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U.S. sends 600 troops and anti-missile systems to Israel

Kuwait News Agency

01/16/2003

WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- The United States has sent Patriot anti-missile systems and 600 troops to Israel to strengthen its ability to defend itself against missile attack, the New York Times reported Thursday. Officially, the American forces have been sent for an exercise that will tests the ability of American and Israeli missile defenses to work together. But the exercise will mean that American forces will work alongside Israeli military and be in position to help defend Israel against attacks by Iraq's Scud missiles if President Bush decides to take military action against Saddam Hussein.

In the exercise, U.S. forces are to be based in Israel until midfebruary, American officials said. Their deployment could easily be extended. American participation in the exercise will also include an Aegis air defense cruises. The Aegis has a sophisticated radar that can track enemy missiles and integrate the information into the land-based air defense command centers.

American Patriot batteries were dispatched to Israel before the 1991 Gulf War. The U.S. is also trying to dissuade Israel from retaliating against Iraq if it was attacked.

Ariel Sharon, Israel's prime minister, has informed Washington that Israel plans to strike back if attacked by Iraq. The U.S. fears that an Israeli involvement into a possible war could be exploited by Iraq by portraying the conflict as that between Islam and a U.S.-Israeli coalition. (end)