Israel vows to hit back at Iraq

By ABRAHAM RABINOVICH Herald correspondent

JERUSALEM - Israel has told the United States that it will not turn the other cheek this time if Iraq fires missiles at Israel in retaliation for an American incursion.

To repeat the restraint shown during the Gulf War in 1991 when Iraq fired 39 missiles at Israel without drawing an Israeli response would undermine Israel's deterrence, officials say.

Israel had intended then to send commandos into western Iraq to hit the Scud missile launchers and to send warplanes against unspecified targets. However, the US persuaded Israel against that so as not to break up the US-led coalition against Iraq which included Arab countries which would not have wanted to be on the same side as Israel.

Although Arab troops will almost certainly not be part of a coalition this time if there is a strike against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Washington still prefers not to see Israeli involvement.

Haaretz reports that the US has asked Israel to make do with a symbolic response if there are no casualties from Iraqi Scuds. In 1991 there was only one direct fatality. The Iraqis used conventional warheads and most people were in shelters. This time, there is fear Iraq might use chemical or biological warheads.

Officials say they expect at least a 72-hour warning before a US attack but have asked for a week's notice.

Before Israel would retaliate against Iraq, it would want US Air Force codes that would ensure that its planes did not mistakenly clash with American planes over Iraq. In 1991, the US refused to supply them.

Israel last week deployed its anti-missile missile, the Hetz (Arrow), in what it said was a two-week drill. Gas mask distribution is being accelerated and the Government has taken the first steps to vaccinate the population against smallpox in preparation for Iraqi use of biological warheads.

Feature: Middle East

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