At the request by senators and congressmen, increasingly sensitive to growing public opinion in the United States on the need to curb the spread of light weapons, Israel agreed to a three-month moratorium on the export of such arms. This decision was contained in a letter from Ambassador Ben-Elissar to Senator Dianne Feinstein. Text:
Israel, today, 29.10.97, following requests by Senators and Representatives from the United States Congress, declared a three month moratorium on the export of light arms to the public sector in the United States. Israel emphasizes that it acts according to the law in every aspect regarding the export of weapons to the United States. Israel decided on this step for humanitarian reasons and in light of the special sensitivity of the issue in the U.S.
Following is the text of a letter from Israels Ambassador to the United States Eliyahu Ben-Elissar to Senator Dianne Feinstein (D) California:
October 28, 1997
Further to the previous exchange on the sale of Uzi and Galil rifles to the American market, I wish to convey to you that the Government of Israel is aware of your concerns on this issue and is sensitive to them. We are prepared to work with you to resolve the matter.
We assume that you would not advocate anything that would unfairly single out Israel. You have our assurances that Israel has not done nor will Israel do anything which in any matter violates U.S. law. Furthermore, in light of the misperception generated through the media coverage of this matter, we wish to stress that no Israeli rifles have been sold in the United States since the relevant legislation was passed in 1994.
I wish to assure you that no sales will take place for a period of three months. If during that time the other parties decide to suspend their sales or such restraint is imposedeither through U.S. legislation or an executive directive, the Israeli exporter will act accordingly.