4.9.2003. HAARETZ 1. SHARON HANDS OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEALING WITH IRANIAN NUCLEAR THREAT TO MOSSAD. Opposition from other bodies: Mossad should not deal with sensitive diplomacy and nuclear issue. 2. POLICE DEMAND TAPES OF HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH APPEL FROM GILAD SHARON. 3. WIDESPREAD CRITICISM OF PARDON INITIATIVE; AHARONISHKI DECIDES TO SHELVE IDEA. Waldman attacks Commission: In light of Arabs conduct, it can be said that only 13 were killed. 4. EPHRAIM HALEVY: FATEFUL DECISIONS MADE TOO EASILY. 5. SHARON OFFERS NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CHAIR TO EILAND. 6. PUNISHMENT FOR BATTALION COMMANDER WHO ABUSED PALESTINIAN: TWO MONTHS SERVICE WORK. 7. PA: Today Abu Mazen to submit his achievements to Legislative Council.
ACHIEVEMENT FOR ARAFAT: HIS CONFIDANT EREKAT RESPONSIBLE FOR NEGOTIATIONS. 8. ISRAELI ZOHAR SHARON WINS WORLD BLIND GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCOTLAND. HATZOFEH 1. PMs son again maintains right to silence in investigation of Greek island affair. POLICE DEMAND THAT GILAD SHARON HAND OVER TAPES WITH DAVID APPEL. 2. VINOGRAD COMMITTEE: IRAQI POWS WHO RETURNED FROM IRAN HAVE INFORMATION ON RON ARAD. Israel attacked Hizbullah artillery that fired at western Galilee. Easing of conditions for Palestinians for first time since Jerusalem terror attack. Abu Mazens confidants: despite tensions with Arafat, he will not resign today. 3. SENIOR POLICE OFFICIALS: WE WILL NOT INITIATE EARLY PARDON. 4. PRESSURE ON US: TOLD SAUDIS TO WITHDRAW F-15S FROM AIR BASE CLOSE TO ISRAEL. 5. REPORT: MOSSAD DELEGATION VISITED IRAQ IN ORDER TO COORDINATE WAR ON TERROR. 6. OPPOSITION AT AUSCHWITZ TO ISRAELI FLY-BY TODAY OVER CAMP. 7. NO OFFICIAL REPRESENTIVE BOTHERED TO ATTEND POLLARD HEARING. MAARIV 1. (
). GILAD SHARONS SECRET TAPES. (
). 2. ISRAEL WANTS TO INVESTIGATE IRAQI PILOTS. Will interview pilots who were POWs in Iran regarding Ron Arad. 3. EPHRAIM HALEVY: SHARON MAKES FATEFUL DECISIONS TOO EASILY. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. (
). GILAD SHARONS SECRET TAPES. (
). ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Hatzofeh comments on the publication of the Vinograd report which states that there is no proof that Ron Arad is not alive. The editors point out that Mustafa Dirani and Sheik Obeid were brought to Israel as negotiating pawns for Ron Arad and adds that, It would be very sad if they return to their homes while the security establishment and Ron Arads family are consumed by doubt as to whether or not he is alive. The paper urges the government to take every step possible to ensure that this opportunity to bring him home is not missed. Yediot Ahronot discusses the latest predictions for economic growth in 2004, which range from 0.5% to 2.5%. The editors point out that growth will be largely dependent on the security situation and assert that, Israel without terror attacks, and in energetic negotiations with a new Palestinian administration, could easily jump on the economic recovery bandwagon
But Israel mired in war, and caught up in a whirlpool of terror and violence, will miss an opportunity to join the economic train and will continue to suffer from the considerable gap between her and the world. The paper urges the Treasury to set a 2.5% growth target for 2004.
