US MediationIsrael and Palestine
The US would like to believe it is fair and balanced and a fair broker for the conflict. Most of the rest of the world, and especially the Arab street, see things otherwise. Why? What do do we say and do to promote that view? Do we even recognise that we do it?
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Israeli Defense Chief Cancels U.S. Trip due to new U.S. demands to oversee Israeli weapons exports to China
Excite News: "Israeli Defense Chief Cancels U.S. Trip | Jul 28, 8:29 AM (ET)
JERUSALEM (AP) - Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has canceled a trip to Washington due to new U.S. demands to oversee Israeli weapons exports, part of a growing crisis over Israeli arms sales to China, an Israeli defense official said.
Mofaz was supposed to head to Washington last week, and the Defense Ministry initially said the cancellation was due to a wave of violence in the Gaza Strip.
However, a defense ministry official said Wednesday that Mofaz called off the trip, which was aimed at finalizing an agreement on Israeli weapons exports, because of new U.S. demands. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
The United States imposed military sanctions on its Mideast ally several months ago after the Pentagon became angry at an Israeli plan to sell China spare parts for unmanned Harpy aircraft. Mofaz was to reach a deal with Pentagon officials that would remove those sanctions.
Excite News: "Israeli Defense Chief Cancels U.S. Trip | Jul 28, 8:29 AM (ET)
JERUSALEM (AP) - Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has canceled a trip to Washington due to new U.S. demands to oversee Israeli weapons exports, part of a growing crisis over Israeli arms sales to China, an Israeli defense official said.
Mofaz was supposed to head to Washington last week, and the Defense Ministry initially said the cancellation was due to a wave of violence in the Gaza Strip.
However, a defense ministry official said Wednesday that Mofaz called off the trip, which was aimed at finalizing an agreement on Israeli weapons exports, because of new U.S. demands. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
The United States imposed military sanctions on its Mideast ally several months ago after the Pentagon became angry at an Israeli plan to sell China spare parts for unmanned Harpy aircraft. Mofaz was to reach a deal with Pentagon officials that would remove those sanctions.
