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The Serbia-Israel connection
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The
Serbia-Israel connection
ISRAEL has received an urgent Serbian request for military supplies, according to FOREIGN REPORT's Israeli sources. The Serbian government, through a senior Israeli diplomat, has presented its shopping list of military equipment, medicines and credit. The Israeli response is not known.
Military ties between the Israelis and the Serb regime led by Slobodan Milosevic started in 1992 when a delegation from the Israeli defence ministry arrived in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, to try to sell arms to Serbia. According to the report from our sources, which is unconfirmed, a deal was eventually done for the supply of a large quantity of shells.
The co-operation became closer. About two months ago, some Serbian MiG-21 fighters - an old type but reliable - were flown to Israel. At an air base, Israeli experts examined the possibility of upgrading the MiGs by modernising their electronics and weapons. Avionics experts said the MiGs were too old and suggested that the Serbians buy new models. The MiG's were flown home.
Arm the enemy?
The Israel-Serbia Connection is bound to be frowned upon by the United States; it has also been criticised by an Israeli parliamentary committee. Its members pointed to reports that until 1992 Serbia was the main training location for the Palestinians.
Two Israeli groups support Serbia. One is the Serbian-Israeli Friendship Group, which regards Serbia's opposition to Hitler during the second world war as heroic. The other is the influential arms industry which, in a shrinking market, is fighting for its survival. Since most of the Serbian army is equipped with Russian-made weapons, with which the Israelis are familiar, this looks like a good opportunity. Serbia also has some T-60 tanks in need of updating.
The government need not be involved. Contacts between the two countries have been made through private businessmen. One of them is Jerusalem-based. Our sources say the Israelis are weighing the urgent Serbian request for assistance. On one hand, the Americans and Europeans would be angry. On the other hand, as our source says, the Israelis think they can get away with anything as far as the United States government is concerned.
Our prediction: Israel will respond with a substantial proposal, but only after the crisis is over.
Foreign Report