Disturbed by the growing Indo-Israeli military collaboration and a possible sale of Phalcon spy plane to New Delhi, Pakistan has conveyed a stern message to the Jewish state asking not to get involved in South Asian issues.
Senior Pakistani officials have recently conveyed this message to a high-ranking Israeli official in Paris, the Hebrew daily Maariv reported. "Don't become involved in our region so that we are not dragged into doing something similar in your region," the newspaper said.
Israeli defense sources said security cooperation between New Delhi and Tel Aviv was not targeted at any country. Military cooperation between New Delhi and Tel Aviv has also raised concern in the Arab world and Iran.
During a recent international gathering on missiles in Paris, a Pakistani official expressed similar concern about possible Israeli sale of Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control Systems system and Arrow anti-ballistic missile defense systems to India. "We are deeply concerned that there are sales of anti-ballistic missile defence systems and advanced airborne early warning abilities which ignore the need of stability in our region", he said.
Israel wants to sell three Phalcons to Indian Air Force and the two parties have been negotiating the estimated $1 billion deal for quite some time now. The radar systems of the Phalcons will extend the Indian Air Force's range of operation and will give India control and monitoring capabilities from the sky. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
