A CONVERSATION WITH EHUD OLMERT

The position they took over the fighting in Lebanon, which was very courageous. In the past, the Saudis have expressed some ideas about a possible solution in the Middle East.

You're hinting that this might be another route for working with the Palestinians -- via Jordan and other moderate Arab countries?

We have to change the balance in the Middle East and the position of the radical elements of Palestinian society. I hope that with the joint efforts of Israel and America on the one side and the moderate Arab countries on the other side, something can be worked out that will help the more moderate elements within Palestinian society, led by Abu Mazen, to take over and establish the necessary conditions for a fruitful dialogue with us.

Has the United States asked you to release Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti from prison, and would you consider doing that?

I am ready to release many, many prisoners. I made it clear long ago that I am anxious to open up a new dialogue with Abu Mazen, and for that purpose, I'm ready to release many prisoners. Hamas's extreme inflexible attitude prevents the prisoners from being released because they refuse to let us have our soldier [kidnapped Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit]. . . . Hamas is not really interested in the well-being of its prisoners. They want to topple Abu Mazen at any cost.

You brought [Avigdor] Lieberman into your coalition. But people on the left perceive him as an extreme right-winger opposed to any kind of concessions with the Palestinians. Does he affect your position?

The policies of this government are not going to be changed and you can read my lips: I'm ready for territorial compromises, and I haven't changed my mind.

How do you see the threat posed by Iran?

This is the first time in many years that the official leader of a major nation with more than 70 million citizens has talked publicly and officially of the liquidation of another nation that is a member of the United Nations. [Iranian President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad is a man who is ready to commit crimes against humanity, and he has to be stopped.

When Hitler began to talk about the liquidation of the Jewish race, people heard it. But they hardly did anything to stop it. And then for generations, nations and leaders had to explain why they didn't speak up. So we have to have a world campaign to emphasize the moral commitment that no one will be able to ignore what he says and what the possible ramifications may be.

There is also the process of negotiations. My position is clear: If there can be a compromise that will stop Iran short of crossing the technological threshold that will lead them into nuclear capabilities, we will be for such a compromise. But I don't believe that Iran will accept such compromise unless they have a very good reason to fear the consequences of not reaching it. In other words: Iran must start to fear.

Will you talk with Bush about Iran?