China cries foul over arms deal
Haaretz reports key parts of drone confiscated
BEIJING -China complained Monday about outside interference in its relations with Israel after reports that the government called off an arms deal under U.S. pressure.
On Sunday, Haaretz said the government had confiscated key parts of an unmanned "Harpy" drone aircraft sent to Israel by China for servicing. Officials said the United States had imposed sanctions on Israel over the deal.
A statement by China's foreign ministry said development of relations with Israel "will not harm the interests of any third party," without mentioning the United States.
"Other countries should not make unreasonable remarks regarding this," the statement said. It said relations should "overcome interference by outside elements."
Routine maintenance
China sent the parts to state-owned manufacturer Israel Aircraft Industries last year for what Israel says was routine maintenance. Washington contends it was for an important technological upgrade. Israel originally sold the drones in the 1990s.
The U.S. worries that a Chinese arms buildup could threaten Taiwan and U.S. forces in Asia.
In 2000, Washington pressured Israel to cancel a USD 2 billion dollar (NIS 9 billion) Phalcon rdeconnaissance planes to China. The cancelleation strained relations between Israel and China and the government paid hundreds of millions of dollars in reparations.
