(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn - During discussions with Egypt on the deployment of its forces along the border in Sinai to prevent the smuggling of weapons to the Palestinians, the Israeli defense establishment has been concerned about the proposed upgrading of the Egyptian military with advanced American weapons systems at a time when Egyptian commanders still consider Israel a potential threat against which they must prepare themselves. For this reason, when the Egyptians ask that the new Border Guard be equipped with armored personnel vehicles and certain types of weaponry, the Israelis say no. The Shin Bet emphasizes the "intolerable" gap between Egyptian promises and actions.
2005-03-07 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive