DATE=4/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / CHINA (L)
NUMBER=2-261292
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICE AT:
INTRO: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak says he has
discussed with Chinese President Jiang Zemin a
controversial sale of Israeli military technology to
Beijing. As V-O-A Correspondent Meredith Buel
reports, the remarks came during a joint news
conference held in Jerusalem.
TEXT: Prime Minister Barak says he and Chinese
President Jiang Zemin have discussed Israel's planned
sale of a sophisticated, early warning radar aircraft
to Beijing - a transaction strongly opposed by the
United States.
/// BARAK ACT ///
Of course we talked about it. We attach high
importance to our relationship with China and to
our credibility. We are fully aware of the
American concerns and sensitivity. We will not
convey or transfer American technologies, and we
will maintain discussions with the American
authorities in regard to this issue.
/// END ACT ///
Prime Minister Barak twice intercepted questions about
the arms deal to President Jiang, who made no comments
about the transaction.
U-S officials oppose the sale because of concerns the
radar plane could be used against Taiwanese and
American aircraft during a military conflict in the
Pacific.
Israel is charging China 250-million dollars for one
plane and future orders could be worth billions of
dollars.
Speaking through a translator, Chinese Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Spokesman Zhu Bangzao, said it is the
United States, not Israel, that should reduce arms
sales to foreign countries.
// ZHU TRANSLATOR ACT Act //
What I wish to point out here is that I think it
is better for the United States to sell less
arms abroad. That is because right now the
United States is selling large amounts of
weaponry to Taiwan, which is a province of
China.
/// END ACT ///
Earlier President Jiang met with members of the
Israeli parliament, who brought up the sensitive issue
of human rights in China.
Parliament Speaker Avraham Burg says lawmakers
questioned Mr. Jiang about China's human rights record
and chided the Chinese leader for the lack of
democracy in his country.
Mr. Jiang also visited Israel's memorial to victims of
the Holocaust where he saw harrowing photographs of
victims of the Nazi slaughter in World War Two.
On Friday Mr. Jiang is scheduled to visit an Israeli
collective farm in the desert to learn about computer-
controlled irrigation systems for agriculture.
(Signed)
NEB/MB/gm
13-Apr-2000 16:13 PM EDT (13-Apr-2000 2013 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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