ACCESSION NUMBER:00000 FILE ID:96042903.txt DATE:04/29/96 TITLE:29-04-96 TEXT: DOD ON U.S.-ISRAEL JOINT STATEMENT ON MISSILE DEFENSE TEXT: (Reaffirms U.S. support of Israel's efforts, DoD says) (300) Washington -- Defense Secretary Perry and Prime Minister Peres of Israel signed a joint statement of intent on theater missile defense cooperation April 28. The joint statement reaffirms U.S. support of Israel's efforts "to develop a defense against ballistic missiles," the Defense Department said. Following is the text of the official release from Defense Link: (begin text) U.S.-ISRAEL SIGN JOINT STATEMENT OF INTENT ON THEATER MISSILE DEFENSE U.S. Defense Secretary William J. Perry and Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres today signed a joint Statement of Intent (SOI) on theater missile defense cooperation. The SOI, signed in ceremonies here, reaffirms the United States' support of Israel's efforts to develop a defense against ballistic missiles. Recently, the two nations signed an international agreement for the ARROW Deployability Program, which will conclude the development and provide for the initial deployment of the ARROW weapon system that will provide Israel with an enhanced defense against ballistic missiles. In recognition that defense of Israel can be more effective ensuring that Israel's theater ballistic missiles defenses are integrated with U.S. capabilities, the ARROW ADP sets the requirements and plans for the two nations to enhance interoperability in theater ballistic missile defense. Other aspects of the agreement are: The U.S. military will begin developing arrangements to upgrade regional ballistic missile early warning with Israel; Israel and the U.S. will pursue other activities that both sides agree would lead to a more effective theater missile defense cooperation between them; and the establishment of a senior-level policy advisory group to support these efforts. The group will work in close coordination on technical matters regarding interoperability. (end text) NNNN .
