DATE=4/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / JIANG (L)
NUMBER=2-261223
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICE AT:
INTRO: Chinese President Jiang Zemin has begun a
visit to Israel that is expected to focus on the sale
of advanced military equipment - a transaction
strongly opposed by the United States. Correspondent
Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem.
TEXT: President Jiang Zemin is the first Chinese
head-of-state to visit Israel as part of a bi-lateral
relationship that relies heavily on the sale of
Israeli military equipment to Beijing.
Israel is currently building a sophisticated early-
warning radar aircraft for China. The 250-million
dollar deal is strongly opposed by the United States
because of concerns it could upset the military
balance in the Pacific.
U-S officials are worried the plane could be used
against Taiwanese or American aircraft during a
military conflict in Asia.
China reportedly wants to buy more of the planes, but
the United States has urged Israel to cancel the sale.
Foreign Minister David Levy says Israel will do
nothing to harm the United States, but indicated arms
sales to China will continue.
State-owned Israel Aircraft Industries, which won the
contract to build the radar aircraft, employs
thousands of people and China is one of its best
customers.
Israel and China established diplomatic relations in
1992, and ties have grown, despite Beijing's
consistent support of a Palestinian homeland. Mr.
Jiang is scheduled to visit Palestinian-controlled
territories during his trip.
Israel's first ambassador to China, Zev Sufott, says
Beijing's primary interest in its relationship with
Israel is obtaining military technology.
/// SUFOTT ACT ///
Of course, this is what originally, over 20-
years ago, brought China and Israel together -
China's interest in Israel technologically.
Israel's both agricultural technology and our
military technology, but of course originally
our military technology.
/// END ACT ///
/// OPT /// While China has played a limited role in
the Middle East peace process, President Jiang's visit
is expected to raise Beijing's profile in the region.
The Australian ambassador to Israel, Richard Rigby,
who has held diplomatic posts in China, says Beijing
would be a welcome participant in peacemaking efforts.
/// OPT // RIGBY ACT ///
While China has its good relationship with
Israel now, it continues to have good relations
with other countries in the region. One would
hope that China would be able to exercise a
positive influence in helping to bring about
greater stability and understanding within the
Middle East as a whole.
/// END ACT // END OPT ///
In addition to arms sales, Israel and China also have
a large trade relationship in commercial and hi-tech
merchandise that totaled hundreds-of-millions of
dollars last year.
Mr. Jiang is scheduled to tour telecommunications and
computer software firms, and sign agreements on
industrial research and development. The Chinese
president is to meet Thursday with Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Barak. (SIGNED)
NEB/MB/JWH/RAE
12-Apr-2000 12:20 PM EDT (12-Apr-2000 1620 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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