State Department Mum On Nature of Olmert Call

This was the last question of the day at today's State Department press briefing, presided over by Gordon Duguid, Acting Deputy Department Spokesman. (Note this is also a change, as the briefings since January 21st have been conducted by Robert Wood, Acting Spokesman.)

QUESTION: I got one, I got one.

MR. DUGUID: Oops. Here we go.

QUESTION: Secretary Clinton called Israeli Prime Minister Olmert yesterday?

MR. DUGUID: That is correct.

QUESTION: Accounts of the conversation vary. Some Israeli media report that she called to thank him for the release of – I believe it’s about $43 million to go to pay PA salaries in the Gaza Strip. Other accounts are that she had called to press him to release that money, which presumably is something the United States Government would support since it’s trying to bolster the Palestinian Authority, notably in Gaza.

So can you give us any detail on the substance of that call, whether it was just thanks for doing that or whether it was please do this?

MR. DUGUID: Accounts vary because the call was confidential and it will remain so with me.

Thank you. [SOURCE]

Note also that as of this writing, there is no video transcript of this press brief. It was also very short in comparison to most, odd considering the State Department has been very busy.

Something strikes me as a) odd about this press brief and b) it is related to the Olmert question. I don't know what it is. Just something. I'd bet it has something to do with coming Israeli elections where it is predicted anti-Arab hardliners are headed for a landslide. Prime Minister Olmert is leaving office soon, largely in disgrace, and it is predicted that peace efforts with the Arab world in general will take a nose dive with his exit.