ISRAELI MOD DG TOREN FORCEFULLY OBJECTS TO U.S.

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000683

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/IPA (MAHER),PM/RSAT (ROBINSON)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2016
TAGS: PREL MASS MARR RS IS IN MILITARY RELATIONS ISRAEL RELATIONS
SUBJECT: ISRAELI MOD DG TOREN FORCEFULLY OBJECTS TO U.S.
POSITION ON ELTA RADARS ON RUSSIAN MIGS DESTINED FOR INDIA

REF: A. STATE 04560

B. STATE 19516

Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones. Reasons: 1.4 (b, d).


1. (S) Responding to ref A points, MOD DG Jacob Toren told
the Ambassador on February 8 that:

-- He cannot agree with the U.S. position and urges the U.S.
to re-examine its objections. Agreeing to the U.S. position
on the ELTA radar transfer to Russia sets another precedent
that Israel cannot accept. Toren stressed, "We accept your
concerns about China. I personally review any export
destined for China. We cannot, however, make the entire
world our enemy. Russia is a friend of Israel. We must be
able to continue to work with Russian platforms. Russia is
not the enemy, and India is a strategic ally." (NOTE: Toren
was very forceful in presenting this point. END NOTE.)

-- If USG objections are of a technical nature, Toren
requests that we put technical teams together as soon as
possible to find a solution that allows the ELTA radar deal
to go forward, and meets U.S. security concerns. (COMMENT:
If the USG decides to send a technical team, it needs to be
prepared to educate the Israelis on U.S. technical objections
and make a solid case for continued U.S. opposition to the
proposal, if the USG maintains opposition to it. END
COMMENT.)

-- If Israel is forced to accept the U.S. position and not
even supply the unclassified version of its ELTA radars to
Russia, Russia will go elsewhere. India will then question
Israel's commitment to it as a strategic ally.

-- There is a lingering sense that Israel is being singled
out, or that the U.S. is applying a double standard. France
and other U.S. allies are selling sensitive equipment to
Iran, and Israel does not see them being presented with U.S.
objections. Israel knows that Russia is selling SA-15s and
MANPADs to Syria, but Israel also sees the U.S. selling
sensitive military systems to Saudi Arabia.

-- Israel does not believe that its proposal jeopardizes U.S.
interests.

-- Israel hopes U.S. objections are not based on commercial
competition. Toren noted that the Indians are going to issue
an RFP for F-16s and F-18s this year. The Israeli government
told the Indian government it would be pleased to work with
any U.S. aircraft manufacturer(s) the Indians designate.
Israeli officials also relayed this to Boeing and Lockheed
Martin representatives. Israel defense contractors are
currently obtaining all the necessary licenses from the
Israeli Government so that they can work with whichever of
the two U.S. defense contractors wins India's bid for fighter
aircraft.


2. (S) Toren asked the Ambassador for assistance in
expediting USG decisions on Israeli contracts for
security-related projects connected to the Olympic games in
China. He noted that Israel has been waiting three months
for USG decisions on some of the contracts. Toren said he
also looked forward to the USG lifting the ban on exporting
night vision goggles to Israel -- as was agreed at the JPMG
-- stressing that they are "badly needed" in Israel.


3. (S) In delivering the points and responding to Toren's
concerns, the Ambassador stressed that:

-- Even if the U.S. agrees with Israel that India is a key to
stability in South Asia, the USG is still concerned that the
Russians will gain access to technology that they currently
do not possess even from the unclassified version of the
radar that Israel wants to integrate into the MiG-29s
destined for India.

-- Washington is concerned that the Russians will incorporate
the technology into their own products destined for China and
Iran.

-- In reference to Toren's comment on India's bid for
fighters, the USG position on the ELTA radar deal is not
based on commercial reasons.

-- He will relay Toren's desire that U.S. and Israeli
technical teams meet to discuss USG objections to the deal,
and consider if a mutually satisfactory resolution can be
found.


4. (S) The Ambassador promised to relay Toren's position to
Washington, and to check on the situation concerning the
Israeli projects connected with the Olympic games in China,
and the lifting of the ban on night-vision goggles.


5. (U) The Ambassador also delivered to Toren ref B points on
the IAEA's decision to report Iran to the UNSC, and the
President and Secretary Rice's statements on the decision.

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