Sharon Denies Alleged Bribery, Saying Getting Money Legally

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, January 10, 2003

Sharon Denies Alleged Bribery, Saying Getting Money Legally

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Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon denied on Thursday night the alleged bribery scandal againsthim, saying that the 1.5 million US dollars he received from a South African businessman was borrowed legally with interests.

Addressing a special press conference at his Jerusalem office, Sharon said his sons borrowed the money from businessman Cyril Kern, who is "my life-long friend" at an accepted rate of interests.

"I don't know exactly what happened with the whole affair, it was dealt with by my sons, but was dealt with honestly, and I am sure that my sons' business is legal," Sharon was quoted by Israel TV as saying.

Sharon's remark was in response to a report Tuesday by the Ha'aretz Daily, which said the prime minister received the illegal contribution from Kern via a low-interest loan to a company held bySharon's two sons.

The press conference broadcasted via TVs and radios was utilizedby Sharon to attack the Labor Party, his Likud's major rival for the coming general elections.

"The Labor is irresponsible for the State of Israel, especially on the eve of war in Iraq and during war on terror ... It is attacking me personally as if there was no crisis in Iraq, as if the world was not about to go to war," Sharon said.

"The party is also trying to make the Likud seem like Mafia, like criminals, all for political purposes ... (Labor's Chairman Amram) Mitzna will not do anything, has never done anything," Sharon added.

Sharon informed his advisors Wednesday night that he decided to deliver a public statement on the scandal, which he dismissed as a "despicable political plot" designed to topple him.

Sources in the Likud said late Wednesday night that "only a dramatic move" could stop the party's dramatic slide in the polls and win back voters who have abandoned the party.

A poll published Thursday in the Ha'aretz Daily showed Likud maywin 27 parliament seats, as opposed to 41 seats four weeks ago, while Labor, Likud's major rival for the elections, would get 24 seats in the elections due on Jan. 28.

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