January 29, 2003

Katsav calls on Mitzna to join government

By Greer Fay Cashman

President Moshe Katsav has called on Labor Party chairman Amram Mitzna to put aside his opposition to joining a Likud-led national unity government. Speaking at a press briefing at Beit Hanassi on Wednesday, Katsav stressed the need for national unity in the face of terrorism, economic unrest and social strife.

"The country is in such a crucial situation," he said, "that we must have a strong, stable, and united government as soon as possible."

Katsav intends to begin consultations on Monday with representatives of all the parties elected to the 16th Knesset, even before the final election results are published in the official gazette. He will not be involved in actual coalition negotiations, he said, "but I will use my influence to try to bring about a national-unity government."

Until official talks with the Palestinians are resumed, he said, political differences between the various parties are not relevant. "What is important is a united front against terrorism."

Asked whether he could envisage Shas and Shinui as partners in the same coalition government, Katsav replied: "You would be surprised how much they really have in common. If they and other parties concentrate on their commonalities rather than their differences, they will find a way to cooperate."

In response to a question on whether the threshold for entry to the Knesset should be changed, Katsav said that while this issue has support in many quarters, he would not like to see the smaller parties disappear from the political scene.

Disappointed by the low voter turn-out, Katsav advocated a study into the cause. "If it's apathy, it's not a legitimate reason. If it was a form of protest, it does have legitimacy," he said.

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