ISRAEL APPROVES MILITARY SATELLITE PROJECT

TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Israel's military has approved the launch of a $390million project to construct a communications satellite meant to link allthree branches and conduct joint operations far from the country's borders. The project was approved in principle in September and provides thegreen light for a feasibility study to ensure that Israeli contractors cansupply the technology required to meet the demands of the military. Thestudy is expected to be completed within weeks, at which point themilitary and Defense Ministry will debate whether the project should enterproduction.