A SPECIAL REPORT 1111 1111 e

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JAMES D. BESSER
Washington Correspondent

leaders in Washington and
olitical leaders
Jerusalem may be at loggerheads over
the stalled Israeli-Palestinian talks, but
the strategic relationship between the
United States and Israel is as strong as ever.
That was evident this week as officials in
Washington prepared for a military clash with
Saddam Hussein's Iraq, and as the Jewish state
braced itself for the possible repercussions.
But the current U.S.-Iraqi confrontation —
which began with the Iraqi leader's refusal to
cooperate with United Nations weapons inspec-
tors who were closing in on his stockpile of
chemical and biological weapons — is unlikely to
give Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu much
more than temporary relief from U.S. pressure
over the stalled Middle East peace process.
The latest Persian Gulf crisis came amid signs
that the U.S.-driven peace process had reached a
dead end, with no recovery in sight. U.S. officials
are furious about what they see as Israeli foot-
dragging in the negotiations with Yassir Arafat
and the Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Jerusalem officials are unhappy
about growing American pressure for a bigger
West Bank redeployment than they are willing to
give, especially before the Palestinians fulfill a
long list of conditions.
But the growing friction has not affected mili-

Saddam's
gambit
and its
impact
on U.S.
Israel ties.

tary cooperation between the two
allies.
The Clinton administration
has given Israel almost everything
its leaders have requested as both
governments wait for either a
diplomatic solution or an Anglo-
American military strike that offi-
cials in Washington hint will be
significantly more intense than
previous limited bombing mis-
sions.
That includes official U.S.
backing for retaliation if Israel is
targeted by Iraq. During the Gulf
War in 1991, Israel, after strong
pressure from Washington, did
not respond to Iraqi Scud missile
attacks, despite longstanding
strategic doctrine that requires quick and effec-
tive retaliation.
During her recent trip to the region, U.S. Sec-
retary of State Madeleine Albright had reassuring
words for Israel, despite what by all accounts was
her most frustrating meeting yet with Mr.
Netanyahu.
"Of course, there may be differences between
us about how to pursue Middle East peace, but
let me say directly to the Israeli people nothing

will ever shake the ironclad
commitment of the United
States when it comes to the
security of Israel," she said
after the meetings.
Ms. Albright used even
stronger language during a call
with leaders of major American
Jewish organizations late last
week, promising that an Iraqi
attack on Israel or any other
country in the region would be
met with "great force."
Beyond supportive lan-
guage, the Pentagon is provid-
ing extensive technical assis-
tance to Israel, including anti-
dotes to biological agents,
sophisticated chemical detec-
tion equipment and added access to intelligence
data.
Military experts were not surprised by the close
U.S.-Israel cooperation.
"There's a 'Jekyll and Hyde' aspect to the rela-
tionship," said Shoshana Bryen, special projects
director for the Jewish Institute for National
Security Affairs. "Despite political differences, the
military people have a different agenda, and mili-
tarily, things have been going quite well."

2/13

1998

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