AMMAN, OCT 6, SPA -- U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DONALD RUMSFELD HAS REJECTED AN INVITATION TO VISIT ISRAEL DURING HIS RECENT TOUR OF THE REGION.

ISRAELI NEWS PAPER 'YEDIOT AHARONOT,' QUOTED ISRAELI SOURCES AS SAYING THAT RUMSFELD REJECTED THE INVITATION FROM ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER BINYAMIN BEN ELIEZER.

THE PAPER EXPLAINED THAT THE REASON BEHIND THIS DECISION WAS THAT WASHINGTON HAD WISHED TO KEEP ISRAEL AWAY FROM PLAYING ANY ROLE IN THE ALLIANCE AGAINST TERRORISM FEARING THAT ARAB COUNTRIES WOULD ABSTAIN FROM JOINING THE ALLIANCE BECAUSE OF ISRAEL
Source: SPA©

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