Posted on 03/12/2005 6:26:19 PM PST by FairOpinion
ISRAEL has drawn up secret plans for a combined air and ground attack on targets in Iran if diplomacy fails to halt the Iranian nuclear programme. The inner cabinet of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, gave “initial authorisation” for an attack at a private meeting last month on his ranch in the Negev desert.
Israeli forces have used a mock-up of Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment plant in the desert to practise destroying it. Their tactics include raids by Israel’s elite Shaldag (Kingfisher) commando unit and airstrikes by F-15 jets from 69 Squadron, using bunker-busting bombs to penetrate underground facilities.
The plans have been discussed with American officials who are said to have indicated provisionally that they would not stand in Israel’s way if all international efforts to halt Iranian nuclear projects failed.
Tehran claims that its programme is designed for peaceful purposes but Israeli and American intelligence officials — who have met to share information in recent weeks — are convinced that it is intended to produce nuclear weapons.
The Israeli government responded cautiously yesterday to an announcement by Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, that America would support Britain, France and Germany in offering economic incentives for Tehran to abandon its programme.
In return, the European countries promised to back Washington in referring Iran to the United Nations security council if the latest round of talks fails to secure agreement.
Silvan Shalom, the Israeli foreign minister, said he believed that diplomacy was the only way to deal with the issue. But he warned: “The idea that this tyranny of Iran will hold a nuclear bomb is a nightmare, not only for us but for the whole world.”
Dick Cheney, the American vice-president, emphasised on Friday that Iran would face “stronger action” if it failed to respond. But yesterday Iran rejected the initiative, which provides for entry to the World Trade Organisation and a supply of spare parts for airliners if it co-operates.
“No pressure, bribe or threat can make Iran give up its legitimate right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes,” said an Iranian spokesman.
US officials warned last week that a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities by Israeli or American forces had not been ruled out should the issue become deadlocked at the United Nations.
Additional reporting: Tony Allen-Mills, Washington
I think they are more advanced, than we think, just as Saddam was more advanced when Israel hit his nuclear facilities, than we thought at the time.
yeah...im sure ariel sharon down with "uzi" and laid the plan all out. jeez.
If Israel had indeed drawn up "secret plans" you can be sure the UK Times wouldn't know about them.
Gee, what a surprise. I'm sure we've done the same thing.
Well, it's only sensible to assume that they had.
My guess is that this info is deliberately leaked, to warn Iran. We offered Iran a carrot, they refuse to take it, now we have the stick approach, but it's not a bluff.
Revealed: US working on a secret bomb using nuclear fusion.
Iran Dismisses Economic Offer From the U.S.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/international/13iran.html?ex=1111294800&en=122652929cbc663c&ei=5065&partner=MYWAY
Well, not much choise is left to keep Iran from finishing building nukes, is there.
If Israel had indeed drawn up "secret plans" you can be sure the UK Times wouldn't know about them.
The European socialist can stand the idea of democracies in the Middle East, ushered in by none other tha George Bush! You're right, they want anti-semitism to rear it's ugly head in the ME so that their genocidal maniac dictators remain in power.
SHHHHHHH!!
of course........since we have battle plans at the ready for just about every country in the world, i'm sure the Israeli's have done the same for all in the region....need those nuclear bunker busters though....the regular ones won't go deep enough and hope they know ALL the sites
booked
For a moment there, I thought this was a DEBKA article. I still don't know what to think.
Bah!
Religious Jews are the only "threat" to the bolshevik Judenrat nazi traitor filth.
Genocidal arab muslim nazi Jew-killers can "dialogue" and negotiate "peace."
The suicidal insanity of Israel's rapid destruction, epitomized by bolshevik traitor sharon, will come to fruition very, very soon.
ISRAEL has drawn up secret plans for a combined air and ground attack on targets in Iran if diplomacy fails to halt the Iranian nuclear programme.
Gosh! Ya think!
Cool
I sure hope that we all together can keep this secret from those despotic leader aholes in Iran who despise us, at least until the "secret strike" is completed!
I think the mad mullahs are changing there shorts about now.
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