Cohen for providing early warning systems services to the Gulf states

US Defense Secretary William Cohen on Monday proposed to provide early warning information on missile launches (by Iraq or Iran) and equipment to the Gulf states.

In a press statement in Abu Dhabi, Cohen said he had given his proposal in this respect to the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan, as well as to Bahraini and Saudi officials he recently met with.

Last year, the US had proposed to the Gulf states to share with the development of an advanced US-financed anti-missile missile system that is being developed in Israel (Arrow system). The US had sought to have the Gulf states share in the development cost of this yet undeveloped system as a guard against Iran and/or Iraq.

Cohen also expressed his confidence that a contract providing for selling US F-16 warplanes to the UAE will be completed. He explained that the contract to sell the UAE 80 F-16 warplanes at a cost of US $1 billion was discussed with Sheikh Zayed and that the two sides are achieving progress.

Meanwhile, press economic sources in London indicated disputes between Washington and Abu Dhabi on specifications of equipment to be provided with the US F-16 warplanes which are to be sold to the UAE. The sources stated that the US seeks to provide the UAE with less powerful equipment than that demanded by the UAE. The US has in past taken consideration that any advanced military equipment it sells do not pose a risk to Israel, by limiting the flight range of the aircrafts or through providing a limited version of the equipments.