Chief of Staff Gen, Rafael Eitan told Israel Radio that Israel had no intention of attacking the newly-emplaced Soviet-made and apparently Soviet-manned SAM-5 missiles inside Syria.
In an interview with the army radio, Eitan said: “I don’t know on what basis they (the Syrians) are ascribing or announcing such intentions. It may be that they are simply making mistaken assessments, and it may be that with such words they are disguising their own intentions.”
He said he would not completely eliminate the possibility that the Syrians, under Soviet urging, might take “some sort of initiative against Israel.”
Some Israeli military leaders have said recently that the missiles are only a relatively minor problem tactically, and that Israel has the capability to deal with them. But the political aspects are said to be more complicated and worrying, indicating an increased Soviet involvement in the area.
Recently appointed Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Amos Lapidot last week down-graded the military importance of the Soviet-made SAM-5 missiles on Syrian territory.
In his first interview since taking over the command, in the current issue of the Israel Air Force magazine, Lapidot said the missiles were a “tactical problem” with which the Israel Air Force could deal.
“There may be political aspects — such as deeper Soviet involvement in Syria and the entire area. But that is not within my province. They are older missiles, developed some time ago and based on technology which is not too sophisticated,” the commander said.
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