Olmert seeks to resume talks with Palestinians

IN his first policy statement since becoming Israel’s acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert said that he wants to resume final peace talks with the Palestinians and take harsh action against Israeli squatters in the West Bank - a sign the front-runner in Israel’s March 28 election is ready for bold steps to end the conflict.

But Mr Olmert took a tough stand against Iran, saying Israel “under no circumstances”, will allow it to go nuclear.

The comments by Mr Olmert, 60, carry special weight because of a widespread assumption among Israelis that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who suffered a devastating stroke on January 4, will never return to power and that Mr Olmert will replace him. Hospital officials reported no change in Mr Sharon’s condition yesterday, critical, stable and comatose.