Don't return drones to China, U.S. tells Israel

[Fredo]

the original article from Haaretz

-------------------------------------------------------

The contretemps with the United States over the sale of Israeli-made Harpy assault drones to China is threatening to turn into a crisis with China as well.


Washington is demanding that Israel not send back to China some of the drones sent here for upgrading. The drones are already Chinese property.

The Israelis who heard the demand were astonished, considering there is no American technology in the drones. However, American sources say Israel will have no choice but to comply with the U.S. demand. The powerful pro-Taiwan lobby is warning that advanced Israeli weapons technologies could be used against U.S. soldiers defending the island state off the coast of China.

The crisis in U.S.-Israeli defense relations arose when the Pentagon's number three, Undersecretary of State for Policy Douglas Feith, learned that Israel had sold advanced-technology Harpy assault drones to China in the mid-1990s and was upgrading the unmanned airborne vehicles for the Chinese.

Feith, a strong supporter of Israel, was furious and backed by his superior, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, another ardent Israel supporter in the administration. Feith reportedly demanded the resignation of Amos Yaron, the Defense Ministry director general, on the grounds that Yaron had not provided a full accounting of the Israeli deal with China.

The Harpy case is not the first crisis that has arisen between the U.S. and Israel over sales to China. In a similar case, Israel went ahead with a plan to sell a flying radar plane known as the Phalcon to China, but the U.S. vetoed the sale.

[Tiger]

Second loss of face for the Chinese.They're gonna be soooooo pissed if their property isn't returned.They had planned alot for Israel in return for the previous phalcon deal.

China gonna be pissed!!!!!!

[Hisardut]

China gonna be pissed!!!!!!

Ooooo, what are they gonna do? attack us with replicant T-55's?

[tandem]

the americans are being really stupid and paranoid about this. if israel won't sell/upgrade the drones, china will go elsewhere. they're not gonna wait around for israel to f--k up another deal. they'll go to the russians or even the europeans who would sell them similar weapons. so what kind of security for taiwan have the americans achieved? absolutely nothing. if israel won't deliver on the deal it would put serious doubts on israel's credibility and not just with china. every country who will want to buy arms from israel will think twice. the US administration also tried to persuade EU states like france and germany not to renew arms sales to china but they probably won't get their way.

[takeo]

the americans are being really stupid and paranoid about this. if israel won't sell/upgrade the drones, china will go elsewhere. they're not gonna wait around for israel to f--k up another deal. they'll go to the russians or even the europeans who would sell them similar weapons. so what kind of security for taiwan have the americans achieved? absolutely nothing. if israel won't deliver on the deal it would put serious doubts on israel's credibility and not just with china. every country who will want to buy arms from israel will think twice. the US administration also tried to persuade EU states like france and germany not to renew arms sales to china but they probably won't get their way.

exactly

this could also be interesting:

Cuba and Fidel Castro have been dancing with the Chinese for sometime. The wily Cuban dictator needs a replacement for the Soviet Union who shored up Cuba's economy and military until it went broke and dismantled. Military aid and trade has begun between the two nations and the Chinese have shown particular interest in Cuba as a listening post to spy on U.S. military and commercial communications.

The Chinese already operate listening posts near Santiago, in the eastern end of Cuba and near Havana. It is believed that the Havana facility monitors U.S. telephone and wireless communications.

Now there's a new and disturbing development in the China-Cuba saga.

According to Dr. Manuel Cereijo, the Chinese have shown willingness to take over the Soviet Lourdes spy base. In fact, as soon as the final Russian maintenance team departs, the Chinese will have the option to take over the buildings.

Cereijo has written extensively on the issue. He lectures, he posts his thoughts on the Internet, and he often appears on Miami television programs. The former Florida International University engineering professor is frustrated by the inattention paid to the influence that the Chinese are gaining in Cuba and the Caribbean.

So, the Chinese quietly continue to move in our region. They could wind up with a massive "turn key" listening station. It is a story that gets little notice in mainstream American media. I am sure the Chinese want to keep it that way and most Americans could care less, for now.

China and Venezuela to triplicate
trade in 2005

CARACAS (DPA).—President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela confirmed on his return from China that the agreements reached in his visit to that Asian country will led to a threefold trade increase in 2005.

In a message transmitted on radio and television channels at midnight on December 26, shortly after his arrival in the country, the leader stated that there were great results from his trip to China as trade exchanges of worth almost $3 billion had been established, according to official estimates.

“In 2003 trade stood at $150 million and in 2004 we took it to $1.05 billion,” he noted, thus highlighting the increasing links between Venezuela and China in recent years.

Chávez added that “Venezuela has become the first destination of Chinese investment in the whole American continent.”

He announced that a guarantee fund is to be set up to support and give more strength to these trade relations and offered governmental support for all Venezuelan entrepreneurs who wish to invest in China’s economic projects with that nation.

In his visit to that Asian Republic (December 23-25) Chávez and his counterpart Hu Jintao signed eight trade agreements, including accords for opening a joint oilfield, the construction of a railroad and a “model” farm in Venezuela, as well as cooperation in mining and the energy sector.

In his address, the president also referred to the visits made throughout 2004 to various American, African, European and Asian countries, which have led to “Venezuela being reinstated in the world after the great changes of 2002 and 2003,” when the country experienced a crisis of political governability and social conflict.

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2004/dic...1chiven-i.html

• Fidel and Hu Jintao attend the signing of 16 cooperation
agreements • Chinese president received on his arrival by General
of the Army Raúl Castro


FOUR of the 16 documents signed between Cuba and China in the framework of the visit by President Hu Jintao are linked to nickel, a mineral of which the island possesses one of the principal world reserves.


Another significant point is a 10-year postponement of financial obligations on Chinese credits conceded to Cuba from 1990 to 1994
The signing of military cooperation documents closed the first session of the official visit to Cuba by Hu Jintao, president of China, at the invitation of President Fidel Castro..

Looks like the PRC is challenging the us in its own backyard... Europe and Israel are all too eager to take part in the giant Chinese booming economy, and military relations are part of the deal, little the us will be able to do to stop this.

[golani]

the americans are being really stupid and paranoid about this. if israel won't sell/upgrade the drones, china will go elsewhere. they're not gonna wait around for israel to f--k up another deal. they'll go to the russians or even the europeans who would sell them similar weapons. so what kind of security for taiwan have the americans achieved? absolutely nothing. if israel won't deliver on the deal it would put serious doubts on israel's credibility and not just with china. every country who will want to buy arms from israel will think twice. the US administration also tried to persuade EU states like france and germany not to renew arms sales to china but they probably won't get their way.

US should have a consistent policy toward Israel
I do understand american concerns about high tech weaponry sales to a soon to be "geostrategic and economy rival and partner "
However ,if Israel is not allowed to sustain her domestic high tech industry thru high value export sales ,US should compensate by extending defence and economy guarantees to Israel
That means loss of sovereignty and Israel being admitted as 51 st US state or a lesser status of commonwealth of United states as Puerto Rico or other us territories in the South Pacific...

[MGB8]

The US is being hypocritical also. Israel should most certainly be allowed, with ZERO protest, to return the drones without upgrade to China.

meanwhile, the US sells TONS of weapons to Egypt, Jordan, etc.

Um....excuse me. If its ok to sell these nations these weapons because there is a peace treaty....well, the US and China are at peace, also....

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is NOT at peace with Israel, and also gets tons of US weapons. Granted, some is necessary, but considering that they get the full shelter of the US military umbrella....

SA doesn't recognize Israel's existance or right to exist. Israel does recognize SA. But they have oil.

[PunkMaister]

US should have a consistent policy toward Israel
I do understand american concerns about high tech weaponry sales to a soon to be "geostrategic and economy rival and partner "
However ,if Israel is not allowed to sustain her domestic high tech industry thru high value export sales ,US should compensate by extending defence and economy guarantees to Israel
That means loss of sovereignty and Israel being admitted as 51 st US state or a lesser status of commonwealth of United states as Puerto Rico or other us territories in the South Pacific...

Wow! Interesting concept!!!
Not that is ever gonna happen. Although it would be cool to be able to travel to the holy land without the necesity of passports or a visa and at best just a birth certificate!