U.S.
Considering Israeli Request on Weapons Sale to India
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How
the Israeli Arrow Weapons System works
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WASHINGTON,
July 24 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The United States is
considering whether to grant an Israeli request to sell India a
hi-tech missile defense system, against the backdrop of still
aggravated tensions in South Asia, officials said Tuesday, July 23.
Israel
wants to send the Arrow Weapons system to India, a defense against
short and medium range ballistic missiles, but is bound to first seek
U.S. approval as the technology was developed jointly by the two
allies, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
“That’s
a request that we’re reviewing now based on its merits. We look at
it in accordance with U.S. laws, regulations and policy, and our
international commitments, including the Missile Technology Control
Regime,” said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.
“We
have been in contact with the Government of Israel regarding this
request. We have discussed with them some of the issues that arise in
our consideration of the request.”
“I
think we’re all concerned about stability in South Asia. We
emphasize the importance of the Missile Technology Control Regime.”
Boucher
said he was not aware if the issue had been brought up with India.
U.S.
daily newspaper, the Washington Post, reported on Monday, July 22,
that Secretary of State Colin Powell would tell India of its
objections over the proposed purchase from Israel during his visit to
South Asia at the end of the week.
The
Arrows issue has reportedly caused disagreement between Pentagon
supporters of Israel and State Department operatives concerned that
the deployment of the system could further strain relations between
India and its rival Pakistan.
Israel
has also faced pressure in recent months from Washington over its
proposed sale of the Phalcon battle management system to India, which
is mounted on an early warning aircraft.
U.S.
officials said in February that they weren’t against the sale in
principle, but were talking with the Israelis about questions of
timing.
State
Department officials, anxious to prevent India and Pakistan from
slipping into war, fear that the sale of the Arrow Weapon System could
exacerbate friction between the two countries and provide other
nations with a justification to peddle missile technology, the
Washington Post reported Tuesday.
“We
have concerns about the introduction of more missiles into this
area,” a senior department official said. “It could be
destabilizing.”
Backers
of the proposed Israeli sale, including supporters in the Pentagon,
cite U.S. allegiance to Israel and President Bush’s pledge to enlist
U.S. allies in missile defense development.
These
proponents argue that defense cooperation with India could improve
U.S.-India ties. They say it could also reward the Indian government
for its retreat from confrontation with Pakistan over the disputed
territory of Kashmir.
Meanwhile,
India has requested information about the American-made Patriot
antimissile weapon, manufactured by Raytheon Co. A company executive
said Raytheon will brief Indian officials about the Patriot's
capabilities as early as next month, the Post reported.
“Were
India to proceed with an investment in missile defense, one thing is
certain: Pakistan will respond in some fashion, either by increasing
its offensive capability to counter such a defensive shield or by
pursuing its own form of missile defense wherever they could obtain
it,” said Karl F. Inderfurth, who had been an assistant secretary of
state in the Clinton administration.
“That
is an iron law of the action-reaction cycle in South Asia.”
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