Not just a report, a friend as well (James A. Baker)

[bemildred]

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The first responses to the report are not at all encouraging, especially the comments made in "Olmert's vicinity." "There is no cause for concern," responded the autistic vicinity, which remains unmoved. "The sky hasn't fallen down on us," reports the prime minister's bureau, noting that "Israel is mentioned in only three of the 79 recommendations, and in any case the president won't adopt the recommendations."

Did the officials from the prime minister's bureau not read the report? Did they read it but fail to understand? Is the Israeli government completely out of touch with the altered political situation in America? Will a faltering president who managed to get rid of his good friend Donald (Rumsfeld) and his eager servant John (Bolton) have any trouble shaking off the blind man on his back, if his sole desire is to save himself from the Iraqi curse? If all he wants now is to save his name from the wrath of history, lurking in wait for him in a dark corner?

An earthquake is taking place in Washington, and Jerusalem doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. One gets the impression that it is not Nasrallah who has been hiding in a bunker since the war, but Olmert, who has not been exposed to what is clear as the light of day.

After the designated secretary of defense, Robert Gates, warned this week against military action against Iran, confirmed the possibility of a nuclear attack on Israel and linked the Iranian nuclear program to Israel's, let us call out to Israel's prime minister: Olmert, Olmert, come out, call George on the telephone urgently and tell him: "Dear President, I haven't had time to have a first thought yet, but on second thought, this report isn't so terrible after all and Baker himself is not selling Israel down the river.

Haaretz

This fellow is a bit too elliptic is making his point, I think, but the point needs to be made.