Indo-Asian News Service | July 28, 2007
The US is mulling arms sales worth $20 billion to Saudi Arabia as part of a controversial deal that could run into opposition from legislators, The New York Times reported on Saturday.
The package would include advance weaponry such as satellite-guided bombs and upgrades to the country’s air force and navy, the daily said.
The deal, to be formally presented to Congress during the fall, comes as administration officials voiced concerns on Friday that Saudi Arabia was playing an unproductive role in Iraq. Assurance that the Saudi government would lend greater support to US efforts in Iraq was reportedly not part of the arms deal.
The increase in arms sales is part of a plan to bolster the militaries of US allies in the Gulf in the face of Iran’s growing strength in the region, officials told the Times. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates could also receive increased military aid as part of the deal.
Legislators, some concerned about the sale’s impact on the chief US ally in the region, Israel, were briefed on the possible deal this week – a move requested by Saudi Arabia itself before the two countries entered into final talks on the arms package, the Times said.
US officials believed they could placate Israel and Congress’ concerns by also promising increased military aid to the Jewish state, while placing restrictions on Saudi Arabia over the range of bombs to be sold and how close to Israel the weapons could be stored.
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THE US plans a series of arms deals worth at least $US20 billion ($23 billion) with Saudi Arabia and five other oil-rich Persian Gulf states, it was reported today.
9 responses so far ↓
Nasdaq7 // July 28, 2007 at 9:22 pm
I believe GW Bush will go down in history as one of the most corrupt American presidents ever. Since he has been elected, he has deserted his promise to serve the interests of the people ; he is now only catering to the interests of his buddies. And he has just stabbed Israel in the back. What a thief! A murderer to the Iraqi people and traitor to the American people.
Janice George // July 28, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Is our government NUTS…….. Just invite the saudis over and take over DAMN DAMN DAMN
charle // July 28, 2007 at 11:19 pm
THIS IS NOTHING NEW.THE POWERS OF THIS WORLD WANT WAR,IN THE PRETENSE OF PEACE.THE WORLD HAS BEEN CREATED BY GOD AND IS BEING DESTROYED BY EVIL MEN.WOLVES IN SHEEPS CLOTHING.THEY FOLLOW THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD ,WHOSE TIME IS SHORT.GOD SEES AND KNOWS ALL ,THERE IS NOTHING DONE IN THE DARKNESS THAT WILL NOT BE SEEN IN THE LIGHT…..HOW LONG, LORD?,HOW LONG?????
Fernando F. // July 29, 2007 at 12:50 am
let me think: Al-Qaeda was upset because of the presence of the US military in Saudi Arabia, so they bomb the US barracks killing a lot of innocent soldiers. Then the 1st attack in NY, the USS Cole, the embassies in Africa. Still no discussion of the US military presence in the Middle East, in land that is consider holy for the muslims. Then 9/11. Still no discussion about the Saudis. The pages are black out from the 9/11 report. The attacks to soldiers in Iraq are carried by 50% of Saudis (only some are from Iran).
And now the best the US can do is sell 20 billions in arms to the Saudi Royalty and perpetuate their power in the region, and piss off more than ever all the Al-Qaeda people. WOW! You have to be kidding me! How much more is GB and the WH going to blame Al-Qaeda hate to our Democracy and liberties. Is the Policies stupid!!!
pjwalker911 // July 29, 2007 at 1:24 am
AC/DC Bush walks around literally holding hands with the Saudi princes. His daddy has been deeply in bed with the bin Ladins and House of Saud for decades. Prince Bandar is nicknamed “Bandar Bush” and his family wired money to the hijacker patsies. Capiche?
Mike // July 29, 2007 at 4:20 am
Are you kidding me? Who owns this country? The citizens of the US or the Saudi’s?
I cannot believe we are even considering this deal.
George Bush will go down in history as starting WWIII.
I know I will be telling my congressional leaders to not approve this deal.
Jake // July 29, 2007 at 6:00 am
I thought the government would have learned the first time we sold weapons to a country only to have them shot back at us in a few years (I speak of Saddam, of course). This deal cannot go through simply because its only purpose is to continue the high level of violence in the Middle East. That is, unless that’s the plan because the U.S. wants to swoop in again and attempt to save the day… hey, maybe we’ll get pissed off enough and just force Saudi Arabia into a democratic nation in a few years.
pjwalker911 // July 29, 2007 at 6:15 am
Jake wrote:
“its only purpose is to continue the high level of violence in the Middle East.”
That isn’t the only purpose, but it is one of the main ones.
Nasdaq7 // July 29, 2007 at 4:11 pm
The main purpose is MONEY. Bush and his buddies realise that if they sell to Saudi Arabia 23 billion dollars worth of arms, Egypt will feel threatened and buy billions from the US its main supplier, then Israel, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Oman ALL will have to upgrade their millitary defenses. And Bush and co. will make enough money meanwhile until they win another term sometime in the future. Let the Democrats sort out the mess.