Times interview with Ehud Olmert (August 2nd)

The Times interview with Ehud Olmert: full transcript
A full and frank exchange between the Israeli Prime Minister and The Times's Middle East Correspondent Stephen Farrell in Jerusalem, August 2, 2006

(...)

Q: Does he ever mention that he is under domestic pressure? You know that world opinion is leaning one way and Mr Bush and Mr Blair seem to be your two strongest allies.

A: I think that Mr Blair is sensitive enough not to say to me that which is obvious to every outside observer anyway. Mr Blair is a man of integrity. He stands by his principles and by his convictions and that is why he is so popular here and that is why I respect him so much.

(...)

Q: There is a perception that if President Bush rang you and told you to stop that you would respond. Are the Americans and yourselves completely eye to eye on the way things are progressing?

A: First of all, the President is very supportive. I don’t think relations between Israel and America is established on the basis that we get orders from the administration. I don’t know about it and I have not experienced it myself and I doubt that I every will. But it is fair to say that the relations between Israel and America are much broader than just a staunch support and a deep commitment from the President himself. Look at the Congress, the House and the Senate.......

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2296832,00.html

I wonder if he is genuinely mad.