Saddam Hussein told Netanyahu in '98 he would not attack Israel

Jerusalem Post (AP) ^ | 9/11/02

[truthandlife]

Former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he exchanged secret messages with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Netanyahu said that in 1998, it was thought that Saddam might launch a missile attack on Israel, as he had done during the 1991 Gulf War.

Netanyahu said the Iraqi ruler sent a secret message assuring Israel that he had no such intention.

"I sent him a message and told him that this was a very wise decision on his part, so that he could understand what the significance would be if he acted against us," Netanyahu told Israel Army Radio.

In the Gulf War, Iraq fired 39 Scud missiles at Israeli cities, causing extensive damage but few casualties. At the time, Saddam was trying to provoke Israel into joining in the war, so that Arab countries would quit the American-led coalition. Yitzhak Shamir, who was then prime minister, refrained from retaliating, bowing to strong pressure from Washington.

Netanyahu, who was prime minister from 1996-99, said the decision was understandable, but that Israel had paid a heavy price for it.

Failure to respond to an Arab missile attack severely eroded Israel's deterrent power, he said.

"In the psychological climate of the Middle East it was perceived as an invitation to new attacks," he said.

This was why Iraq, Iran and other Mideast countries have been acquiring missiles on a large scale in the 10 years since the Gulf War, he said.

Netanyahu, who is expected to challenge Ariel Sharon for the leadership of the Likud party and the office of premier, said he would never tolerate a missile attack without responding.

"The response has to come," he said.

[Reagan's_Mom]

Interesting timing.

[Myrnick]

Interesting timing.

Yes, and I don't exactly understand the point. Bibi definitely understands that a promise from Hussein is like the promise Hitler gave Chamberlain, so he's (Netanyahu) not implying that Saddam isn't a threat, although I imagine that the author of this article would like us to come away with that thought.

[joesnuffy]

UhHUh...Man of his word allright...no doubtaboutit...take that to the bank...

[alancarp]

...and Hitler signed peace treaties that he later ignored.

[steveegg]

ANOTHER green light to wax Saddam's plow (and not with caruba wax).

[Frohickey]

Failure to respond to an Arab missile attack severely eroded Israel's deterrent power, he said.

"In the psychological climate of the Middle East it was perceived as an invitation to new attacks," he said.

So was America's hasty retreat from Somalia.

I think that the liberal PC mantra about 'looking within ourselves for fault' and 'understanding the Muslims' was brought about with officials and parents telling their children to 'just walk away' from bullies.

Waling away from bullies just means the bullies get a free shot at your behind.