Bush sympathy call irks Israelis

JERUSALEM -- As doctors waited for ailing Israeli leader Ariel Sharon to open his eyes Thursday, President Bush stirred the political pot with a phone call to acting prime minister Ehud Olmert -- a move that infuriated Olmert's political rivals in the upcoming elections.

Bush called to convey his concern for Sharon, but the gesture was immediately seen as political meddling.

"I wanted to tell you that our hearts are with Ariel Sharon, his family, his friends and all the people of Israel," Bush said, according to a statement released by Olmert's office. "We know this is a difficult time for you, and whatever I can do to help I will."

The call, coupled with speculation that Bush will soon invite Olmert to Washington, prompted immediate griping.

"Aside from saying 'Go vote Sharon,' they did everything else," said Yitzhak Herzog, a senior Labor Party minister. "It is not proper and not appropriate; it is a crossing of red lines. I suggest to our friends in the United States to understand that we are in an election campaign and not to interfere."

Polls show Olmert is likely to be elected prime minister in the March balloting.

His rivals worry he is benefiting from the sympathy factor and a campaign that was suspended by Sharon's stroke last week is back up and running.

Meanwhile, Sharon continued to show small signs of improvement, doctors said.

A slight rapid heartbeat was caught and calmed with drugs. A new IV was inserted in his arm to ease the delivery of liquids and medications. A tube used to drain fluid from his brain was removed because there is no longer any fluid to drain. But as the nation waited to learn the extent of his brain damage, all eyes were on Sharon's.

"One of the most important stages in the process is opening the eyes," Dr. Jose Cohen, one of Sharon's surgeons, told Israel TV. "Most patients open their eyes within the first three weeks. The sooner they open their eyes, the better."

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