Israel Seeks to Ease Concerns Over WMD Drill

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday attempted to assuage Syrian and Lebanese concerns that Israel could use a nationwide WMD attack exercise it is conducting this week as a cover for a plot against the neighboring states, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, March 17).

Israeli leaders, emergency responders and civilians are expected to respond to mock chemical and biological weapon strikes during the five-day-long drill, which began yesterday, according to the Israeli army.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora stepped up the readiness of his country’s military last week and asked U.N. peacekeeping troops along its border with Israel to be vigilant against the possible launch of “operations capable of increasing tension.”  Israeli media also reported rising tensions along Israel’s northern border with Syria.

"The goal of the exercise is to check the authorities' ability to carry out their duties in times of emergency and for preparing the home front for different scenarios," Olmert told a weekly cabinet meeting.

"There is nothing else hidden behind it. All the reports on tension in the north can be moderated and cooled down. We have no secret plans" behind the drill, he said (Ron Bousso, Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, April 6).

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