Israel must be prepared for an air strike on Iran???

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http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/543087.html

 

Last Update: 21/02/2005 21:37

 

 

IAF: Israel must be prepared for an air strike on Iran

By Haaretz Staff and The Associated Press

 

Israel Air Force Commander-in-Chief Major General Eliezer Shakedi said

Monday that Israel must be prepared for an air strike on Iran in light

of its nuclear activity.

But in a meeting with reporters, Shakedi wouldn't say whether he

thought Israel was capable of carrying out such a mission alone, as it

did when it bombed an unfinished Iraqi nuclear reactor near Baghdad in

1981.

 

When asked whether Israel has a plan for the Iranian nuclear program,

Shakedi replied, " You know that for obvious reasons, I won't say even

a word. "

 

But when asked whether he was confident the air force could provide

the answer to the Iranian threat, Shakedi replied, " I must be prepared

for everything. "

 

The Israeli air force commander also discussed the fluid situation in

neighboring Lebanon.

 

The assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri " can create a new

picture in Lebanon, " Shakedi said.

 

With Syria, Hezbollah guerrillas and Hezbollah's Iranian benefactors

all operating in Lebanon, " we understand who has interests " in Hariri

being out of the picture, he said.

 

Asked whether the IAF has changed its deployment since the

assassination, he replied, " Of course we won't let the other side hit us. "

 

" We have a job to protect the citizens of Israel, " Shakedi said. " I

hope that there won't be a war - but you know, no one knows. "