Israelis Request Phantoms, U.S. Wants Conditions
(November 27, 1968)
This is one of many documents related
to the Israeli request for Phantom jets. It reveals what would become a U.S. focus throughout
negotiations on the Israeli nuclear weapon program.
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
This will acknowledge and respond to your letter of
22 November 1968, requesting on behalf of the Government of Israel that
the United States sell to the Government of Israel fifty Phantom aircraft
and related equipment and training. The Government of the United States
agrees to sell to the Government of Israel fifty F-4 Phantom aircraft
and related equipment and services in accordance with this exchange
of letters and technical and financial annexes to be negotiated separately.
This transaction is subject to the provisions of the Foreign Military
Sales Act and the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement of July 23, 1952.
The United States Government, for its part, accepts
the assurances given by the Government of Israel as stated in your letter:
"On its part the Government of Israel reaffirms its
longstanding policy as laid down in the Memorandum of Understanding
of May 10, 1965, that it will not be the first power in the Middle East
to introduce nuclear weapons and agrees not to use any aircraft supplied
by the United States as a nuclear weapons carrier."
In this connection, I have made clear the position
of the United States Government that the physical possession and control
of nuclear arms by a Middle Eastern power would be deemed to constitute
the introduction of nuclear weapons.
I wish also to confirm the understanding
of the Government of Israel as set forth in the fifth
paragraph of your letter of 22 November 1968.1 Such unusual and compelling circumstances would exist
in the event of action inconsistent with your policy
and agreement as set forth in your letter.
1The fifth
paragraph of Rabin's letter stated that Israel understood
that the United States reserved the right, under unusual
and compelling circumstances, to cancel all or part
of its commitment to provide F-4 aircraft and related
equipment and services at any time prior to delivery.
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1964-1968, V. 20, Arab-Israeli Dispute
1967-1968. DC: GPO,
2001. |