THE JERUSALEM POST
December 10, 1997 11 Kislev 5758
Turkey Using Israel to Access US Arms
By Arieh O'Sullivan
ANKARA (December 10) - Israel is serving as a
comfortable alternative for transferring advanced
weapons and military know-how which the US has been
reluctant to give to Turkey due to its alleged abuse of
human rights.
So far the deals have included night-vision equipment
and anti-missile systems employed in helicopters used
in attacks against Kurdish rebels, Turkish defense
sources said. But Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai's
visit has pushed forward prospects for even greater
transfers of technology and weapons.
"This historic visit has achieved its goal: to widen
the base of cooperation with the Turks," Mordechai
said. "I certainly describe the relationship between us
and the Turks as the development of a strategic
relationship. All this is with the backing and
coordination of the US."
One of the reasons Turkey is so supportive of the
strategic alliance is its belief that the road to
Washington goes through Jerusalem. Israeli defense
officials said that in meetings at the Pentagon, they
act as Turkey's "advocate" in its quest for arms.
Turkey's human-rights record, however, has been
criticized and has led Washington to require it to
receive preapproval for all military orders it places
with US arms suppliers. This has resulted in the
cancellation of several orders after Congress denied
approval on human-rights grounds.
Five US defense companies reportedly have written
letters to the White House asking for a relaxation of
these conditions. And the US recently has allowed the
sale of three frigates to the Turkish navy, signifying
that the restrictions may be ebbing. Still Washington
is sensitive to the pressures from the strong Greek
lobby and is also pushing for Ankara to improve its
alleged human rights abuses in its crackdown on the
Kurds.
"Turkey, which was in the past on the front line
against the Soviet superpower, found itself less
needed, and disappointment caused it to look for other
sources," said Defense Ministry adviser David Ivry. "It
found in Israel a nation with advanced technology and
capabilities."
"Israel to this day has had a policy of not intervening
in any internal matters of any country in the world. We
don't like it when others interfere in our internal
matters. For this reason, our policy doesn't touch on
such matters [as human rights]."
Israeli defense officials said that the US had helped
set up large industrial bases in Turkey for the
production or assembly of fighter planes and armored
vehicles.
But the moment the Turks wanted technological know-how,
the Americans balked.
"They are a superpower and want to keep that to
themselves," one official said.
Israeli officials said they are competing to be the
subcontractor for a $3.5 billion deal to build attack
helicopters. Israel also is offering to upgrade
Turkey's M-60 main battle tank and is to submit a
tender to produce the Merkava MkIII tank. Next week,
the Turks are to decide between an Israeli and a German
company in a tender to replace its army's assault
rifles.
"There is a possibility of further cooperation with
Israel Aircraft Industries," Mordechai said, adding
that the joint production of the Arrow missile could
not be ruled out.
In previous meetings with Turkish defense officials,
Mordechai said Israel is prepared to "go up a notch" in
transferring weapons technology.
Ivry, a former air force commander and Defense Ministry
director-general, agreed.
"We are prepared to open technology" to the Turks, he
said. "We are not talking of operational cooperation.
We are talking of technologies and systems. This is
where we want to cooperate."
