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)
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Source: Voice of America
.