-Caveat Lector- >From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2249599.stm
Tuesday, 10 September, 2002, 17:39 GMT 18:39 UK Israel warns of war over water Israel once controlled the River Hasbani An alleged Lebanese scheme to divert water from a river feeding Israel's largest reservoir could provoke a war, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has warned. Israeli army radio quoted the prime minister as saying on Tuesday that the issue constituted a "casus belli", or "grounds for war". He was addressing senior military and civilian officials after a cabinet meeting. Lebanon opened a pumping-station on the River Hasbani in the spring of 2001 to irrigate a drought- stricken village but denies that it plans to dam the river. The river supplies between 20 and 25% of the water flowing into the Sea of Galilee, an official at Israel's Ministry of Agriculture was quoted as saying by the French news agency AFP. It rises in Lebanon and flows for about 50 kilometres (30 miles) through its territory before joining the River Jordan and emptying into the Sea of Galilee. Warning Army radio said Mr Sharon had notified the United States that Israel could mount military operations should Lebanon begin pumping water out of the Hasbani or its tributary, the River Wazzani. The Israeli Transportation Minister, Ephraim Sneh, said Mr Sharon had called for a "good and enlightened way" to settle the issue but was ready to "act". The project has drawn criticism from Israel "If Lebanon put into effect its project to siphon water from the river, it would be serious enough a reason for Israel to act," Mr Sneh told the radio station. A spokesman for the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon has denied Beirut is siphoning water from the Hasbani, saying it is only piping water to a village suffering a shortage. At a ceremony to mark the start of the new water supply to the village of Wazzani last March, a Lebanese Government official said it was a "first step". "This is the first step towards liberating our water, a symbol of sovereignty and simple rights," said Qablan Qablan at the opening of the pumping station. Israel controlled the Hasbani during its occupation of southern Lebanon in 1978-2000. See also: 28 Mar 01 | Middle East Lebanon hails 'liberation of water' 02 Jun 00 | Middle East Water conflict in Middle East 16 Mar 99 | Middle East Analysis: The politics of water Internet links: Israel Government Gateway Lebanese Presidency The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Middle East stories now: Palestinian cabinet resigns Annan warns US over Iraq Iraqi TV says US attacked itself Bin Laden 'voice' lists hijackers Israel warns of war over water Canada protests stop Netanyahu speech 'Bin Laden' speech excerpts Iran readies for Iraqi war refugees Links to more Middle East stories are at the foot of the page. E-mail this story to a friend ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A<>E<>R + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Forwarded as information only; I don't believe everything I read or send (but that doesn't stop me from considering it; obviously SOMEBODY thinks it's important) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." --- Ernest Hemingway <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
