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| NYT sez U.S. plans big arms sale to Soddies |
| 2007-07-28 |
| The Bush administration is preparing to ask Congress to approve arms sales totaling $20 billions over the next decade for Saudi Arabia and its neighbors, The New York Times reported in Saturday editions. Coming as some U.S. officials contend that the Saudi government is not helping the situation in Iraq, the proposal for advanced weapons for Saudi Arabia has stoked concern in Israel and among its U.S. backers, the Times said. The package of advanced weaponry includes advanced satellite-guided bombs, upgrades for its fighters and new naval vessels. Senior officials, including State Department and Pentagon officials who outlined the deals' terms, told the Times they thought the Bush administration had resolved those concerns, partly by offering Israel more than $30 billion in military aid over the next 10 years, which would be a significant increase over recent levels. Administration officials remain concerned, however, that the package could draw opposition from Saudi critics in Congress, which is to be notified formally about the deal this autumn, the newspaper said. The State Department and the White House had no comment on the Times' article, and a Pentagon spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment. Assurances from the Saudis about being more supportive in Iraq were not sought by the administration as part of the deal, U.S. officials told the newspaper. The Times said officials described the plan as intended to bolster Gulf countries' militaries in a bid to contain Iran's growing strength in the region, as well as to demonstrate Washington's commitment to its Arab allies. But they added that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates still plan to use their joint visit to Saudi Arabia next week to press for help with Iraq's government. "The role of the Sunni Arab neighbors is to send a positive, affirmative message to moderates in Iraq in government that the neighbors are with you," the newspaper quoted a senior State Department official as saying. The official added that Washington wants Gulf states to stress to Sunnis that engaging in violence is "killing your future." Other salves to Israel in light of the proposed deal include asking the Saudis to accept restrictions on the range, size and location of the satellite-guided bombs, the Times said. The Pentagon is also asking for a commitment not to store the weapons at air bases close to Israeli territory, it added. |
| Posted by:Seafarious |
| #8 I think all their soldiers are Pakistani. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2007-07-28 21:28 |
| #7 Can the Saudis actually maintain complicated weapons without Western technicians? Or will it become so much really cool, terribly sophisticated junk the first dust storm after the foreigners leave? |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2007-07-28 21:24 |
| #6 No. $70 so everybody pays at the pump for Saudi weapons |
| Posted by: John Frum 2007-07-28 19:54 |
| #5 What do we get for this ? $20 a barrel oil ? Heh $19 ? Do I hear 18 ? |
| Posted by: wxjames 2007-07-28 19:15 |
| #4 Most likely not but it will still make Saudi Arabia just that much harder to take down when the time comes is there any doubt that the Saudi Army would fold like a house of cards? They are Arabs, you know? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-07-28 18:51 |
| #3 And will these arms be used to murder US troops in Iraq? Most likely not but it will still make Saudi Arabia just that much harder to take down when the time comes. While there's probably some merit in keeping the Saudis firmly addicted to American military hardware, we really need to begin choking off all significant weapons upgrades and new technology. At some point the House of Saud will need to be brought down. Iran and Pakistan are higher priorities right now, but the Saud's treachery still has yet to be rewarded. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-07-28 17:54 |
| #2 And will these arms be used to murder US troops in Iraq? |
| Posted by: Phuting Brown1651 2007-07-28 15:18 |
| #1 The State Department and the White House had no comment on the Times' article, and a Pentagon spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment. Veracity of report confirmed: YES ( X ) No (_____) Damage assessment: On a par with recent sighting of pig wearing Rolex. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2007-07-28 07:30 |