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Bush to press Sharon not to retaliate against Iraqi strike

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, October 7, 2002

JERUSALEM Ñ President George Bush has invited Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for talks next in Washington that are expected to focus on Israel's role in any U.S.-led war against Iraq.

Israeli diplomatic sources said Bush is expected to press Sharon for a commitment that Israel will not retaliate against any Iraqi missile attack. Sharon has warned that Israel will not maintain restraint if it comes under Iraqi attack.

Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said he expected the United States to launch a war against Iraq by the end of November, Middle East Newsline reported. Sources cited new information relayed to Israel that told of an advance in plans to attack Baghdad.

"Bush does not want any surprises and wants such a commitment from Sharon," a diplomatic source said.

Last month, Defense Minister Donald Rumsfeld urged Israel not to respond to any Iraqi missile attack. The appeal was reiterated on Friday by a Pentagon spokesman.

The Bush-Sharon meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15 at the White House. The sources said Bush will also discuss the Israeli-Palestinian war and tensions along the Lebanese border.

Over the weekend, an Israeli Defense Ministry delegation held talks with senior Pentagon officials on Iraq. The talks were said to have focused on Israel's needs to defend against any Iraqi missile attack.

Officials said Israel has a severe shortage of gas masks to help protect against a biological or chemical weapons attacks. They said Israel requires up to 500,000 gas masks within the next few weeks.

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