- WASHINGTON (MENL) -- Israel
has relayed its concern to the United States of the rising prospect of
a Middle East war in 2006.
-
- U.S. officials said Israel has determined that the expected
U.S. withdrawal from Iraq in 2006 would raise tensions in the region that
could lead to a Middle East war. The officials said the Israeli assessment
asserted that Iran would either lead or play a major role in any future
war against the Jewish state.
-
- "It is the biggest nightmare of [Prime Minister]
Ariel Sharon," a U.S. official said. "He has relayed repeated
messages to the administration that Iran and its Arab allies were preparing
for war."
-
- Officials said Sharon has raised this issue with President
George Bush, Vice President Richard Cheney and leaders of the U.S. intelligence
community. They said Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz have assessed
that an Iran emboldened with nuclear weapons and intermediate-range missiles
was seeking to form a coalition against Israel for a war that could take
place after a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.
-
- http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2005/april/04_20_1.html
|
