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Last Updated January 17, 2002

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Cohen Rebukes Israelis Bluntly on Sale of Radar Systems to China
Headline:Cohen Rebukes Israelis Bluntly on Sale of Radar Systems to China
Date:4 April 2000
Bibliography:William A Orme Jr., New York Times, 4 April 2000
Orig. Src.:

Abstract:
As per a defense deal between Israel and China, Israel is to sell an advanced Phalcon advance early warning radar (AWACS) system produced by Elta, a subsidiary of state-owned Israel Aircraft Industries. The system is to be mounted on top of a Russian Ilyushin IL76 transport aircraft. The deal, reportedly worth $250 million, may become worth $1 billion if China decides to expand it. Chinese President Jiang Zemin is arriving in Israel on 6 April 2000 during his state visit to Middle East countries. One of the items on the agenda during his visit, the first ever by a Chinese head of state to Israel, will be increasing purchases of Israeli arms by China. One of the AWACS planes has already been delivered and China has the option to buy more.

The US has strongly criticized the sale of the Israeli AWACS, which are reportedly superior to the AWACS that the US deploys in the Taiwan-China area. US Secretary of Defense William Cohen said, "The US does not support the sale of this type of technology to China because of the potential of changing the strategic balance in that region. With tensions running as high as they are between China and Taiwan, we see this as being counterproductive, so I have expressed that to the Prime Minister. "[1] The Clinton Administration fears the Phalcon sale to China will make it harder to win congressional approval of military aid of $17 billion that Israel is seeking to beef up its security. [2] The US has asked Israel to cancel the deal with China.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on 3 April 2000 rejected the US request for cancellation of the AWACS deal with China, but suggested that Israel would pay more heed to US concerns about future arms sales. Barak said, "We are aware of the sensitivity in the US with regard to China, we are of course aware of our commitments to the contracts we signed." Israeli military sales to China have been an irritant in the US-Israeli relationship for more than a decade. US officials say Israel has helped China develop more advanced jet fighters and missiles. The total value of trade between the two countries is estimated to be $3 billion. Israeli government sources said on 1 April that Israel has a vital interest in close ties with China, both because it is an up-and-coming superpower, and also because of its links with Iran and other Gulf states. [3]

Supporting Sources:

[1] Arieh O'Sullivan and Danna Harman, "PM Firm on Arms Sales to China," Jerusalem Post, 4 April 2000, pp.1.

[2] Nomi Morris, knight Ridder, "Israel to Sell Plane to China Despite US," Philadelphia Inquirer, 4 April 2000.

[3] "Barak Tends to Back Deal With China Despite US 'Pressure' FBIS," Document GMP20000402000031, 2 April 2000.

CNSThis material is produced independently for NTI by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2003 by MIIS.

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