Talks between France and Israel to settle the fate of 50 Mirage jets bought by Israel but embargoed since the Six-Day War will be resumed here this week after a ten day lapse. Informed sources said the talks would be long and difficult and that extensive negotiations will be required to bring the two sides together.
The chief issue is whether Israel will accept reimbursement for the aircraft, the amount of reimbursement, Israel’s demand for interest on the capital tied up on the planes for the past four years and France’s counter demand for payment for storage and maintenance of the aircraft. The talks are also linked to efforts on both sides to improve Franco-Israeli relations which deteriorated seriously after the Six-Day War.
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency learned that the talks were adjourned ten days ago to enable the participants to report to their respective governments. The talks are being held at the French Foreign Ministry between Israeli Ambassador Asher Ben Natan and Ambassador Herve Alphand, secretary general of the Ministry. Israel is also represented by Col. Paul Kedar of the Defense Ministry. The French participants include representatives of the Foreign, Defense and Finance Ministries.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
