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Israel agrees with U.S. on Saudi arms
Olmert says a threat from Iran justifies upgrading the Saudi military.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published July 30, 2007
JERUSALEM - In a break from Israeli opposition to U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday his country understands Washington's plan to supply state-of-the-art weapons to Riyadh as a counterweight to Iranian influence. The United States, knowing that Israel is sensitive about such arms sales, is also offering a sharp increase in defense aid to Israel and has assured the Jewish state it will retain a fighting edge over other countries in the region, he added. "We understand the need of the United States to support the Arab moderate states and there is a need for a united front between the U.S. and us regarding Iran," Olmert told a weekly Cabinet meeting. The rare agreement reflects shared U.S. and Israeli concern over the potential threat of a nuclear-armed Iran. The proposed arms deal would include advanced weaponry and air systems that would greatly enhance the striking ability of Saudi warplanes, alarming the Israeli right. One leading hard-liner warned that Saudi Arabia, although not belligerent now, could be taken over by extremists. The proposed package comes with a serious sweetener for Israel: a 25 percent rise in U.S. military aid, from an annual $2.4-billion at present to $3-billion a year, guaranteed for 10 years, Olmert and U.S. officials said. The United States has long-standing commitments to Israel and to Egypt. At the same time, it is seeking to strengthen other moderate Mideast allies, largely as a counterweight to Iran's growing influence. The United States and Israel accuse Iran of developing nuclear bombs, a claim Tehran denies. Iran, whose leader has repeatedly called for Israel to be to wiped off the map, is viewed by Israel as its main enemy. Shiite Muslim Iran also worries the Saudis and other Sunni-led Arab allies of the United States.
[Last modified July 30, 2007, 00:59:28]
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