U.S. warns Israel against future arms sales to China

Ha'aretz Daily ^

[RCW2001]

U.S. warns Israel against future arms sales to China

By Aluf Benn

The United States has warned Israel against selling arms to China, saying that such deals could come up against American opposition, especially if the weapons sold are capable of inhibiting U.S. military actions in the region.

The Americans are worried by any possible escalation between China and Taiwan.

Israel and China signed an agreement three months ago settling a dispute over the U.S.-scotched sale of a Phalcon early warning system slated for installation on a Chinese air force Ilyushin plane. The United States opposed the deal, because the system could have endangered American planes in the area by giving the Chinese advanced over-the-horizon radar-detection capabilities.

China's Deputy Foreign Minister Yang Wenchang visited Jerusalem Wednesday, meeting with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Melchior. Yang said his visit opened new opportunities for cooperation in agriculture and high-tech, but the real purpose of his trip was to lay the groundwork for the arrival of Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan.

Sources in Jerusalem say the financial compensation for the Phalcon imbroglio appears to have cleared the air with Beijing. However, there remains concern that Chinese President Jiang Zemin feels he was personally insulted, since during a visit to Israel in April 2000, he was led to believe the deal would go through. The sources said Israel will have to find some way to appease Jiang.

[rmlew]

1. Good. Israel should not sell weapons to the Chicoms.
2. Likewise, the US should stop giving or selling weapons top the Egyptians, Saudis, Omanis, etc.

[Northpaw]

And the consequences of not heeding this warning are what? $50,000 less on the next $6 billion welfare check?

[Nachum]

Israel to Pay China 300 Million Over Canceled Falcon Deal
(IsraelNN.com) An agreement has been reached with China by which Jerusalem will pay $300 million in damages for backing out of the deal to supply Beijing with the Phalcon advanced airborne early warning system.

The deal was signed by the Director-General of the Defense Ministry-Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amos Yaron, making the deal official.

The Phalcon system deal originated in 2000, but Israel backed out at the last minutes under intense US pressure. The White House opposed the sale feeling the system could pose a threat to US interests and being a threat to Taiwan.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=20089

Mar-14-02

[Gillmeister]

Did'nt Clinton warn about selling/giving arms to China? Uh, opps......my bad.

[max61]

Really. I guess the Isreali's are cutting into our market.

---max

[LarryLied]

Maybe now we'll say something about Israeli military sale to Mugabe.

[JSteff]

U.S. warns Israel against future arms sales to China

Translation: Okay we need you to play along, pretend your backing out of the deal. Then go ahead and sell them the units secretly (wink, wink) with special chips that we gave you that disable the systems when we broadcast a code. Oh, and the 500 million was deposited in the regular account. Thanks again guys. /end translation

[PoppingSmoke]

"The United States has warned Israel against selling arms to China, saying that such deals could come up against American opposition, especially if the weapons sold are capable of inhibiting U.S. military actions in the region."

This is code for. How dare the Israeli's sell the Chiness weapons not made by US Defense Contractors!

[DreamWeaver]

1. Good. Israel should not sell weapons to the Chicoms. 2. Likewise, the US should stop giving or selling weapons top the Egyptians, Saudis, Omanis, etc.

Sorry but it doesn't work that way. The one that has the responsibilty ( which we do financially) is the one that has the say/power. Just as within our family with our children. AS long as we are responsable and supporting them, WE have the final say/power.

[xvb]

As long as we cavort with the scummy Saudis, Egyptians and Syrians I see no problem with Israel selling arms to China.

[xvb]

I don't notice Israel exactly jumping to the American tune. Israel must do what is best for Israel.

[LarryLied]

Shows which country you are concerned about.

[xvb]

I am an American so I care about America. Israelis have to care and worry about Israel. That point too deep for you to grasp??

[LarryLied]

You said that because America does something, Israel has the right to do something.

That is not putting American interests first.

[xvb]

You don't have strong comprehension skills, do you?

[Jorge]

"I don't notice Israel exactly jumping to the American tune. Israel must do what is best for Israel."

And it definitely isn't best for Israel to do anything to jeopardize the $$$billions in aid it gets from the U.S., especially since U.S. assistance is what has made Israel such a formidable military force in the middle east.

[latourette]

The Israeli-Chinese relationship is one of the most interesting and growing relationships in the world today. It's not just about arms sales but about a long-term, comprehensive relationship and vision in a number of fields.

[kennyo]

Well,well.And I just read tonight,here on Freerepublic:

China Backs Establishment of Palestinian State http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/704005/posts We should let the Chinese and Israelis work out their own problems,just as we should let the Israelis work out their own problems with the Arabs.