Posted on 02/16/2003 1:44:42 PM PST by yonif
February 15th, 2003
Major General Amos Gilad, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories spoke last night (15 February) on "Meet the Press," a program on Israel Channel Two, of the tragic explosion that occurred next to an IDF tank in the northern section of the Gaza Strip. Four IDF soldiers were killed in the explosion.
Gilad expressed his regrets at the tragedy and offered condolences to the families of the casualties by saying that Israel will not kneel to terror.
Gilad, pointed out that despite claims made by the Palestinian Authority that they are unable to control or prevent terror attacks, they are in fact capable of preventing the Hamas terrorist organization from launching Kassam missiles against Israel. "The Palestinian Authority understood that the launching of Kassam missiles would cause it damage and not advance its goals, and thus it suddenly acted," said Gilad.
Regarding the rumors circulating in connection to the beginning of the American attack against Iraq, Gilad said that one of the challenges of this war was to counterbalance the rumors. He added that it was possible that Iraq would not attack Israel at all because of her obvious lack of defense capabilities.
"I advise people to see the near future as a window of time in which the United States could possibly begin the war," said Gilad.
2003: The year Saddam Hussein will be removed from office
"The abilities of Saddam Hussein have decreased, his army is small, its moral is low, the missile capability is small, its chemical abilities have decreased and he does not posses nuclear weaponry," said Gilad. He emphasized that it appeared to him that in the year 2003 "Saddam would be removed from office. If the United States decides to attack him, I think the free world would enormously benefit," added Gilad.
Maj. Gen Gilad also pointed out that the Home Front Command and the Intelligence establishment was operating in coordination with the United States. 'We need to be prepared for extreme singular situations - rockets, lone airplanes or an extreme terror attack - we are prepared for any such scenario and take into account all the possibilities," said Gilad.
Gilad added that in his opinion the are no dormant terrorist cells in the territories that possess chemical or biological weapons and that are awaiting the command to attack.
Regarding the change of leadership in the Palestinian Authority, Maj. Gen. Gilad said that according to his assessments Arafat does not intend to relinquish his office.
"This is an important development because it indicated that Arafat understands that the world is fed up with him. Today, even Europe understands that Arafat supports terror. I think that the path of terror he has chosen will lead to his expulsion," summarized Gilad.
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