Amman slates Israeli efforts to torpedo US-Jordan arms deal

By: Ahmed Hammadi

HELD JERUSALEM: A Jordan official says Israel does not need to worry that it is buying missiles from the US saying Amman is buying the missiles to protect its interests.

The comments came after Israeli government and security officials said on Sunday Israel is trying to scuttle an arms deal that would put high-tech US-made AMRAAM air-to-air missiles on Jordanian aircraft. The deal is said to be in advanced stages. Israel is pressuring Washington through congressmen and lobbyists.

“Jordan is doing what is required for its interests and for its security,” said the Jordanian official on condition of anonymity. “We don't need either the approval or the blessing of any third country, and frankly speaking we are very much surprised by this information.”

An Israeli security official, who declined to be named, said Israel would settle for a compromise that would make it technologically impossible to aim AMRAAM missiles at Israel or a pledge that the weapons would not be sold to Egypt.

This is the first time Israel has tried to prevent Jordan from buying US-manufactured arms since the two countries signed a peace treaty in 1996.

Officials said Israel is worried Egypt may follow Jordan's example. Israel and Egypt also have a peace agreement, but officials said Israel is concerned about Egypt's “arms race.”

The AMRAAM missiles can accurately find a target before being fired, and if such a weapon reaches other countries in the region it could hurt the Israeli army's “quality advantage.”

The official said it is unclear why Jordan is interested in such a missile because “it is clear that if Jordan is attacked we will do the work for it.”

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