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Journalism of Courage
Dubai, April 4: The US has opposed the Isreali move to provide China with a sophisticated early warning aircraft, AWACs, saying the deal could alter the strategic balance in Asian region.
“United States does not support the sale of this kind of technology to China because of the potential of changing the strategic balance in that region," visiting US Defence Secretary William Cohen told a press conference in Tel Aviv yesterday after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
The issue would be discussed again in the future, Cohen said, according to Ha’aretz newspaper.
"We are aware of American sensitivity on relations with China. We are also aware of our commitments to contracts which we sign. Similarly we believe in the need to coordinate and be in close touch with the United States on all matters which may threaten US interests … traditionally our closest ally," Barak told reporters after meeting Cohen.
The deal signed with China in 1997 includes an option for building three additional aircraft.
