HEADLINES
Israeli hospitals told to complete sealing process of wards and facilities by Monday morning. Sunday noon, Israel?s First-Aid rescue service Magen David Adom moved command and communications centers to bomb-proof shelters
DEBKAfile?s Military Sources: Full-scale US-British offensive against Iraq is scheduled to begin Monday, 24 hours after Azores summit
First stage: Combined bomber-missile strikes against strategic targets, including government centers, military and civilian communications systems, radio and television broadcasting centers, transport hubs.
Preparations wind up Sunday night to fly and parachute ground troops into Iraq from launching bases in and outside Middle East. US 82nd Airborne Division will be flown in from Afghanistan
At Azores summit, Blair promised Bush British 1st armored division would take part in assault on Basra, vitally augmenting allied southern advance
World has another 24 hours to see if diplomacy will work ? Bush at end of Azores summit Sunday with British and Spanish prime ministers. Three leaders declared Security Council Resolution 1441 provided last opportunity for Saddam Hussein to disarm or face serious consequences.
They issued final appeal to international community to issue last strong, unified ultimatum for Saddam?s immediate unconditional disarmament. Bush: He can avert war by leaving Iraq.
Blair pledges protection of Iraq?s territorial integrity. He declared natural resources will remain property of people of Iraq
Earlier Sunday, Chirac's proposal of 30-day deadline for arms inspections rejected instantly by US vice president Cheney: Further delay helps no-one but Saddam Hussein
DEBKAfile Exclusive from Iraqi underground sources: Attempt on life of Saddam?s elder son Uday was made on March 8 at al-Jadariya Boating Club on Tigris River. He is believed to have escaped with injuries from this second assassination attempt, but his three bodyguards were killed.
DEBKA-Net-Weekly reveals: Also on March 8, former Lebanese president Gemayel took US colonel to Saddam?s palace on secret mission to persuade him to leave and prevent war:
If you don?t leave, we?ll target you,? said US Colonel. Saddam replied:?I?ll send you home in a box? and ?I?m not afraid to die.? Read resume of conversation and Gemayel mission below
Saddam puts Iraq on war footing day Bush meets British and Spanish premiers for emergency summit in Portuguese Azores. Takes personal command of air and surface-surface missile forces. Four military districts ordered to ?destroy any foreign aggression?. Younger son Qusay in command of Baghdad
High terror alert prompts Israel?s closure of Palestinian areas Saturday midnight, 24 hours before Jewish Purim festival begins night of March 17
IDF investigate death of 23-year American activist Rachel Corrie in Gaza Strip town of Rafah whom Palestinian sources say was run over blocking a military bulldozer as it flattened Palestinian sniping positions. A group of peace protesters has been impeding Israel efforts to clear terrain of firing positions.
Pakistan claims to have arrested another prominent al Qaeda member, Moroccan national Yasir al-Jazeeri, in Lahore, together with computer and discs
First giant US B-1 bombers hit Iraqi radar, open up western warfront to ground invasion
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