Israel says Iraq has not deployed missiles capable of hitting it

JERUSALEM (AFP) Mar 19, 2003
Iraq has not deployed any missile batteries capable of striking Israel from its western desert, military intelligence chief Aharon Zeevi said Wednesday, quoted by Israeli public radio.

"Iraq has no missiles in its western part," the only area within missile range of the Jewish state, Zeevi told an extraordinary cabinet meeting dedicated to the looming US-led attack on Iraq.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said there was only a one-percent risk of an Iraqi missile strike, but said Israel had made 100 percent efforts to defend itself against any eventuality.

Iraq fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel in the 1991 Gulf war, causing major damage and two deaths.

The Israeli press said the US military had promised to do its utmost to secure western Iraq at the outset of the war to prevent any missile strike. Washington has also deployed Patriot anti-missile batteries in Israel to back up Israel's own Arrow anti-missile defences.

Tests have shown the Arrow missile system would be capable of shooting down multiple Scuds should Iraqi President Saddam Hussein retain the means to repeat his 1991 attack.

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