- A United States Air Force report asserts that Israel
is building a nuclear naval force meant to respond to any nuclear strike
by such countries as Iran or Iraq.
-
- It is the first time a U.S. military institution has
stated that Israel has produced a hydrogen bomb. The number of purported
Israeli nuclear weapons cited in the report is double that of previous
assessments.
-
- The report, sponsored by the air force's Counterproliferation
Center, asserts that the navy can deploy any of what it asserts is Israel's
400 atomic and hydrogen weapons, Middle East Newsline reported. The center
is located in the Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
-
- In a report entitled "The Third Temple's Holy of
Holies: Israel's Nuclear Weapons," U.S. Army Col. Warner Farr said
Israel's nuclear arsenal has grown from an estimated 13 nuclear bombs in
1967 to 400 nuclear and thermonuclear weapons. Farr said Israel's navy
could deploy nuclear weapons on the fleet of three German-built Dolphin-class
diesel submarines.
-
- "Israel will then have a second strike capability
with nuclear cruise missiles, and this capability could well change the
nuclear arms race in the Middle East," the report, which Farr said
is based on unclassified sources, read. "Israeli rhetoric on the new
submarines labels them 'national deterrent' assets."
-
- The report said these nuclear missiles could have a range
of 350 kilometers. Israel would try to base its nuclear naval force near
Oman, with which Israel has informal relations, the September 1999 report,
which was recently published by the center, said.
-
- "The first basing options for the new second-strike
force of nuclear missile capable submarines include Oman, an Arab nation
with unofficial Israeli relations, located strategically near Iran,"
the report said.
-
- The U.S. Air Force Counterproliferation Center was established
in 1998. The center is meant to help prepare air force commanders counter
the threat from weapons of mass destruction. The report did not deem Israel's
purported nuclear arsenal as a direct threat to the United States.
-
- The report said Israel's Defense Ministry has requested
from the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon authorization for a
retaliatory nuclear strike. Israel could also use Jordanian air space for
a nuclear strike on Iran, which the report said could produce a nuclear
warhead as early as 2004. http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/breaking_9.html
-
-
- Comment
-
- Josh Greenberg
7-4-2
-
- I've been telling my American friends for years not to
mess with Israel. We are the world's 4th or 5th strongest nuclear power...nice
to finally see it in print. That's why toady Bush is powerless to infleunce
the policies of the Sharon government. The US continues to give us many
billions a year! ... most of which has gone into building our nuclear weapons,
fund our West Bank settlements, and pay for our spies and intelligence
services! You don't like Israeli policy? Tough sh*t! You funded it all
and we did the rest! 400 nuclear warheads...minimum. Remember that.
Now, just imagine what our biological weapons scientists have cooked up
and have sitting on the shelf, ready to go. Get this: NO ONE is EVER going
to force Israel to do anything against its will. Try it, world, and find
out what happens.
|
