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`Israel will help India fight terrorism'

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI July10. Israel will assist India in its battle against terrorism, the visiting Israeli special envoy, David Ivry, said at a press conference here today. Mr. Ivry, who has had meetings with the External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, and the National Security Adviser, Brajesh Mishra, said that a suggested "alliance'' between India, the United States and Israel would not be on paper.

Asked to comment on suggestions for closer relations between India, the U.S. and Israel, Mr. Ivry said that a recent speech by the National Security Adviser, Brajesh Mishra, in Washington, implied that all the three countries should cooperate in fighting terrorism. It was very important that "democratic societies'' should cooperate in the battle to protect their societies.

"The U.S. can be the leader and we (Israel and India) can contribute as much as we can.'' On specific areas of cooperation between India and Israel, he said that sharing of intelligence was very important. To questions on a scheduled visit by the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, to India, he confirmed that Mr. Sharon would be coming to New Delhi within the year.

Mr. Ivry, who was the commander of the Israeli Air Force at the time of the attack on the Iraqi nuclear reactor in Osirak, said that the dates for Mr. Sharon's visit were still being worked out. Referring to the Israeli-Palestinian "road map'', he said that a complex situation prevailed in the region. However, Israel wanted to give every chance for the peace process to succeed.

In his view, Israel was "giving a chance'' to the new Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas, to succeed, but he felt that there was no reduction in the level of violence. There was no possibility of a Palestinian State coming into existence if "terrorism'' against Israel did not end.

Asked about the recent statement made by the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, that Islambad was looking at the possibility of building ties with Israel, Mr. Ivry said: "It's very nice.'' Israel wanted to be recognised by everyone. However, he pointed out that Israel's relations with India were "very important".

In a bid to ensure that India would not "misunderstand'' if eventually Pakistan and Israel were to establish diplomatic relations, he said that Tel Aviv would coordinate with India on the issue.

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