Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Interview with Shlomo Brom

Aired August 15, 2002 - 09:16   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Now, back to the growing talk of war with Iraq. An American military analyst reportedly has told Congress that if Iraq attacks Israel with nonconventional weapons, causing massive civilian casualties, that the Israelis could respond with a nuclear weapon. The Israeli options were outlined in today's issue of the "Ha'aretz" newspaper.
From Tel Aviv, we are joined now by Shlomo Brom, who is a retired Israeli brigadier general with reaction to all of this. Good morning, Mr. Brom, thanks for joining us.

SHLOMO BROM, RETIRED ISRAELI BRIGADIER GENERAL: Good morning.

ZAHN: First off, what do you make of this report?

BROM: Well, I think it's only the personal opinion of my good friend Tony Cordesman. I don't think than the scenario that he is talking -- that he describe is a probable one, so I do not believe that Israel would have to face this test.

ZAHN: And why do you believe that?

BROM: Because, as far as I know, the number of missiles equipped with nonconventional warheads, whether chemical or biological, that the Iraqis have is small one, and all capabilities to intercept and shoot down these missiles are much better than used to be in the Gulf War in '91.

ZAHN: There are a number of reports in newspapers here stateside that said that Israel now is preparing its citizens for several doomsday scenarios, that they are vaccinating emergency workers against smallpox, and considering the mass distribution of anti- radiation pills.

Explain to us what your understanding is of the level of preparation now, if there is an Iraqi attack.

BROM: Well, the security community in Israel, the defense community, has to take precautions for any eventuality, and assuming that Saddam has these warheads, and we do not have definite indications that he doesn't have them, we have to take into account that he will try to launch some of these warheads at Israel, and a few may hit Israel. But, I do not think that the scope of the damage will be such that Israel will have to -- to think about reactions for doomsday scenarios.

ZAHN: But if -- you were talking about Israel having the sophisticated technology, perhaps, to shoot missiles down, if they are lobbed from Iraq, and you say potentially some could hit Israel. If they do hit Israel, and there are massive civilian casualties, what then would you tell the Israeli government to do to retaliate?

BROM: First of all, I don't think there will be massive civilian casualties, because when you combine the effect of the missile defense that we have, and the passive precautions, the masks and the sealed rooms, and the preparedness for medical treatment, et cetera, this scenario is of a very low probability, and therefore, I don't think that there is any reason to discuss such speculative scenarios.

ZAHN: You refer to your friend Tony Cordesman, who was involved in preparing this report, who talked about the possibility of Israelis using nuclear weapons if attacked. Do you think he is overreacting here, is that what you are saying?

BROM: I think that he is -- you may say overreacting. Well, I don't know whether Israel have nuclear weapons or not. It is assumed everywhere that they have, and it is assumed, also, that Israel will use it when it will face an existing (ph) threat. The question whether a certain situation is an existent (ph) threat or not could be examined only when it happens.

ZAHN: And I guess everybody is hoping that is not a scenario that ever plays out, obviously. Shlomo Brom, we appreciate your coming in to shed some light on this report, that has made a lot of news in the Middle East, and the "Ha'aretz" newspaper. Appreciate your insights.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com