DATE=7/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / ISRAEL / CHINA (L UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-264362
BYLINE=LUIS RAMIREZ
DATELINE=THURMONT, MARYLAND
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Bowing to U-S concerns, Israel is calling off
a deal with China for the sale of an aircraft equipped
with advanced early warning radar technology. V-O-A's
Luis Ramirez reports the announcement came during the
Middle East peace summit at Camp David outside
Washington.
TEXT: The announcement came from Israeli spokesman
Gadi Baltiansky, who spoke to reporters in Thurmont,
Maryland, near the site of the ongoing Middle East
peace talks.
/// BALTIANSKY ACT ///
We have informed the U-S and China about our
intention not to continue with the PHALCON deal.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Baltiansky said he did not want to get into the
reasons for the cancellation, but he said Israel is
aware of American concerns and interests.
The United States had opposed the 250 million dollar
deal, citing concerns that it may shift the balance of
military power in the Taiwan Straits and endanger U-S
forces. Some members of Congress had threatened to
block military aid to Israel if it went ahead with
the sale.
Speaking at a news briefing, White House spokesman Joe
Lockhart welcomed the Israeli announcement.
The deal involved the sale of one plane equipped with
PHALCON early warning radar technology to China, with
an option for Beijing to buy several more aircraft and
equipment in the future.
Analysts say Israel heeded the United States' calls to
scrap the sale as a precondition for sending more U-S
military aid that Israel would need to implement the
security terms of an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord.
(SIGNED)
NEB/LR/AMAHL/KBK
12-Jul-2000 13:41 PM EDT (12-Jul-2000 1741 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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