Israel complains that the US is using an informal process of consultations to shut down Israeli arms exports. The US requires Israel to confer with it before exporting weapons to 27 "countries of concern" which include China, India, and Yugoslavia. The Israelis complain that once such notification is given, the US brings massive political pressure to bear to stop the sales. The Israelis sent a delegation to the Pentagon to discuss the matter, suggesting that such notices be given only in cases where US technology is involved. The US refused, noting that Israel has a habit of copying US technology and selling the copies without admitting that they are based on US designs (for example, the sale of tank cannon barrels and the technology to make them to China). The US also rejected an Israeli demand that it notify them ahead of any sale to an Arab nation.--Stephen V Cole