PA Chairman Abbas endorses Olmert in Knesset elections

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Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said that he endorses Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the Knesset elections on March 28.

In an interview published Wednesday in Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Abbas said that Olmert's victory would be a positive outcome for the ballot.

"We'll respect the will of the Israeli people," he told the paper, adding, "I hope Olmert wins."

"I know him well. I believe that with him we could work in a productive way," said Abbas, who is widely known as Abu Mazen.

Haaretz

[Wordie]

1. That's somewhat surprising, isn't it?

On first glance, one would think that it would be Peretz who he would endorse. Of course, it seems to me I've also read that Peretz has made a few more hawkish statements lately, so maybe Abbas was non-plussed by that.

Or, more likely, Abbas probably believes Olmert will be the one to be elected (the polls are saying this too), and this endorsement is an effort to establish a positive relationship with him. The article quotes Abbas as calling Peres "an old friend," which also seems just a bit odd.

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2. I was mostly interested in why he did it.

It seemed a bit odd that he felt called on to make an endorsement at all. But one can only speculate.

[Tom Joad]

3. Speculate no more. Abbas did no such thing.

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060309/1005870.asp

Late Wednesday, Abbas' office issued a statement saying he had been misunderstood. It said Abbas told the reporter, "I would be happy to negotiate with Olmert if the polls are correct," and he did not endorse anyone. Kadima maintains a wide lead in the polls.

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4. Translation is such a tricky business.

All these little nuances to consider.