WASHINGTON Ñ Officials in the Bush administration are uneasy over the
prospect of Israeli national elections on what is expected to be the eve of
a U.S.-led war against Iraq.
Western diplomatic sources said Washington is concerned that Israeli elections will result in a right-wing government that
will anger Arab allies of the United States. They said the administration
wants to avoid any damage to their efforts to win support for a military
campaign against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
"The feeling is that the United States will launch a war in February," a
senior diplomatic source said. "The idea that a right-wing government led by
[Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon would be waving a red flag to U.S. allies in
the Middle East."
Sharon has relayed a message to the United States assuring Washington that the prime minister
would
avoid any step that would destabilize the Middle East, Middle East Newsline reported.
"I will not undermine our strategic understandings with the United
States," Sharon said on Tuesday.
But a U.S. government source involved in Middle East planning said the
administration remains uncomfortable with Sharon. The source said the White
House and State Department believe Sharon could be provoked by a Palestinian
or Hizbullah attack and launch a massive retaliation that would spell the
end of the Palestinian Authority.
"The administration does not see Sharon as previous administrations saw
[former prime ministers Ehud] Barak or even [Binyamin] Netanyahu," the
source said. "Sharon is at the end of his career and might end up doing what
he's long thought is right for Israel. The U.S. influence on him is
limited."
Officials said the United States has coordinated closely with Israel
regarding any military campaign against Iraq. They said Washington has
pledged to provide the Jewish state with adequate warning before a U.S.
attack.
"We have a very close working relationship with the state of Israel,"
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said. "They come here. We go there. We
have meetings. We're sensitive to the risks. They live in a difficult
neighborhood. And needless to say, our interest and their interest would be
in avoiding any attack on Israel. And we intend to do, as they intend to
do, those kinds of things that would deter and dissuade that from
happening."
