Sharon's warning: Aid to Iran
could fuel missile program

JERUSALEM — Israel has urged the European Union and the United States to maintain sanctions on and halt aid to Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has relayed messages to both European governments and the Bush administration that warn of Iran's advancement toward a completion of intermediate- and long-range missile programs. Sharon's message said Western aid could accelerate the missile programs as well as provide international legitimacy to Teheran's efforts.

Israeli sources said Iran is focusing on three missiles. One is the Shihab-3 missile, with a range of 1,300 kilometers. The other is the Shihab-4, which the sources said will have a range of up to 2,500. The third is a missile that will have a range of 5,000 kilometers.

"Iran with the help and support of Russia and North Korea is making a tremendous effort to make missiles and weapons of mass destruction," Sharon said. "They have one of 1,300 kilometers, going to 2,500 kilometers and thinking of missiles of 5,000 kilometers. The danger is not only for Israel. The danger is for the entire region."

Next week, members of the Missile Technology Control Regime meet in Warsaw to discuss missile proliferation and a proposal to report on missile launches.

Sharon raised the Iranian missile threat during a meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Jozias van Aartsen. Holland serves as Israel's representative on the board of directors of the World Bank.

The World Bank began a meeting on Thursday to consider a $755 million loan to Teheran. The institution is scheduled to vote on the proposal next week. Van Aartsen was urged to oppose the loan.

The issue was also raised in Washington this week by Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom. Shalom discussed the issue with U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres discussed the Iranian threat with President George Bush and senior U.S. officials. Peres said Russia has agreed to accelerate Iranian missile programs in exchange for Teheran's pledge to cooperate with Moscow in the war in Chechnya.

Another issue in Washington was Israel's request to revive a joint committee to halt Russia's aid to Iranian missile and nuclear programs.

The committee has not convened since Bush took office in January.

In August, the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act expires and Israel has lobbied for its renewal. On Wednesday, American-Israel Public Affairs Committee executive director Howard Kohr urged the House International Relations Middle East subcommittee to maintain the sanctions on Teheran, a request supported by many members of Congress.

Israeli officials are not optimistic that they can halt Iran's missile programs. They are skeptical of reports that Teheran has encountered obstacles in completing the Shihab-3 program, particularly in ensuring the performance of the missile's engine.

But the officials said that without a concerted Western effort, Iran can quickly complete the Shihab-3 as well as the Shihab-4 within the next year.

They said Iran is working on these programs simultaneously.

"Every effort should be made to postpone these programs as much as possible," Sharon said.