===================================================================== Information Division, Israel Foreign Ministry - Jerusalem Mail all Queries to ask@israel-info.gov.il URL: http://www.israel-mfa.gov.il gopher://israel-info.gov.il ===================================================================== SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS ------------------------------------------- (Government Press Office) 3 August 1998 Ma'ariv says that "Iranian President Muhammad Khatemi's warning against the 'the Israeli nuclear threat which threatens the region,' is -- first and foremost -- meant to reassure Iran's neighbors, such as Iraq, that the Shihab-3 missile is not aimed against them. It should also be recalled that Israeli leaders are constantly issuing warnings against the Iranian threat, so President Khatemi's statements could also be interpreted as a response to what is being said in Jerusalem." The editors conclude: "As long as it is only a missile that is involved, the Iranian demon is not so terrible. Things would change if and Teheran is able to arm the missile with a nuclear warhead. From that point on, the balance of power in the region would indeed be altered. In effect, Israel's deterrent capability would be neutralized. Israel must make every effort to prevent Iran's becoming armed with nuclear weapons. At the same time, we should hope that in the internal power struggles in Iran, President Khatemi's line will prevail, since despite his tough statements over the weekend, the president espouses a relatively moderate political line."
