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Patriot Games
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http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/syria_iran/2007/09/18/33789.html
Israeli Attack on Syria Could Presage Strike on Iran
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Israel's air force attacked a site in Syria believed to be a nuclear-related
facility containing material delivered by North Korea.
Reports surfaced this week that Israel had launched an air attack against a
site in Syria believed to be a nuclear-related facility containing material
delivered by North Korea.
The Sept. 6 air strike generated surprisingly little outcry from the rest of
the world, and not as much press as might be expected.
But it could have major implications: Some see the attack as a warning to
Iran that Israel will not allow a nuclear-armed adversary in the region.
The strike was carried out several days after a ship with North Korean cargo
docked in a Syrian port, according to current and former American and
Israeli officials. The cargo was transferred to the site Israel later
attacked, the officials told the New York Times.
North Korea has previously sold weapons and missile technology to Syria as
well as Iran, but it has never been caught exporting nuclear-related
material to either country.
Details about the raid remain elusive. But as the officials spoke
anonymously, China abruptly canceled plans to host diplomatic discussions in
Beijing on North Korea's intentions to disband its nuclear facilities. China's
move was seen as an attempt to avoid a possible confrontation between the
U.S. and North Korea over its alleged nuclear support for Syria.
The officials disclosed that the Israeli government notified Washington
about the air attack before it was launched, but it is unclear whether the
U.S. supported the strike or advised against it.
It is also unclear if the U.S. agrees with Israeli intelligence's assessment
that the targeted site was nuclear-related.
But American and Israeli officials "who have received briefings from Israeli
sources said Monday that the raid was an attempt by Israel to destroy a site
that Israel believed to be associated with a rudimentary Syrian nuclear
program," the Times reported.
North Korea strongly denied that it has provided Syria with secret nuclear
cooperation, claiming on Tuesday that the charge was fabricated to block
progress in the North's relations with the U.S.
In any case, the Israeli attack is bound to send a message to Iran about its
nuclear ambitions. An analysis in the Jerusalem Post indicated that Israel
"will be seen in a few key capitals as the force that will not allow nuclear
proliferation in the region."
The Post also noted "the resounding lack of condemnation - either in Europe
or even in the Arab world - to Israel's alleged attack.
"The world, for the most part, dislikes the idea of a nuclear Middle East.
Witness French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's recent comment that
France should prepare for the possibility of war over Iran's nuclear
program."
Kouchner said in an interview on Sunday: "We must prepare for the worst .
The worst, sir, is war."
Iran insists it only wants to master nuclear technology to produce
electricity, but it has yet to comply with United Nations demands that it
halt uranium enrichment and other work that could lead to weapons
production.
Regarding Israel's motives for the strike in Syria, the Post observed: "It's
one thing to harbor terrorists who want to destroy Israel . but it is
something different entirely to get into the same nuclear bed with North
Korea."
Israeli Attack on Syria Could Presage Strike on Iran
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Israel's air force attacked a site in Syria believed to be a nuclear-related
facility containing material delivered by North Korea.
Reports surfaced this week that Israel had launched an air attack against a
site in Syria believed to be a nuclear-related facility containing material
delivered by North Korea.
The Sept. 6 air strike generated surprisingly little outcry from the rest of
the world, and not as much press as might be expected.
But it could have major implications: Some see the attack as a warning to
Iran that Israel will not allow a nuclear-armed adversary in the region.
The strike was carried out several days after a ship with North Korean cargo
docked in a Syrian port, according to current and former American and
Israeli officials. The cargo was transferred to the site Israel later
attacked, the officials told the New York Times.
North Korea has previously sold weapons and missile technology to Syria as
well as Iran, but it has never been caught exporting nuclear-related
material to either country.
Details about the raid remain elusive. But as the officials spoke
anonymously, China abruptly canceled plans to host diplomatic discussions in
Beijing on North Korea's intentions to disband its nuclear facilities. China's
move was seen as an attempt to avoid a possible confrontation between the
U.S. and North Korea over its alleged nuclear support for Syria.
The officials disclosed that the Israeli government notified Washington
about the air attack before it was launched, but it is unclear whether the
U.S. supported the strike or advised against it.
It is also unclear if the U.S. agrees with Israeli intelligence's assessment
that the targeted site was nuclear-related.
But American and Israeli officials "who have received briefings from Israeli
sources said Monday that the raid was an attempt by Israel to destroy a site
that Israel believed to be associated with a rudimentary Syrian nuclear
program," the Times reported.
North Korea strongly denied that it has provided Syria with secret nuclear
cooperation, claiming on Tuesday that the charge was fabricated to block
progress in the North's relations with the U.S.
In any case, the Israeli attack is bound to send a message to Iran about its
nuclear ambitions. An analysis in the Jerusalem Post indicated that Israel
"will be seen in a few key capitals as the force that will not allow nuclear
proliferation in the region."
The Post also noted "the resounding lack of condemnation - either in Europe
or even in the Arab world - to Israel's alleged attack.
"The world, for the most part, dislikes the idea of a nuclear Middle East.
Witness French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's recent comment that
France should prepare for the possibility of war over Iran's nuclear
program."
Kouchner said in an interview on Sunday: "We must prepare for the worst .
The worst, sir, is war."
Iran insists it only wants to master nuclear technology to produce
electricity, but it has yet to comply with United Nations demands that it
halt uranium enrichment and other work that could lead to weapons
production.
Regarding Israel's motives for the strike in Syria, the Post observed: "It's
one thing to harbor terrorists who want to destroy Israel . but it is
something different entirely to get into the same nuclear bed with North
Korea."
