As tension over Iraq rose markedly, Israel wanted to ensure coordination in all defense spheres with the United States. For that purpose, Defense Minister Mordechai flew to Munich for a meeting with Secretary Cohen. In that meeting, the U.S. reiterated the importance of joint consultations with Israel regarding possible developments in the Gulf. After the meeting, the following statement was issued:
Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai met this morning (Sunday 8 February 1998) with U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen in Munich, Germany, for a working meeting to discuss issues connected to regional tension. The two exchanged opinions regarding possibilities concerning Iraq.
This consultation is part of the general American effort to update all of its allies and friends regarding the efforts to bring Iraq to carry out United Nations decisions to return the credibility of UNSCOM.
Secretary Cohen informed Minister Mordechai of the United States' policies to aggressively continue attempting to exhaust every possible diplomatic effort in order to solve the problem. The two emphasized the importance of joint consultations regarding possible developments in the Gulf.
The Minister's media advisor said that the American Secretary of Defense reiterated and made clear to Minister Mordechai the deep and long-term commitments the United States has for the security and defense of Israel.
Minister Mordechai thanked the Secretary for the assistance that the United States has rendered for Israel's defensive needs.
Before meeting Secretary Cohen, Minister Mordechai met Germany's Defense Minister to discuss the Gulf situation. Minister Mordechai thanked his German counterpart for the aid of tens of thousands of gas masks that the German government has provided to the State of Israel.
The Defense Minister will return to Israel tonight.