04 November 2003

Bush to Provide $2.22 Billion for Israeli Military Aid in FY 05

U.S., Israeli officials met in Israel October 29-30

The Bush administration is seeking to provide Israel with $2.22 billion in military assistance in fiscal year 2005, according to a media note released November 3 by the State Department.

At the 36th meeting of the U.S.-Israel Joint Political Military Group held in Israel October 29-30, the United States and Israel exchanged letters "confirming the intent of the Administration, subject to Congressional approval, to provide Israel $2.22 billion in foreign military assistance in FY2005," the media note said. Fiscal year 2005 starts October 1, 2004 and runs to September 30, 2005.

During the meeting, the Bush administration reaffirmed its commitment "to enhancing Israel's security and maintaining Israel's qualitative edge over any combination of adversaries," the media note said.

Following is the text of the media note:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
November 3, 2003

MEDIA NOTE

U.S. - Israel Joint Political Military Group U.S. - Israel Agreement of FY2005 Security Assistance Levels

The 36th meeting of the U.S.-Israel Joint Political Military Group (JPMG) was held in Israel, October 29-30. The meeting was hosted the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense Director General, Amos Yaron. Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr. led the U.S. delegation. During the two days of discussions, the United States and Israel exchanged views on regional security matters and defense cooperation issues.

A major event during the JPMG was the Joint Security Assistance Planning presentation, which allowed the United States and Israel to review Israel's requests for future security assistance. As part of that presentation, the United States and Israel exchanged letters on October 29 confirming the intent of the Administration, subject to Congressional approval, to provide Israel $2.22 billion in foreign military assistance in FY2005. In addition to noting the importance attached to the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship, the letters reaffirmed the Administration's commitment to enhancing Israel's security and maintaining Israel's qualitative edge over any combination of adversaries.

Assistant Secretary Bloomfield reiterated the Administration's support for cooperative U.S.-Israeli programs and its commitment to continuing to seek funding for future U.S. participation in selected joint research and development projects with Israel. The two sides discussed the importance of maintaining effective controls over weapons and defense technology once exported internationally.

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