[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SALE OF ISRAELI ARROW WEAPON SYSTEM TO INDIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2002

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise on the House floor this evening to 
discuss the sale of the Israeli Arrow Weapon System to India.
  According to several reports, Mr. Speaker, there is support within 
the Pentagon and support from Israel to make the sale of the Arrow 
Weapon System a reality. However, Secretary Powell and the State 
Department are preparing to express objection to India's purchase of 
this missile defense system from Israel, due to the current military 
standoff between India and Pakistan.
  I sent a letter today to Secretary Powell, requesting that the 
Secretary not delay or oppose India's purchase of this missile defense 
system from Israel.
  I strongly believe that the State Department's support for the Arrow 
Weapon System sale to India would further solidify the new defense 
relationship between the United States and India. For the past several 
months, the U.S. and India have participated in numerous joint military 
exercises which have fostered a strong defense relationship between the 
two countries, which share democratic interests and have been working 
together well against global terrorism.
  In addition, the Arrow Weapon System was created to defend against 
short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. Therefore, Mr. 
Speaker, India's interest in the Arrow Weapon System is to improve 
missile defense, not offense, which is a key factor regarding this sale 
that needs to be considered.
  There have also been reports that indicate that India is preparing to 
buy parts from the United States for military equipment such as 
helicopters, jets and radar systems. The sale of this equipment was 
initially delayed due to sanctions imposed on India in May 1998. Those 
sanctions have been lifted for nearly one year and I requested that the 
sale of this equipment not be delayed as well due to the current 
situation between India and Pakistan.
  Mr. Speaker, I am hoping that during Secretary Powell's trip to India 
this week, he will voice approval of this Israeli sale to India. This 
is a positive step for U.S.-India relations and because of the 
defensive nature of this defense system, the U.S. should not delay this 
sale due to the conflict between India and Pakistan.

                                                    July 23, 2002.
     Hon. Colin Powell,
     Secretary, U.S. Department of State,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Secretary: I am writing today to urge you not to 
     delay the sale of the Israeli Arrow Weapon System to India.
       According to several reports, there is support within the 
     Pentagon and support from Israel to make this sale a reality. 
     However, I understand that during your upcoming trip to 
     India, you are preparing to express your objection to India's 
     purchase of this missile defense system from Israel, due to 
     the current military standoff between India and Pakistan.
       I strongly believe that the State Department's support for 
     the Arrow Weapon System sale to India would further solidify 
     the new defense relationship between the United States and 
     India. For the past several months, the US and India have 
     participated in numerous joint military exercises which have 
     fostered a strong defense relationship between the two 
     countries, which share democratic interests and have been 
     working together well against global terrorism.
       In addition, the Arrow Weapon System was created to defend 
     against short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. 
     Therefore, India's interest in the Arrow Weapon System is to 
     improve missile defense, not offense, which is a key factor 
     regarding this sale that needs to be considered.
       There have also been reports that indicate that India is 
     preparing to buy parts from the United States for military 
     equipment such as helicopters, jets and radar systems. The 
     sale of this equipment was initially delayed due to sanctions 
     imposed on India in May 1998. Those sanctions have been 
     lifted for nearly one year and I request that the sale of 
     this equipment not be delayed due to the current situation 
     between India and Pakistan.
       I am hoping that during your trip this week, you will voice 
     approval of this Israeli sale to India and I thank you for 
     taking my views into consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                                Frank Pallone, Jr.

     

                          ____________________