DATE=6/30/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / U-S / CHINA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263929
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Top Israeli officials are indicating the
controversial sale of an advanced radar plane to
China may be cancelled, after strong protests
about the arms deal from the United States.
V-O-A Correspondent Meredith Buel has details
from Jerusalem.
TEXT: Israeli Cabinet minister Haim Ramon, a
close confidant of Prime Minister Ehud Barak, is
indicating Israel should cancel the sale of an
advanced radar plane to China in order to retain
its good relations with the United States.
Mr. Ramon says Israel needs to choose between the
interests of its military industry and its long-
standing links to the United States.
The Phalcon early-warning system is being
manufactured by Israel under a military contract
signed with Beijing.
The deal is worth 250-million dollars per plane
and has a potential price tag of billions of
dollars.
The U-S Defense Department has repeatedly
expressed concern that the plane could be used
against American aircraft if a war breaks out in
the Taiwan Strait.
Earlier this week, U-S Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright urged top Israeli officials to
scrap the deal.
/// ALBRIGHT ACT ///
We have made quite clear our concern about
the potential Phalcon sale. At the same
time, we have also made very clear over the
years that the security of Israel is of
major importance to the United States. //
OPT // We have made clear our constant
statements about making sure that Israel
has a qualitative edge, and our security
relationship is a very good one. As far as
the sale itself is concerned, we are
involved in a serious process with Israel
to deal with the issue. // END OPT //
/// END ACT ///
President Clinton has also expressed his concern
about the weapons deal. Members of the U-S
Congress are calling on Israel to terminate the
sale, or risk losing hundreds of millions of
dollars in foreign aid.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman in Beijing said this
week the United States should not interfere in
the development of relations between Israel and
China.
The contract with China has opened the first
major diplomatic disagreement between the Clinton
administration and Prime Minister Barak.
/// OPT /// The rift comes during a critical
time in the Middle East peace process. Israel
and the United States are trying to convince the
Palestinians to attend a summit, while Mr.
Barak's government is asking for billions of
dollars to help pay for security arrangements
after any peace accord is signed.
Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy, speaking
through a translator, says Israel will do nothing
that harms the interests of the United States.
/// OPT LEVY/TRANSLATOR ACT ///
It is clear, and we say this clearly
without hesitation, that Israel, as a
friend, and perhaps I can say the closest
friend of the United States, will not do
anything - anything -- that would harm the
national interests of the United States, or
especially, the security of the United
States in any way. We hope that in the few
days to come we will find the solution that
will be of satisfaction to both sides. But
just the feeling itself that Israel, in
some way or another, might harm the United
States -- that is a serious matter, and
that is what must be removed as soon as
possible.
/// END ACT /// /// END OPT ///
Israel's Deputy Defense Minister, Ephraim Sneh,
is expected to lead a delegation to Washington
next month in an attempt to defuse the
controversy over the weapons sale to China.
Until the situation is resolved, as the daily
Ha'aretz newspaper said, "the Phalcon will
continue to be a sword of Damocles hanging over
Israel's head." (Signed)
NEB/MB/GE/WTW
30-Jun-2000 08:52 AM EDT (30-Jun-2000 1252 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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