Premier Shimon Peres expressed concern, but not alarm Tuesday over reports that Syria will soon receive the most advanced models of the long-range SA-23 ground-to-ground missiles and the latest MIG-29 combat aircraft from the Soviet Union.
“Naturally, every type of weapon poses a technical problem to which I believe a solution will be found,” Peres told reporters. But, he noted, “apart from the (weapons) system itself, the question is one of
He added, “We, of course, have no interest in adopting a belligerent or aggressive policy. Israel is making every effort to reduce the tension (with Syria) and I hope we succeed.”
Peres observed, however, that “new and advanced weaponry is always coming into the region and every type of weapon is analyzed by the Israel Defense Force and we try to find counter-measures.”
With respect to the proposed American sale of 2,600 missiles of all types to Saudi Arabia, Peres said Israel had made it clear to the Reagan Administration that it is opposed to arms sales to
“American Jewry does not receive orders from Israel and Israel gives neither orders nor briefings,” Peres said. “It would be a gross mistake to create the false impression that the State of Israel supposedly issues orders to American
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