A rchive Date
[ 09-11-2002 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Israel ]
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[http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2002/11/08/3949-ap.html
Israel supports Iraq resolution
Fri, November 8, 2002
JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel expressed backing for the Iraq resolution passed by the U.N. Security Council on Friday and praised President Bush for pushing it through the United Nations, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu said, "Israel supports the U.N. Security Council resolution on the Iraqi issue, and values the determination of President Bush in leading the process," according to ministry spokesman Ron Prosor. He declined to comment further.
Ranaan Gissin, a spokesman for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, declined to comment.
The Security Council voted 15-0 on a resolution to force Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to disarm or face "consequences" that would almost certainly mean war. The vote followed eight weeks of talks and was seen as a victory for the United States, which drafted the resolution with Britain.
Israel officials believe there is a high probability Iraq will fire Scud missiles on Israel in response to a U.S. strike on Saddam. Iraq rained 39 missiles on Israel in the 1991 Gulf War, causing extensive damage but few casualties.
Today Israel believes that Saddam has fewer missiles, but they could have chemical or biological warheads - unlike conventional warheads used in the Gulf War.
Israeli officials have said they believe the U.S. attack on the Baghdad regime is no longer in doubt, and have been gearing up its preparations for a possible Israeli strike.
Israel presented its new Arrow anti-missile batteries to reporters on Thursday, which are billed as its leading defense against a potential Scud attack.
In recent months, Israel has conducted many exercises to prepare for a worst-case scenario - a chain-reaction attack by Iraq, the Palestinians, Israeli Arabs, the Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas or even Syria at the same time.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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