European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 23, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday february 23,1991 the stars and stripes Page 5 War in the Gulf israeli intelligence accused of erring in assessing Iraq a a by the Cox news service Jerusalem a israelis heralded intelligence agencies Are being accused of badly underestimating the threat from iraqis military especially its ability to sustain scud Issue attacks against the jewish state. The highly charged Public debate is disturbing of a country that for decades has taken Pride in its ability to obtain essential intelligence behind the doubts is a fundamental question that until now has Only been whispered would israelis military Intilli Gynce have been be Good enough to allow it to successfully face Iraq alone criticism has come from the left and the right and the Prospect of a postwar commission of inquiry which no one seems to want has already been raised. The flowering Public controversy has its political Side As members of the ruling Hartline liked bloc try to shed responsibility for intelligence shortcomings on the opposition labor party. Before the liked assumed Power in mid-1990, the two parties led a National Unity government with labor in charge of Security matters. Militant right Wing minister Ariel Sharon a former general with aspirations to Lead the country said thursday that the military in recent years gave the government accurate intelligence but that neither labor nor liked defense ministers used it correctly. Public criticism is focusing on the same perceived flaws in israelis intelligence about Iraq. Based on statements of Public officials news reports interviews and political and military responses to events since Iraa a invasion of Kuwait on aug. 2, Israel s. Prewar intelligence appears to have been deficient in the following respects a on accurately assessing iraqis capability to mount chemical warheads atop Long Range scud missiles. Although none of the missiles fired at Israel has carried 7 chemical weapons the intelligence Agen Sands of time cies no longer doubt that they could. A on the numbers of iraqis scud mis Sites and its stationary and fixed scud launchers. At least 36 scuds have been fired at Israel an average of one a Day since the Gulf War began. A on the extent to which iraqi troops and command and control centers were dug in and buried in fortified Concrete  a on israelis ability to read Saddam Hussein a intentions before and alter he invaded Kuwait on aug. 2. Judging from the warnings of Israel s military in the past is months there is no doubt it was generally aware of the full potential of iraqis threat. But judging from the military a Public and private comments during that same period specific information was often lacking especially about iraqis chemical weapons capability and the scope of its scud missile Arsenal. Defense minister Moshe Arens told parliaments foreign affairs and defense committee tuesday that israelis intelligence should be reassessed after the War. A when the time comes for reappraisal a Arens said a we shall have to see to what degree our intelligence agencies were capable of identifying the mag tude of that Power with its Large conventional capability and its wide ranging non conventional weapons infrastructure.�?�. V. One military official suggested that Arens knows where the weaknesses Are a karens is not an idiot a the official said. A the has a total  Yossi Sarid a representative m parliament of the left Wing citizens rights movement said a i can Tell you in the most authoritative Way there Wasny to the faintest idea How Many missiles we were speaking of How Many launchers there were. And whether there were chemical warheads or  medal authorized the Pentagon announced thursday that Secretary of defense Dick Cheney has authorized the award of the National defense service medal to All members of. The armed forces who were on Active duty after aug. 2, 1990, whether or not they served in the persian Gulf. The red White Blue and Gold ribbon is coupled to a Circle of brass bearing an Eagle and the words a National  the medal was awarded service Mem ers during the korean and Vietnam wars. In the stars and stripes 40 years ago today. Feb. 23, 1951 a police in Weinheim Germany announced the Roundup of 200 women wanted for questioning regarding what police said was a an Akir Ming increase in abortions in the area. Officials said at least seven women lost their lives at the hands of professional abortionists 30 years ago today. Feb. 23, 1961 a Ohio state ran its re Cord to 20-0 with a 62-61 Victory Over Iowa Ato remain the Only undefeated major College basketball team in the nation. 20 years ago today. Feb.-23, 1971 a dozens of Tornado store across the Mississippi Delta resulting in the deaths of 75 people. To years ago today. Feb. 23, 1981 a police said the bomb blast that ripped through the basement of radio free Europe in Munich injuring eight people and disrupting broadcasts to the soviet Union appeared to be the work of political extremists. War dims Iraq s Hopes for Good Harvest a a a a. A. A. K. I i. .1 f. Nicosia Cyprus a the War has denied Iraq the manpower fuel and transport needed to Harvest what had promised to be a bumper Spring crop. Food experts now say the Best Hope for hungry iraqis is that Baghdad will quickly be Defeated. Then thousands of tons of emergency food could flow into the country and Farmers could receive essential supplies. A. A right now its pretty Bleak a said John Parker who has been monitoring the situation for the  department of agriculture. A a food stocks Are Low prices Are High. Everyone is wondering How  get the Harvest in a he said in a Telephone interview from Washington. Iraq had been counting on increased production to make up for some of the food lost in August when the United nations imposed a Trade embargo to Force Iraq to relinquish Kuwait. Before then Iraq imported about 80 percent of its food and investment in agriculture was second Only to military spending. Iraqis ate Well and plenty. But by september the country began rationing flour cooking Oil Rice sugar and other food. Bakeries closed. People began extending wheat used for baking bread with ground Barlev and other grains normally used to feed animals. Without livestock feed Farmers slaughtered chickens and sheep. For a Tew months Baghdad markets displayed Mounds of meat plus Truit and vegetables. A but As supplies diminished iraqis 18 million people looked toward the Spring Harvest. Weather was Good. The . Agriculture department has predicted a wheat Harvest of 1.5 million toys double the amount of last year although still Only 30 percent of what iraqis eat in Normal times. Washington a the Pentagon is ordering 44,000 shrapnel Propec Tion vests to begin replacing those that might be lost during a prolonged ground Battle. The initial order for replacement fragmentation vests is expected to be followed by separate contracts for 256,000 More by the end of March military logistics officials said thursday. A a we be got an ample number in Supply but we done to know the magnitude of what might happen a said Frank John son a spokesman for the defense personnel support Center in Philadelphia. Nearly every . Soldier in the persian Gulf has a Vest 300,000 is an Sib mate of How Many new ones would of needed if there is a prolonged ground War Johnson said. The vests protect troops from Metal fragments thrown in the air by land mines mortar shells artillery fire and grenades. They Are not bulletproof. The $9.9 million contract with Greenbrier industries for the first 44,000 vests announced by the Pentagon late wednesday was the military s 111>t order Lor the vests since operation desert storm began Jan. 17. A we re shipping  Ciree Brier pc silent Jack Arilon said irom the company a Headquarters in Englewood Dills . 11c  plans to turn out about 3,000 vests a week at its Plant in Clinton Tenn.  Are made of 13 layers of a Strong synthetic fiber that is used for the inner sections of automotive tires