Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Buck stops at his desk

Friday, Jan. 24, 2003 | 9:10 a.m.

SEVERAL BATTERIES of upgraded Patriot antimissile systems and 600 American soldiers are now conducting military exercises with Israeli Defense Forces. According to recent reports, they will be there for at least another month.

Although the Patriot missiles weren't very effective in shooting down Scuds in 1991, we are told the new missiles are much improved. Today the Patriots will probably be used against Scuds not at high altitudes. The Israeli Arrow antimissile system, developed along with the United States, is scheduled for taking out Scuds or other missiles before they start their downward flight. The Arrow is still available only in limited numbers, according to news reports.

The American troops will find the people of Israel good hosts and its troops willing to compete with them in athletic events. In 1991 the Israelis learned not to play baseball or softball with the Americans and the Yanks learned to hide the soccer balls when the Israelis showed up. I found the Patriot batteries in action rather fascinating. Some of the soldiers enjoyed a Shabbat dinner with me at the home of Bella and Amnon Shochat. Their son Eli, an Israeli soldier, was attending UNLV at the time. Having spent three days at Ft. Bliss, Texas, the home of the Patriot, before going to Israel in 1991 provided me with some names of troops to contact. Prior to arriving in the Middle East I read a newspaper story that gave the following account:

"American soldiers manning Patriot missile batteries are receiving a warm welcome in Israel. The soldiers are under a veritable barrage of cakes, care packages, visits and good wishes from the thankful Israeli citizens. Posters on Jerusalem-bound buses say, 'Yankee, Welcome Home to Israel!'

"The Israeli telephone company has placed special phone lines at the batteries so GI's can connect directly to operators in the U.S. for calls to their homes.

"The U.S. soldiers have been 'adopted' by units of the Israeli army, which have provided snacks and comradeship. Shekem, the Israel Defense Forces 'PX,' is arranging a call in services so that Israelis can order gift packs for American soldiers. The Haifa merchants have donated transistor radios to the Patriot battery near there. The Haifa USO is also collecting letters, packages and children's drawings for the U.S. troops in the gulf."

The Americans in Israel today will also receive a warm reception from the people of that nation. Large numbers of Israelis can easily relate to Americans because they have friends and relatives in the United States. A smaller number of Israelis were born and raised in some of the cities that are called home by the American troops.

Although Arafat hasn't recently opened his mouth in support of Saddam, his followers have already begun demonstrating their support in the streets. In 1991 Arafat was their cheerleader. Palestinians stood on the West Bank homes and cheered as the Scuds went overhead aimed at the children of Tel Aviv, Haifa and other populated areas. This year the American soldiers will also have to be aware of Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists.

Now we must ask if history will be repeated in February 2003? Will combat be necessary to solve a problem the world has allowed to fester for 12 years? Without Saddam's brutal attack on Kuwait, do we have enough of a cause today to form a strong coalition for a war?

I don't have the answers but all Americans should know them by the first or second week of February. On Monday Hans Blix makes the report on what his weapons inspectors have found in Iraq. The following day Israel will have its national election. Most American military forces will be in position for action. Then what happens is up to President George W. Bush.