ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, February 24, 1997 TAG: 9702250027
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: JERUSALEM
SOURCE: Associated Press
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under questioning in an alleged influence-trading scandal that could bring down his government, has hired one of Israel's top criminal lawyers to represent him, the lawyer confirmed Sunday.
As the scandal spread, the opposition Labor Party prepared for the possibility of early elections.
Netanyahu, who was in Jordan on Sunday, reportedly has been warned by police that he could face criminal charges in connection with the short-lived appointment of a political crony as attorney general. He has denied any wrongdoing.
``Not only is the prime minister not tainted with any criminal act, he has not committed so much as a particle of a criminal act,'' Netanyahu's new attorney, Yaacov Weinroth, said.
Police Minister Avigdor Kahalani, a leading ally in Netanyahu's government coalition, said Saturday that the scandal could bring down the government.
But Netanyahu said he was certain he would see his term through to the next scheduled vote in 2000.
``I intend to continue to lead the state of Israel,'' he said in Jordan. ``I heard the [opposition] is getting ready for new elections. I have good advice for you: `Wait. You have a good four years left in the opposition.'''
Netanyahu was questioned last week about allegations that Arieh Deri, leader of the religious Shas party, made his party's support for last month's Hebron agreement conditional on the appointment of a Jerusalem lawyer, Roni Bar-On, as attorney general.
Deri is being tried on corruption charges, and Israel Television reported that Bar-On was to arrange a plea bargain in exchange for his appointment.
The station said Deri threatened Netanyahu that unless Bar-On was appointed, Deri would withdraw Shas's vote for Israel's agreement to hand over most of the West Bank city of Hebron to the Palestinians.
Netanyahu and Deri have denied any such conspiracy. Bar-On resigned one day after his appointment amid criticism he was chosen only because of his political ties.
Israeli media, citing police sources, reported last week that police believe they have enough evidence to bring charges against at least one senior government official.
According to Israel Radio, police and prosecution sources said Netanyahu was warned that he might face criminal charges after he evaded difficult questions and his testimony contradicted that of other witnesses. It was the first time an Israeli prime minister was questioned by police as a suspect in a criminal case, the radio said.
Weinroth met Sunday with State Attorney Edna Arbel to complain about the leaks in the case. ``The prime minister, like any citizen, is entitled to a fair investigation, not an investigation accompanied by leaks,'' he said.
Labor Party Secretary-General Nissim Zvilli called a meeting of party officials Sunday night to begin planning for the possibility that the government might fall, in which case new elections would have to be held within 60 days.
``The Labor Party is a big, heavy organization, and it takes time to get going,'' Zvilli said, ``and that is why I am holding this preliminary meeting.''
Several Cabinet ministers and other officials have been questioned in connection with the scandal, including Avigdor Lieberman, director-general of the prime minister's office, Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert, Justice Minister Tsahi Hanegbi and Finance Minister Dan Meridor.
Industry Minister Natan Sharansky said that if it turned out anyone in the government had even known about the alleged deal, ``this government will certainly have no right to exist.''
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