Т е к с т № для устного перевода с листа

CONGRESSMEN URGE U.S. BOYCOTT OF PARIS AIR SHOW

PARIS: Because France is not falling into line with the Bush administration’s policy on Iraq, 18 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have urged the American aeronautics and space industry to boycott this year’s Paris air show.

But that could be a double-edged sword, because, as a spokeswoman for the Aerospace Industries Association of America said Friday, “It’s not going to hurt the French if the Americans are not there. In fact, this is the best opportunity for the United States to meet partners and competitors.”

This year’s show at Le Bourget airport, just outside Paris, is scheduled to take place June 15-22.

A U.S. boycott would certainly put a dent in the airshow, which this year celebrates the centenary of manned flight. In 2001, American companies totaled 36.7 percent of the exhibitors, while the Europeans totaled 40.8 percent.

America would also be missing a chance to sell its wares to arms buyers from scores of countries. After the Desert Storm campaign in the Gulf, the United States gained a great deal of cachet by displaying aircraft and ground equipment that had been used during the fighting.

If the boycott goes ahead, the only serious attack aircraft on display will be the French Mirage and Rafale fighters, the Europfighter and Russian MiGs and Sukhois. “That’s not sticking your fingers in French eyes. That’s sticking fingers in your own eyes,” said Joel Johnson, the head of international issues at the Aerospace Association.

A draft resolution was introduced by Representaitve Jim Saxton, a Republican from New Jersey. He was joined in his appeal by Duncan Hunter, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE, Feb. 15-16, 2003