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)
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Source: Voice of America
.