The Reagan Administration’s decision to allow Israel to buy American components needed for its new fighter plane, the Lavie, was due to Israel’s request that the parts were “urgently” necessary now “to avoid disruption of the project,” the State Department maintained today.
“We wanted to be as forthcoming as possible in view of the long-term U.S. commitment to Israel’s security,” Department deputy spokesman Alan Romberg said. Israel’s Defense Minister, Moshe Arens, announced the decision yesterday, calling it “good news” and perhaps “an indication of an improvement in relationships” between the U.S. Israel.
Arens also said he hoped the announcement might also be an indication that the U.S. will lift the “embargo” on the 75 F-16 jet fighter-bombers President Reagan said would not be sent to Israel until Israel withdraws its forces from Lebanon. While refusing to discuss the F-16s, Romberg tried to separate the two issues today.
“The decision on the Lavie is based on broaden concerns than the immediate situation in Lebanon,” Romberg explained. “Our cooperation on military systems is an important aspect of our long-term bilateral relationship and the decision on the Lavie should be taken from that perspective.”
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