PERES SIGNS DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY ISRAEL LINE MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1996 Prime Minister and Defense Minister Shimon Peres arrived in Washington on Sunday and met with U.S. President Bill Clinton, Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported. The two heads of state discussed defense cooperation between Israel and the U.S., and the recently reached understandings regarding southern Lebanon. Both Clinton and Peres addressed the annual convention of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. HA'ARETZ reported that Clinton and Peres are expected to issue a joint declaration on Tuesday regarding the deepening of strategic ties between their countries. YEDIOT AHARONOT reported that Peres and U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry signed a cooperation to improve Israel's defense against missile attacks. The agreement includes three means of achieving this goal: the acceleration in the development of a laser cannon capable of destroying Katyusha rockets; the instantaneous transfer from the U.S. to Israel of information on missile launches against Israel; and the continuation of Israel's Arrow missile project. DAVAR RISHON reported that Peres and Perry also signed an agreement for Israel and the U.S. to expand collaboration in combating terrorism. During a signing ceremony in Washington, Perry declared that the U.S. administration is committed to protecting Israel's qualitative advantage in the Middle East. ISRAEL LINE
