Israeli PM Vows to Defend People if Attacked by Iraq

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 24, 2002

Israeli PM Vows to Defend People if Attacked by Iraq

Israel would know how to defend itself and its people if the Jewish country was attacked by Iraq during a possible US military strike, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Israel would know how to defend itself and its people if the Jewish country was attacked by Iraq during a possible US military strike, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday.

The prime minister, accompanied by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz,made a visit Monday morning to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) HomeFront Command base, in order to examine full-scale preparations conducted by the IDF for an Iraqi retaliation.

During the visit, Sharon said the danger of the Iraqi retaliation on Israel exists, but that Israeli civilians have nothing to worry about, "because our forces are excellent and well-equipped."

If the country was unfortunately attacked, it would know how to defend itself, Sharon added.

Earlier in the day, Mofaz told Israel Radio that the US-led military strike would be a risk for Israel, but the country has been more prepared than ever for an Iraqi retaliation.

According to the minister, Israel's level of preparedness is very good better than ever for the different scenarios that could develop from an American attack on Iraq.

The radio quoted Mofaz as saying that the government would decide at an appropriate time whether to begin a massive campaign to vaccinate the general population against smallpox.

There are an estimated 2 to 2.8 million people in Israel who have never been inoculated against smallpox. In addition, many others who received the vaccinations many years ago are probably nolonger protected against the potentially fatal disease.

The smallpox vaccine, which can cause side effects and complications, was routinely given to all children in the country until 1979 and to every soldier until 1996.

In an interview with Israel TV, IDF Spokesman Ruth Yaron said the public will receive a three-minute warning in the event of an Iraqi attack, giving civilians time to enter protected areas.

The IDF is prepared for all possible scenarios, including a non-conventional missile attack, and protective masks are adequate protection, the spokesman said.

According to reports of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had a secret plan to use biological weapons against Israel in the first stage of the 1991 Gulf War, but was unable to carry the plan out.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Sharon Unveils Likud List for Israel's Jan. 28 Elections

Israel Keeps Ban on Arafat for Christmas Mass in Bethlehem

Zhu, Schroeder to be on Maiden Trip of China's First Maglev Train ( 2 Messages)

Chinese-made Electric Locomotive Hits Record Speed ( 2 Messages)

Analysis: The Rise of China -- a Threat or an Opportunity? ( 7 Messages)

US-Japan Missile Defense Cooperation Worries China ( 28 Messages)

Japan Wants Rearmament ( 6 Messages)