Based on his discussion today with the Prime Minister of Israel, how does the administration think that his political troubles are going to affect the Mideast negotiations?
MR. HADLEY: Well, there’s obviously a legal process that is going on in Israel involving the Prime Minister; there is obviously a political process that is going on, as well. And we’re going to have to see how those sort out. I think it’s interesting that Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas met on Monday to continue the negotiations on an Israeli-Palestinian peace. They have indicated that they want to continue to have those negotiations. It is, after all, a position — in terms of the Israeli side, these are negotiations entered into by Prime Minister Olmert certainly, but on behalf of the government. It involves participation by other ministers in this process — Foreign Minister Livni and Defense Minister Barak. So at this point we follow the lead of the parties, and the parties have indicated that they want to continue this process. And we will, of course, support them in that effort, because I think it is one that both the people of Israel and the Palestinians understand can
