20 December 1998
DM MORDECHAI HOLDS MEETING ON IRAQ SITUATION
(Communicated by Defense Minister's Media Advisor)
Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai, this evening (Sunday), 20.12.98, met
with senior security and defense establishment officials in order to
assess the situation following the conclusion of U.S.-British actions
against Iraq.
Defense Minister Mordechai expressed his appreciation for the
determination of the free world -- led by the U.S. -- to enforce effective
and significant UNSCOM inspection on Iraq in order to prevent Baghdad from
being able to threaten the region with missiles and non-conventional
weapons, and said that Israel hopes that inspection will be restored
soon.
Defense Minister Mordechai approved an IDF recommendation to lower both
the Home Front Command's level of defense readiness and the level of
anti-aircraft defense readiness. These will be reactivated according to
the IDF's assessment of the overall situation.
Defense Minister Mordechai emphasized that Israel's Home Front defense
policy is permanent and takes into account the overall threats to Israel
and not just that emanating from Iraq; therefore, it is very important
that Israelis take advantage of the opening of the stations for checking
and updating their defense kits and ensure that their kits are in proper
working order.
Defense Minister Mordechai expressed his great appreciation for the U.S.
administration, U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen, the Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff and various U.S. units for the warm and efficient
ties with the Israeli defense establishment and the rapid deployment of
assistance to the Israeli Home Front. "The accelerated and efficient
deployment is an additional expression of the quality of the strategic
relationship between us and the U.S.," he said.
Defense Minister Mordechai also expressed his appreciation to the IDF, the
Defense Ministry, Home Front Command, the police and government ministries
for the rapid organization which enabled the Israeli Home Front to quickly
achieve the necessary level of preparedness.