Memorandum of Agreement on Security Cooperation
(April 21, 1988)
After much discussion, Israel and the U.S. simultaneously signed in Jerusalem
and Washington the following memorandum regarding joint political,
security and economic cooperation. Israel was highly pleased to be
considered as "a major non-NATO ally of the United States."
The agreement established a comprehensive framework for continued
consultation and cooperation and appointed a number of officials to
meet regularly for joint discussions of current issues. The agreement
was one of the most comprehensive ever signed between the two
countries and marked a major turning point in their relations.
Preamble
The parties to this
Memorandum of Agreement reaffirm the close relationship between Israel
and the United States of America, based upon common goals, interests,
and values; welcome the achievements made in strategic, economic,
industrial and technological cooperation; recognize the mutual
benefits of the Israel-United States Free Trade Agreement; take note
of United States economic and security assistance to Israel; and note
that Israel is currently designated, for the purposes of Section 1105
of the 1987 National Defense Authorization Act, as a major non-NATO
ally of the United States. The parties wish to enhance their
relationship through the establishment of a comprehensive framework
for continued consultation and cooperation and have reached the
following agreements in order to achieve this aim.
Article I
Israel and the United States
recognize the value of their unique dialogue and agree to continue
frequent consultations and periodic meetings between the president and
the prime minister, between the secretary of state and the minister of
foreign affairs, between the secretary of defense and the minister of
defense, and between other Cabinet-level officials. In these meetings,
international and bilateral issues of immediate and significant
concern to both countries will be discussed as appropriate.
Article II
A. The director general of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the undersecretary of state for
political affairs will meet regularly, for a Joint Political
Consultation (JPQ to discuss a wide range of international issues of
mutual interest with a view toward increasing their mutual
understanding and appreciation of these issues.
B. The United States Agency
for International Development and Israel's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Division of International Cooperation (Mashav) meet
periodically to coordinate and facilitate, as appropriate, programs of
cooperative assistance to developing countries.
Article III
Israel and the United States
reaffirm the importance of the following Israeli-U.S. Joint Groups:
A. The Joint Political
Military Group (JPMG) is the forum in which the two states discuss and
implement, pursuant to existing arrangements, joint cooperative
efforts such as combined planning, joint exercises, and logistics. The
JPMG also discusses current political-military issues of mutual
strategic concern.
1. The JPMG is a binational,
interagency group co-chaired by the director general of the Israeli
Ministry of Defense and the U.S. assistant secretary of state for
politico-military affairs.
2. The JPMG normally meets
biannually, alternating between Israel and the United States.
B. The Joint Security
Assistance Planning Group (JSAP) is the forum in which the two states
review Israel's requests for security assistance in light of current
threat assessments and U.S. budgetary capabilities, and agree upon
proposed levels of security assistance. The JSAP also discusses issues
related to security assistance, such as industrial and technological
cooperation, as well as issues related to Israel's inclusion among
those countries currently designated as major non-NATO allies of the
United States for the purpose of cooperative research and development
under Section 1105 of the 1987 National Defense Authorization Act.
1. The JSAP is a binational,
interagency group co-chaired by the director general of the Ministry
of Defense and the undersecretary of state for security assistance,
science and technology.
2. The JSAP currently meets
annually, in Washington, D.C.
C. The Joint Economic
Development Group (JEDG) is the forum which discusses developments in
Israel's economy. With a view to stimulating economic growth and
self-reliance, the JEDG exchanges views on Israeli economic policy
planning, stabilization efforts, and structural reform. The JEDG also
evaluates Israel's requests for U.S. economic assistance.
1. The JEDG is a binational,
interagency group co-chaired by the director general of the Ministry
of Finance and the undersecretary of state for economic affairs. The
group includes private U.S. and Israeli economists invited by their
respective countries.
2. The JEDG currently meets
biannually, alternating between the United States and Israel.
Article IV
This Memorandum of Agreement
does not derogate from any existing agreements or undertakings between
the two states nor in any way prejudices the rights and obligations of
either state under the Charter of the United Nations or under
international law. In accordance with the above, the parties reaffirm
their aspirations to live in peace with all countries. This agreement
shall come into effect upon signature, shall be valid for an initial
period of five years, and shall thereafter be renewed for additional
periods of five years unless either party notifies the other prior to
the expiration of a five-year period that it wishes to terminate the
agreement.
DONE at Jerusalem and at
Washington, in duplicate, in the English language, the fourth day of
Iyar, 5748, the twenty-first of April, 1988.
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL:
Yitzhak Shamir
Prime Minister of Israel
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
Ronald Reagan
President of the U.S.A."
Sources: Israeli
Foreign Ministry |