Jerusalem, 22 April 1999
Defense Minister Arens to United States
(Communicated by the Defense Minister's Media Advisor)
Defense Minister Moshe Arens will, on Saturday night, 24.4.99, leave on an
official visit to the United States, at the invitation of US Defense
Secretary William Cohen.
During his visit, Defense Minister Arens will meet with Secretary Cohen,
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, National Security Advisor Samuel
Berger and Members of Congress. Arens will also visit the Texas
headquarters of both Boeing and Lockheed Martin, in connection with the
planned Israeli purchase of new combat aircraft. In New York, Arens will
meet with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
During the course of the visit, Arens will address a number of issues:
i) the aircraft deal,
ii) regional issues (Palestinians, Syria and Lebanon) pertaining to the
political process,
iii) Middle East strategic issues, including the threats posed by Iran and
Iraq
iv) bilateral Israeli-American security matters, and
v) the crisis in Europe.
While in the United States, Defense Minister Arens will also hold meetings
with AIPAC, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, JINSA and the
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.