JERUSALEM Ñ Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon leaves today for talks in Washington at which President George Bush is expected to discuss Israel's role in a series of scenarios involving war with Iraq.
"The United States doesn't want the Palestinians to turn into
an international issue over the next few months." a senior Israeli
official said. "These meetings could decide Israel's behavior in the Middle East" during this critical period, he said.
Israel expects to be asked by the United States to ease
the war against the Palestinians in advance of the expected military campaign against
Iraq, Middle East Newsline reported.
Officials said the Bush administration will review a series of scenarios with Sharon
including a Palestinian effort
to increase attacks on Israel, a Hizbullah attack on northern Israel and the
prospect of an Iraqi missile strike.
In each case, Sharon will be asked to detail what Israel's response will be.
Israeli officials said the United States is expected to ask for several
measures meant to ease pressure on the Palestinian Authority. They include
the release of hundreds of millions of dollars held by Israel to the PA, the
removal of restrictions on Palestinian movement and the withdrawal of troops
from up two West Bank cities.
Officials said the prime minister will be urged to maintain
restraint in the face of attack by Iraq or its allies.
In particular, the U.S. wants to know whether Israel would
respond to an Iraqi weapons of mass destruction attack. Iraq is said to have
up to 80 medium-range Al Hussein missiles that could be tipped with
biological or chemical weapons.
Last week, Sharon refrained from threatening retaliation against an
Iraqi attack. "If we are attacked by Iraq we will defend our citizens,"
Sharon said.
Last week, U.S. ambassador Daniel Kurtzer sent Sharon a letter in which
the envoy asserted that Israel has not implemented pledges to ease
humanitarian conditions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This includes
Israel's pledge to free funds for the PA.
On Sunday, the Israeli Cabinet pledged not to strike Lebanon amid what
officials assert is its large-scale pumping of the Wazani River. Earlier,
Lebanon
rejected a U.S. request to delay the operation of a water pumping facility
along the river, a major tributary to northern Israel.
"Israel will attempt to work within the diplomatic process initiated by
the U.S. Ñ where its position will be represented to the U.S. officials
dealing with the subject and during Prime Minister Sharon's meetings in the
U.S.," the Cabinet statement said.
