Mofaz: the war against Iraq is not before the end of February

The Israeli defense minister Shaoul Mofaz yesterday expressed his conviction that the USA will not launch an attack against Iraq before the end of February.

During his meeting with 200 heads of municipalities in Tel Aviv, Mofaz said that the "estimates of the Israeli defense ministry indicate that an American operation will not start before the end of February or the beginning of March." He denied rumors in Israel speaking about an American attack as from today's ( Saturday) evening.

He reiterated that in case of an American attack against Iraq, the dangers of Israel's exposure to an Iraqi response are very weak.." In this regard, Mofaz indicated that the "Americans made assurances to Israel they will interfere in the beginning of the campaign in west Iraq to prevent the launching of missiles" against Israel.