Beerman
06-27-2005, 07:15 PM
Israel, US to sign arms memorandum
By ARIEH O'SULLIVAN
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is expected to travel to Washington in late July to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Pentagon that effectively gives America veto power over Israeli arms sales to selected countries.
The wording of the memorandum is being hammered out now by a delegation of the Defense Ministry headed by former air force commander Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Herzl Bodinger.
Bodinger arrived in Washington over the weekend together with Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Zvi Shtauber, a former ambassador to Britain and currently head of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies. Zvia Gross, legal adviser to the ministry is also reportedly part of the delegation.
According to Israel's ambassador to Washington, the memorandum would help enhance defense ties.
"Israel's willingness to sign the memorandum is not surrender; it's a great achievement," Ayalon said in an interview with Globes. "Such a memorandum would have prevented regrettable affairs, such as the Phalcon and the Harpy," Ayalon added, in reference to two weapon systems sold to China that the United States blocked.
Ayalon put a positive spin on the memorandum, saying it would allow upgraded technological cooperation with the United States.
"This settlement will tighten the partnership with the US, and in any case, our interests coincide," Ayalon was quoted as saying. "Close allies of the US, such as the UK and other NATO countries, have signed similar agreements," Ayalon was quoted as saying.
The defense establishment is anxious to bring the matter to a close before the August evacuation of the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank.
According to defense sources, Israel will come out of the ordeal with a much-restricted maneuverability regarding arms sales to third parties.
But it will also allow the United States to lift the freeze of Israeli involvement in crucial projects like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The latest crisis with the Pentagon revolves around the radar-hunting Harpy drones that the United States believes Israel is currently upgrading for Beijing. Israel sold China the Harpy, manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries, in 1999. Some were returned to Israel for routine maintenance, but the United States believes they are being upgraded. The US is opposed to China having these advanced weapons because they could be used against American forces or its Taiwan ally in a possible future showdown.
Israel does not expect the United States to compensate Israel for losing its Chinese arms market and any penalties that may need to be paid to Beijing will likely come from the Israeli taxpayer.
Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Ze'ev Livneh, a former military attach in Washington, said the fact that senior Israeli defense officials have been almost blacklisted by the Pentagon was damaging.
"But I don't think the damage is very deep. I believe the strategic links are very deep and fundamental," Livneh told Army Radio. "That said, the relationship existing today is likely to harm the daily operations and perhaps the activities of the defense industries."
Washington has sought clarifications over the matter for months, with senior Pentagon officials singling out Defense Ministry Director General Amos Yaron in particular for misleading them over Israel's arms transfers to China.
According to reported leaks from the Defense Ministry, Yaron is expected to retire following the disengagement so it does not appear to be linked to any American demand. Defense officials have refused to comment on the reports.
"We have to be sensitive to the American's strategic interests. Since they see the Chinese as a future strategic threat and a rising superpower, then we have to understand that," Livneh said. "Particularly when we are receiving some $3 million in US aid annually."
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119838848756
By ARIEH O'SULLIVAN
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is expected to travel to Washington in late July to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Pentagon that effectively gives America veto power over Israeli arms sales to selected countries.
The wording of the memorandum is being hammered out now by a delegation of the Defense Ministry headed by former air force commander Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Herzl Bodinger.
Bodinger arrived in Washington over the weekend together with Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Zvi Shtauber, a former ambassador to Britain and currently head of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies. Zvia Gross, legal adviser to the ministry is also reportedly part of the delegation.
According to Israel's ambassador to Washington, the memorandum would help enhance defense ties.
"Israel's willingness to sign the memorandum is not surrender; it's a great achievement," Ayalon said in an interview with Globes. "Such a memorandum would have prevented regrettable affairs, such as the Phalcon and the Harpy," Ayalon added, in reference to two weapon systems sold to China that the United States blocked.
Ayalon put a positive spin on the memorandum, saying it would allow upgraded technological cooperation with the United States.
"This settlement will tighten the partnership with the US, and in any case, our interests coincide," Ayalon was quoted as saying. "Close allies of the US, such as the UK and other NATO countries, have signed similar agreements," Ayalon was quoted as saying.
The defense establishment is anxious to bring the matter to a close before the August evacuation of the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank.
According to defense sources, Israel will come out of the ordeal with a much-restricted maneuverability regarding arms sales to third parties.
But it will also allow the United States to lift the freeze of Israeli involvement in crucial projects like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The latest crisis with the Pentagon revolves around the radar-hunting Harpy drones that the United States believes Israel is currently upgrading for Beijing. Israel sold China the Harpy, manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries, in 1999. Some were returned to Israel for routine maintenance, but the United States believes they are being upgraded. The US is opposed to China having these advanced weapons because they could be used against American forces or its Taiwan ally in a possible future showdown.
Israel does not expect the United States to compensate Israel for losing its Chinese arms market and any penalties that may need to be paid to Beijing will likely come from the Israeli taxpayer.
Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Ze'ev Livneh, a former military attach in Washington, said the fact that senior Israeli defense officials have been almost blacklisted by the Pentagon was damaging.
"But I don't think the damage is very deep. I believe the strategic links are very deep and fundamental," Livneh told Army Radio. "That said, the relationship existing today is likely to harm the daily operations and perhaps the activities of the defense industries."
Washington has sought clarifications over the matter for months, with senior Pentagon officials singling out Defense Ministry Director General Amos Yaron in particular for misleading them over Israel's arms transfers to China.
According to reported leaks from the Defense Ministry, Yaron is expected to retire following the disengagement so it does not appear to be linked to any American demand. Defense officials have refused to comment on the reports.
"We have to be sensitive to the American's strategic interests. Since they see the Chinese as a future strategic threat and a rising superpower, then we have to understand that," Livneh said. "Particularly when we are receiving some $3 million in US aid annually."
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119838848756