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Israel obligated to defend { March 16 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://drudgereport.com/flash.htm http://drudgereport.com/flash.htm ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER TO TIME: "If We’re Attacked, Israel is Obliged to Defend Itself" ------ "The Reality of 1991 Will Not Repeat Itself," Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz Says LONDON, March 16, 2003: In an exclusive interview with TIME magazine’s European edition, Israeli defense minister Shaul Mofaz, talks about the effect of war, and the need to retaliate as his country prepares for possible Iraqi attack. In his first major interview with the international press since he became defense minister last fall, Mofaz talked with TIME’s Matt Rees and Aharon Kleinxcerpts. The interview appears in full in TIME Europe’s March 24th issue, on newstands tomorrow. TIME: What changes do you think a war will bring in the Middle East? It’s a clear message to Iraq, Iran and Libya, and other states that don’t have peace treaties with us, that nonconventional capabilities and support for terror are things the U.S. won’t allow. These states embody an Unholy Trinity: extreme regimes, nonconventional capabilities that they are trying to extend to nuclear weapons, and support for terror. There is a dimension you can’t avoid on the Palestinian front, too. [Palestinian leader Yasser] Arafat is a terrorist. The Palestinians must choose a different leadership that won’t make compromises with terror. TIME: If there is an Iraqi Scud attack on Israel, will you retaliate or refrain, as Israel did in the 1991 Gulf War? The reality of 1991 won’t repeat itself. The chances that we’ll be attacked are low. But if we’re attacked, Israel is obliged to defend itself and its civilians. This time it must be clear to everyone that might endanger us, especially the Iraqis, that Israel reserves the right to retaliate. TIME: What if the attack is with nonconventional weapons? We are a sovereign state, but we are also a responsible state. We won’t retaliate automatically. It will be only after an assessment. The ties we have with the Americans are so strong that we won’t carry out automatic actions. TIME: How likely is it that Scuds might actually land in Israel? The threat from western Iraq is low. But this threat exists. We assume that American activity in western Iraq is going to be much more massive and more intensive than in 1991. It’s going to minimize the possibility of Iraq launching any missiles. The chance is low, but our readiness is high. TIME: How long do you think a war will last? The surprising thing in this war is going to be the power of the American action in the first stages of the battle. I assess that the war’s going to take weeks, but the overall stay for the Americans is going to be quite long. Maybe it’s going to be a year or two, or even more, to be sure that in Iraq there’s no chaos. Some American commentators say that this war is being fought for Israel and is being promoted by a pro-Israel lobby in Washington. The Americans aren’t going off to battle for Israel. It’s not an Israeli interest that’s pushing the Americans to fight Iraq. The American government saw the worldwide danger that’s at stake. TIME: Do you have intelligence to suggest that there might be a big terror attack in Israel or the West during a war? The likelihood of international terror, especially against Israeli, American and Jewish targets around the world during the battle in Iraq, might be higher. This is because al-Qaeda and others want to prove that, although there is a battle against Iraq and against terror, they can still carry out terrorist attacks. TIME: How do you rate the performance of U.N. arms inspector Hans Blix and the usefulness of his reports? The effectiveness of [U.N.] supervision didn’t meet expectations. That’s either because of ineffective supervision or because of Iraqi obstruction. But one thing is clear: Since the inspection mandate was given to Hans Blix, the effectiveness of the supervision is not up to the level of expectation of the Americans and the rest of the world. after a war, will Bush pressure Israel to get a peace process moving with the Palestinians? I wouldn’t call it American pressure. The fact that [as a result of U.S. and European Union demands, Mahmoud Abbas is to be named] Prime Minister in the shadow of this battle in Iraq shows that the war already influenced the Palestinians in a positive way. TIME: Are you going to expel Yasser Arafat from the West Bank and Gaza? The step of naming a Palestinian Prime Minister will in the long-run push aside Arafat and bring a new leadership. It’s clear to everyone in the world that Arafat follows a road of terror and violence, and this road failed. But the question must be considered soberly. Right now, if this prime ministerial process accumulates momentum, you have to let it develop naturally. Developing...

baghdad-bombing beginning-war celebration colateral-damage friendly-fire grenade-soldier iraq-downfall jessica-lynch media missile-mishaps northern other-cities south-advance us-casualties US-POWs warplan 75 billion not even close { April 4 2003 } Alqaeda fighting with iraqis { March 28 2003 } American flag raised { March 21 2003 } American idol might leave { March 26 2003 } Australians support war now { March 25 2003 } Back code yellow Bosnia iraq arms scandal { April 3 2003 } British officer punched kicked prisoners Bush budget doesnt add up { March 25 2003 } Bush has solid support Bush mental breakdown Buying tribes from saddam Buying tribes { April 3 2003 } Cheneys daughters not human shields { March 26 2003 } Demands russia cease iraq aid Dirty war cuts both ways { March 2003 } Dolphins clear landmines Dolphins enlisted locate mines { March 26 2003 } Fbi questions us iraqis German intelligence gave US iraqi defense plan { February 27 2006 } Intentially destroy water supplies Iraq accuses israel Iraqi city water shortage { March 24 2003 } Iraqi deserter desperate days Iraqi plots to kill americans { March 29 2003 } Israel obligated to defend { March 16 2003 } Jail of evil Marines avenge blood executed gis { March 25 2003 } Marines dropped devices similar to napalm Marines line up iran border Missile hits kuwait Monster saddam now hero Navy dolpins awol { March 29 2003 } Officials confirm dropping firebombs { August 5 2003 } Officials defiant { March 23 2003 } Phoenix power plant threat { March 20 2003 } Pows guantamo bay { April 1 2003 } Reports moab used Rumsfeld tough days ahead { March 23 2003 } Russia provided iraq intelligence Saddam vows to fight { March 18 2003 } Saddam warns of world war Saudis help with cheap oil and air bases { April 25 2004 } Seize airports Senate slashes bush tax cut { March 26 2003 } Soldiers pray pamphlets Us admits used napalm bombs Us capture chemical plant Us leaves british with oilfields { March 21 2003 } Using du illegal Weather forecast secrets { March 25 2003 } Whats next korea iran { April 3 2003 } Files Listed: 52

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