Political sources in Jerusalem expressed surprise today at the publication in the American press of the secret agreement between Israel and the U.S. regarding American arms sales to Israel.
The sources indicated that it was the U.S. that insisted that details of this agreement be kept secret. They interpreted these publications as an effort by some circles in the Pentagon and the State Department to jeopardize large-scale arms supply to Israel. The sources noted that these publications were made on the eve of Defense Minister Shimon Peres’ visit to Washington with a detailed arms shopping list.
Premier Yitzhak Rabin, who was asked to react to the leaks, declined to say more than that the Israeli government itself was not immune to leaks and, therefore, should not advise other governments on the same issue.
Both mass circulation evening newspapers, Yediot Achronot and Maariv expressed their concern tonight over these leaks and demanded that Israel counter the leaks by a massive information campaign.
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