Press Secretary Fitzwater on Military Cooperation
With Israel
(September 26, 1992)
In accordance with the United States ongoing commitment
to the preservation and maintenance of Israel's qualitative military
edge, President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Rabin have reached agreement
on certain measures that will be initiated by the United States in the
very near future. These measures include the supply of Apache and Blackhawk
helicopters and the pre-positioning of advanced defense equipment in
Israel. They will be implemented pursuant to previously enacted legislation
which authorized the transfer to Israel and pre-positioning in Israel
of defense articles drawn from U.S. stocks. It was further agreed that
there will be closer ties between the two countries' armed forces, cooperation
on technology upgrades, and the start of discussions on Israel's participation
in the Global Protection System.
These initiatives represent a significant effort in
reaffirming the United States longstanding commitment to a strategic
partnership with Israel and will effectively maintain Israel's qualitative
edge. The United States and Israel intend to continue consultations
for the purpose of determining additional measures necessary to maintain
Israel's qualitative military edge.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |