Israeli Defense Minister Ezer Weizman is to meet with Defense Secretary Harold Brown at the Pentagon April 29, reportedly to discuss U.S. use of Israeli military facilities in defense of American interests in the Middle East. Announcement of Weizman’s visit followed Israeli Premier Menachem Begin’s comments yesterday in an interview on ABC-TV’s “Issues and Answers” that the U.S. should station ground forces in the Middle East and in every region where there is a possibility of Soviet expansion.
In the interview, which was conducted last Thursday before Begin left Washington, the Premier was asked if the U.S. could station troops in Israel. “Well I said always to our American friends, we are allies, and if you warn facilities in our country, we shall put them at your disposal, “Begin replied. “I would recommend it to the government. I can only speak on my own behalf.”
Weizman is also expected to discuss arms purchases with the U.S. including the Israeli request for co-production of the U.S. F-18 jet warplane. Before coming to Washington, Weizman is due to go to Minneapolis for an award by the Jewish National Fund.
Meanwhile, Labor Party chairman Shimon Peres, who is scheduled to meet at the White House with President Carter Thursday morning, is now also due to see Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. No time has been set as yet.
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