Sharon's warnings about Kosovo's future upset U.S., Israeli diplomats
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, April 21, 1999
JERUSALEM [MENL] -- Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon's assertion that an
independent Kosovo will turn into an Iranian-aligned state is quietly
being disputed by European experts in his ministry.
Foreign Ministry officials, who refuse to be identified, said Sharon
has exaggerated Iranian influence in such countries as Bosnia, Albania
and in the Kosovo Liberation Army. The officials said Teheran has
provided money to the Balkans but regional leaders have limited Iran's
influence.
"They know that Iranian influence threatens them as much as it does the
rest of Europe," an official said. "They know that their real interests
lies with
the West."
A Foreign Ministry expert said Iranian influence in Bosnia has been
amplified by Yugoslavia and its allies. He said that no more than 800
Mujahadeen fighters had been deployed in Bosnia.
Currently, he said, about 200 Mujahadeen fighters remain in Bosnia.
They have married Bosnian women and plan to stay in the republic.
Officials said Sharon did not consult with his staff before embarking
on his initial position of neutrality in the NATO air campaign against
Yugoslavia. Under U.S. pressure, Israel announced its support of the
offensive.
Tuesday, April 21, 1999
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