Chief of Staff Gen. Mordechai Gur said today that the army will continue to strengthen its lines in Sinai notwithstanding any diplomatic talks that might take place with Egypt. He said in an Army Radio broadcast that Israel’s military preparedness cannot be determined by diplomatic possibilities but only by military realities. The present situation is that the Egyptians and other Arab armies are growing stronger and Israel’s army must prepare itself accordingly, Gur stated.
He said the defense line on the Golan Heights is now much stronger and that a “substantial obstacle” has been built up in Sinai against a possible Egyptian attack. Defenses along the Jordanian front have also been strengthened, he said. Gur affirmed that he was confident that the Israeli army has made better use of the current cease-fire than the Arabs and are capable of handling any situation.
Although Israel is in the grip of economic austerity, Gur said the army will spare no expense where the procurement of equipment and the establishment of new units is concerned. He added, however, that many steps have been taken to reduce costs in less vital areas.
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