DATE=2/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227215
TITLE=ISRAEL/MOSSAD (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=AL PESSIN
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE HEAD OF ISRAEL'S "MOSSAD" INTELLIGENCE AGENCY HAS  
RESIGNED OVER LAST YEAR'S FAILED ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON A 
LEADER OF THE MILITANT PALESTINIAN GROUP, "HAMAS."  V-O-A'S AL 
PESSIN REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM.

TEXT:  AFTER A WEEK OF GROWING PRESSURE TO STEP DOWN, MOSSAD 
CHIEF DANNY YATOM SUBMITTED HIS RESIGNATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER
ON TUESDAY.  LAST WEEK, A SPECIAL COMMISSION BLAMED THE FAILED 
OPERATION AND ITS AFTERMATH ON OVERCONFIDENCE IN MOSSAD AND POOR 
PLANNING BY MR. YATOM.

LAST SEPTEMBER IN AMMAN, JORDAN, MOSSAD AGENTS ATTACKED HAMAS 
LEADER KHALED MESHAL, INJECTING HIM WITH A POISON.  BUT THE 
AGENTS WERE CAPTURED AND EXPOSED.  JORDAN'S KING HUSSEIN INSISTED
THAT ISRAEL PROVIDE THE ANTIDOTE TO KEEP MR. MESHAL ALIVE, AND 
FORCED THE RELEASE OF THE HAMAS SPIRITUAL LEADER, SHEIKH AHMED 
YASSIN, AND DOZENS OF OTHER PALESTINIANS HELD IN ISRAELI JAILS. 

THE KING IS STILL ANGRY OVER THE INCIDENT, AND REFUSED TO RESUME 
FULL COOPERATION WITH ISRAEL AS LONG AS MR. YATOM WAS IN OFFICE. 
(SIGNED) 

NEB/AWP/PCF 

24-Feb-98 10:35 AM EST (1535 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.