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.