Israel tries to stop U.S.-Jordan arms deal
By Ramit Plushnick-Masti, Associated Press Writer | August 1, 2004
JERUSALEM --Israel is trying to prevent an arms deal that would put high-tech U.S.-made air-to-air missiles on Jordanian aircraft, Israeli government and security officials said Sunday.
Israel has asked Congress to delay approval of the deal, which is already in advanced stages, while Jewish-American lobbyists and Israeli officials press their case with the Bush administration, an Israeli government official said on condition of anonymity.
A security official, who declined to be named, said Israel would settle for a compromise that would make it technologically impossible to aim AMRAAM missiles at Israel or a pledge that the weapons would not be sold to Egypt.
This is the first time Israel has tried to prevent Jordan from buying U.S.-manufactured arms since the two countries signed a peace treaty in 1996.
A Jordanian official said Israel should be unconcerned about the purchase since the two countries are at peace. Neither was there a need for technology ensuring the weapon cannot be used against Israeli aircraft.
"Jordan is doing what is required for its interests and for its security," said the official on condition of anonymity.
Posted by P6 at August 1, 2004 11:31 AM
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