Barak mulls ultimatum to Olmert: quit, or I walk

Source: Al-Manar, 28-05-2008
Following consultations late Tuesday night, 'Israeli' War Minister Ehud Barak is seriously considering presenting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with an ultimatum on Wednesday: Either the premier resigns, or Labor will put out of the coalition, thus forcing new elections.
'Israeli' Channel 1 first reported on the matter late Tuesday, saying that Barak made his decision after consulting with advisers at his house.
However, the Labor chairman issued a statement soon after which denied that such consultations took place at his home, and that only after holding a meeting with Labor ministers and MKs early Wednesday morning would he actually make any decisions.
Barak is expected to convene a Labor faction meeting on Wednesday, during which the issue of an ultimatum will be brought up. Following the meeting, the Israeli defense minister is reportedly leaning towards holding a press conference, at which time he will present his decision.
The reports on Barak's decision come after a day in which New York financier Morris Talansky testified in court to giving Olmert envelopes of his own cash amounting to no less than $150,000.
Since details of the police investigation into Talansky's relationship with Olmert became public two weeks ago, politicians from the Right to the Left have called on the Israeli prime minister to resign.
Earlier on Tuesday, a Barak advisor told The Jerusalem Post that the Labor chairman was seriously considering using the theme of "cleaner governance" as a main issue in his campaign.