DATE=2/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / NUKES (S ONLY)(CQ)
NUMBER=2-258747
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICE AT:
INTRO: The Israeli Parliament, for the first time in
the nation's history, has debated the country's
nuclear weapons program. V-O-A Correspondent Meredith
Buel reports from Jerusalem.
TEXT: The Israeli Parliament, in an unprecedented
debate, discussed Israel's nuclear weapons
capabilities during a stormy session that escalated
into a shouting match between Jewish and Arab
legislators.
Arab lawmaker Issam Mahoul, who appealed to the
Supreme Court to force the debate, said Israel has
hundreds of nuclear warheads.
Cabinet Minister Haim Ramon said he could not respond
to the allegations because, in his words, "to do so
would aid the enemy."
The public discussion of one of Israel's most
carefully guarded secrets sparked a walkout from
parliament by some members of the governing coalition
as well as opposition lawmakers.
Israel has never publicly acknowledged it maintains a
nuclear arsenal but foreign analysts say it has used
its reactor at Dimona in the Negev desert to produce
nuclear warheads. (Signed)
NEB/MB/JWH/KL
02-Feb-2000 12:15 PM EDT (02-Feb-2000 1715 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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