NSC's Hadley opposes exporting F-22s, even to close allies East-Asia-Intel.com, June 12, 2008 White House National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley indicated last week that the United States remains unwilling to sell advanced F-22 jets to Japan and Israel. Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert raised the issue of the F-22 purchase during meetings at the White House last week. The Israelis also may be interested in the F-35, which, unlike the F-22, is currently available for export. Asked about Olmert's request, Hadley replied: "You know, there are a lot of countries who have expressed interest in the F-22. As you know, there's legislation that prevents it from being sold abroad, that's on the books." [Image] Japan also has asked the U.S. to sell it the F-22, but the White House has balked over concerns that the transfers will upset China. According to Japanese press reports, the Pentagon told Tokyo that before considering F-22 sales to Japan, it had to supply its war plans for China to the United States. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), said recently that he would consider pursuing lifting the ban on F-22 exports. "I'm a strong supporter of Israel getting all the material and equipment they need," said Berman. Asked about dropping the ban on F-22 sales, he said: "I certainly would look at it." var sc_project=1455042; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_partition=13; var sc_security="a6aa62ca";
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