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Indian Arms Plan Worries State Dept. By Peter Slevin and Bradley Graham As tensions run high between India and Pakistan, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell is prepared to tell the Indian government during his upcoming trip to New Delhi of his objections to India's proposed purchase of a sophisticated missile defense system from Israel. State Department officials, anxious to prevent India and Pakistan from slipping into war, fear that the sale of the Arrow Weapon System could exacerbate friction between the two countries and provide other nations with a justification to peddle missile technology. "We have concerns about the introduction of more missiles into this area," a senior department official said. "It could be destabilizing." Backers of the proposed Israeli sale, including supporters in the Pentagon, cite U.S. allegiance to Israel and President Bush's pledge to enlist U.S. allies in missile defense development. These proponents argue that defense cooperation with India could improve U.S.-India ties. They say it could also reward the Indian government for its retreat from confrontation with Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir. The administration's analysis of the Israeli proposal to sell the Arrow system is not complete, but the idea has received fresh attention in recent days and is undergoing high-level consideration, a senior Pentagon official said. The State Department official said the administration expects to advise the Israelis of its views "fairly soon." Meanwhile, India has requested information about the American-made Patriot antimissile weapon, manufactured by Raytheon Co. A company executive said Raytheon will brief Indian officials about the Patriot's capabilities as early as next month. "Were India to proceed with an investment in missile defense, one thing is certain: Pakistan will respond in some fashion, either by increasing its offensive capability to counter such a defensive shield or by pursuing its own form of missile defense wherever they could obtain it," said Karl F. Inderfurth, who had been an assistant secretary of state in the Clinton administration. "That is an iron law of the action-reaction cycle in South Asia." The Arrow Weapon System allows Israel to defend against short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. Because the program was developed in partnership with the United States, U.S. approval is required for sales to other countries. Israel has said it would like to sell to India and Turkey. "It's been our position that it makes sense economically and strategically to export to India," said Mark Regev, spokesman for the Israeli Embassy here, who said Israel agrees with the need for delay while tensions are high. Senior State Department officials are united against the sale for geopolitical and arms control reasons, sources said. A prime concern is the message such a sale would send to Russia, China and other weapons exporters at a time when an administration priority is a reduction in arms proliferation. An Arrow sale may violate the 1987 Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), an agreement among more than 30 countries that seeks to limit the spread of missile technology. "We have some issues we need to sort through, particularly how the sale relates to the MTCR. That's an open question," said the Pentagon official. "We certainly understand India's interest in missile defense." Defense Department officials who favor Israel's proposal include backers of Israel, which would stand to profit handsomely, as well as supporters of the administration's missile defense plans. U.S. officials are about to embark on missions to Europe and Asia to discuss partnerships in the long-term development project. Bush contends missile defense will be a force for stability around the world. Raytheon has set up Patriot systems in eight countries since the rocket interceptors were first rushed into service during the 1991 Persian Gulf War to combat Iraqi Scud missiles. Meanwhile, the administration advised Congress this week that it intends to sell arms to Pakistan and India. Pakistan would buy six C-130 cargo planes in what would be the first major military sale since sanctions were lifted last year in return for its cooperation in the war against al Qaeda and the Taliban. India wants to buy parts for military equipment, such as helicopters, warplanes and radar systems. Sanctions barring U.S. military assistance were imposed in 1998 after India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons. |