topic by
real watcher
7/4/2002 (14:53) |
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While the US warns about non-existant nuclear weapons in Iraq, Israel has expanded its nuclear arsenal to 400 bombs.
Talk about hypocrisy!
U.S. Air Force: Israel has 400 nukes, building
naval force
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, July 4, 2002
A United States Air Force report asserts that Israel is building a nuclear naval force meant to respond
to any nuclear strike by such countries as Iran or Iraq.
It is the first time a U.S. military institution has stated that Israel has produced a hydrogen bomb. The
number of purported Israeli nuclear weapons cited in the report is double that of previous
assessments.
The report, sponsored by the air force's Counterproliferation Center, asserts that the navy can deploy
any of what it asserts is Israel's 400 atomic and hydrogen weapons, Middle East Newsline reported.
The center is located in the Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
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In a report entitled 'The Third Temple's Holy of Holies: Israel's Nuclear Weapons,' U.S. Army Col.
Warner Farr said Israel's nuclear arsenal has grown from an estimated 13 nuclear bombs in 1967 to
400 nuclear and thermonuclear weapons. Farr said Israel's navy could deploy nuclear weapons on the
fleet of three German-built Dolphin-class diesel submarines.
'Israel will then have a second strike capability with nuclear cruise missiles, and this capability could
well change the nuclear arms race in the Middle East,' the report, which Farr said is based on
unclassified sources, read. 'Israeli rhetoric on the new submarines labels them 'national deterrent'
assets.'
The report said these nuclear missiles could have a range of 350 kilometers. Israel would try to base its
nuclear naval force near Oman, with which Israel has informal relations, the September 1999 report,
which was recently published by the center, said.
'The first basing options for the new second-strike force of nuclear missile capable submarines include
Oman, an Arab nation with unofficial Israeli relations, located strategically near Iran,' the report said.
The U.S. Air Force Counterproliferation Center was established in 1998. The center is meant to help
prepare air force commanders counter the threat from weapons of mass destruction. The report did not
deem Israel's purported nuclear arsenal as a direct threat to the United States.
The report said Israel's Defense Ministry has requested from the government of Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon authorization for a retaliatory nuclear strike. Israel could also use Jordanian air space for a
nuclear strike on Iran, which the report said could produce a nuclear warhead as early as 2004.
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