http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-israel-weapons0104jan04.story?coll=sns%2Dap%2Dnationworld%2Dheadlines

Israel Claims Weapons Interception

By STEVE WEIZMAN Associated Press Writer

January 4, 2002, 8:01 AM EST

JERUSALEM -- Israeli commandos raided a vessel in the Red Sea, capturing 50 tons of Iranian-made weapons being smuggled into Palestinian territory, the army chief announced Friday.

The vessel, Karim A., was seized Thursday in international waters about 300 miles from Israel's Red Sea port Eilat in a joint operation by Israel's navy, air force and intelligence services, Lt. Gen. Shaul Mofaz told a news conference.

The ship carried 50 tons of mainly Iranian-manufactured arms and munitions, including mortars and anti-tank missiles, Mofaz said. No one was hurt in the raid, described by Mofaz as "daring and complex."

The army chief said the Palestinian Authority was deeply involved in the smuggling effort. He said the vessel had been bought by Yasser Arafat's government and the captain and several crew members were members of the Palestinian naval police. He did not immediately say where the boat's port of departure had been.

Mofaz said the interception was proof that the Palestinian Authority was "infected by terrorism from head to toe."

There was no immediate Palestinian Authority comment.

The announcement came as U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni held a second day of meetings in the region to try to shore up a cease-fire. Israel's allegations of involvement in weapons smuggling could prove deeply embarrassing to Arafat at a time when the Palestinian leader is trying to persuade the United States that he is make an intense effort to combat terrorism.

Mofaz said that among the weapons seized on the vessel were long-range missiles, mortars, mines and advanced explosives -- weapons the Palestinian Authority is not permitted to have under interim peace accords with Israel. Copyright © 2002, The Associated Press

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2002