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Politics : WAR on Terror. Will it engulf the Entire Middle East? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Scoobah who wrote (740)	11/29/2001 7:42:35 AM
From: Scoobah	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 32591

Senior Israeli security officials believe that if the United States would attack Iraq, threatening the stability of Saddam Hussein's regime, he would respond by launching a chemical or biological attack on Israel. "If attacked, Iraq is liable to launch missiles and planes against Israel," said Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon in a lecture on Monday. Security officials believe that due to its shortage of long-range missiles and launchers, estimated at no more than five launchers and some 50 missiles, Iraq could send pilots on suicide missions towards Israel in planes armed with unconventional weapons. During the 1991 Gulf War, Saddam fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel, all armed with conventional explosives. Military analysts believe that Iraq now has very limited surface-to-surface missile capabilities. According to American intelligence reports, Iraq has recently resumed missile deployment exercises, hinting at its possible response if attacked. The IDF General Staff this week discussed the various scenarios that could follow an American strike on Iraq. Security officials assume that the attack on Iraq could occur in two or three months, when military actions in Afghanistan are completed. The brainstorming came following President George W. Bush's warning on Monday that Hussein must allow arms inspectors back into the country "to prove to the world he's not developing weapons of mass destruction.'' Iraq isn't afraid of American threats and is ready to defend itself against any attack, Iraq's Ambassador to the UN said the following day. Israel did not respond to the Iraqi attacks during the Gulf War, bending to American pressure not to break up the American coalition lined up against Saddam. The situation is different now, said MK Moshe Arens (Likud), who served as defense minister during the 1991 war. Arens referred to Israel's Arrow anti-missile system, developed together with the United States. "I think Israel can be pleased that the U.S. is turning its attention to a danger which faces not only Israel, but also the entire world," Arens told Israel Radio, referring to Saddam's attempts to acquire non-conventional weapons.