rocket attacks, despite truce Responses: 113 Rosner's Guest: Israel was wrong on Hezbollah war, wrong on Gaza restraint Responses: 36 Attempted coup splits Hamas military wing in two Responses: 62 Olmert: Top priority is to bring home seized troops Responses: 22 Top Saudi official: Ball in Israel's court if it wants peace with us Responses: 27 Rosner's Domain Guest: Not going to war in Gaza - erroneous choice One out of five Israelis wants out (WTR) Religion is not very important to American Jews Poll: exchange deal with Hezbollah, good or bad? Why do non-Jewish Americans support Israel? More Headlines 18:11 'Israel's top priority is to bring home seized troops' 18:06 Olmert: Opposition rejects coalition's agenda of peace 15:22 Top Saudi official: Ball in Israel's court if it wants peace with us 14:27 Jihad threatens to continue rocket attacks, despite truce 18:18 Jerusalem welcomes flashy new addition to city of ancient relics 16:56 Tajikistan's Jews despair as only synagogue razed 15:53 Ex-Likud MK Omri Sharon completes prison sentence 14:24 'Attack on Paris Jewish teen may be linked to ongoing gang feud' 13:55 Ben Gurion Airport stages mass aviation disaster drill 17:21 Olmert's bureau denies asking to delay declaration on fate of seized troops 15:36 Egypt finds seven smuggling tunnels, arms cache near Gaza border 08:46 Attempted coup splits Hamas military wing in two Previous Editions Select Day 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun

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