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Israel to continue assistance to China on airborne early-warning system

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Saturday, November 13, 1999

JERUSALEM -- Israel plans to continue with the airborne early-warning project for China in a sale opposed by the United States.

Israeli officials said on Friday that the project does not involve the transfer of U.S. technology to Beijing and that Western companies, including those in the United States, are involved in deals with China that include more advanced technology than that being offered by the Jewish state.

On Thursday, President Bill Clinton acknowledged that Washington has expressed opposition to a $250 million project undertaken by Russia and Israel for the sale to China of the Russian Il-76 cargo jet containing an Israeli Phalcon airborne early-warning system. U.S. officials said they are concerned that China will exercise an option to purchase three more such aircraft.

The New York Times on Thursday said China wanted to buy four to eight more of the AEW systems and place them on the Russian-made Ilyushin aircraft. Russian contractors have modified the Ilyushin to accommodate the large Phalcon system, which is normally installed on Boeing 707 passenger jet.

"We have raised it with them because whenever any of our friends sells sophisticated equipment that might be American in origin ... then we raise that," Clinton said. "Our people had questions, and they had good reason to have questions but sometimes when you hear these things it's not always right. The story is accurate that we have raised the matter. But it is inaccurate to say that we know as an actual fact that such a transfer has occurred."

Clinton said the United States wasn't certain that the radar system was sent to China. Pentagon officials said the sale of AEW systems to China could enhance Beijing's ability to threaten Taiwan.

Israeli officials said on Friday that the Il-76 was delivered to Israel Aircraft Industries in early November and the Phalcon system was being installed. They said the effort would take several months.

Phalcon stands for Phased-Array L-Band Conformal radar, an advanced airborne early warning system that will provide long-range radar surveillance and coordination of forces during battle. The Phalcon has been presented as a cheaper version of the U.S. AWACS systems.

The officials said they were not surprised by Pentagon objection to the AEW sale, saying much of it was fueled by U.S. defense contractors. But they said they did not expect Clinton to play a role in the criticism.

The United States, the officials said, knew of the China deal since it was signed in 1997. But they apparently decided to wait until Russia completed its part of the contract and Israel began installation of the system.

Israeli officials have tried to impose a blackout on the China deal, called the Ring project. Last year, the then-chairman of IAI, Avigdor Ben-Gal, was reprimanded after he discussed the sale with reporters.

Israeli defense sources said that since 1994 Israeli sales of military technology to China have dropped significantly.

Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian visited Israel last month and discussed the offer of an IAI upgrade of China's Mig-21 fighters, the backbone of the Chinese air force.

Saturday, November 13, 1999


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