US arms sales - TranceAddict Forums

TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- Political Discussion / Debate
-- US arms sales

Posted by atbell on Jul-31-2007 05:41:

US arms sales

priceless....

Rice unveils arms deals to counter Iran
By Daniel Dombey in London and agencies

Published: July 30 2007 19:55 | Last updated: July 30 2007 19:55

Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state, on Monday unveiled a series of multi-billion-dollar military agreements that Washington hopes will help stabilise the Middle East and counteract the rise of Iran.

Among the deals � which will need to be approved by Congress � are a 10-year, $30bn (�22bn, �15bn) military assistance agreement with Israel and a similar $13bn pact with Egypt.

Speaking before travelling to the region with Robert Gates, US defence secretary, Ms Rice also confirmed that she would discuss an arms package with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states.

She gave no figure for how much the Gulf arms deal would be worth. But officials have said it could total $20bn over 10 years and would upgrade Saudi Arabia�s missile defences and air force while increasing its naval capabilities.

�This effort will help bolster forces of moderation and support a broader strategy to counter the negative influences of al-Qaeda, Hizbollah, Syria and Iran,� Ms Rice said.

But some members of the US Congress are likely to oppose the deal with Saudi Arabia because of the country�s perceived reluctance to support the government of Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq�s prime minister, and congressional concern that Saudi officials have been complicit in the cross-border movement of Sunni extremists into Iraq.

The Bush administration hopes the prospective arms deals will encourage some of the Sunni governments in the region to overcome their suspicion of Mr Maliki, a Shia. �It is very important that the Sunni Arab neighbours do not read into Iraq an endless . . . Arab-Persian struggle,� a senior state department official said last week, referring to the propensity of some Sunni Arab officials to bracket Iraq�s Shia majority with Iran.

But Iran accused the US of seeking to create fear and cause divisions in the Middle East by announcing the military deals.

�America has always considered one policy in this region and that is creating fear and concerns in the countries of the region and trying to harm the good relations between these countries,� said Iran�s foreign ministry.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/a0b12724-3e...00779fd2ac.html

Posted by Lilith on Jul-31-2007 06:16:

I always had to smirk when reading about how the 'sale' gets spun by increasing stability in an area by moving a lot of weaponry. Because, it's only about the money and when we're talking billions, it's not small change either.
For once I'd just like to see something like this published as-

A series of multi-billion-dollar military agreements
Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state, on Monday unveiled a series of multi-billion-dollar military agreements that Washington hopes will help boost the US economy.
"Yep, we're going to sell them a crap ton of guns, make a lot of money and damn, we're gunna be rich! And the best thing is, if they turn around and shoot the crap out of their neighbours or even if they just have a change of government in 5 years time that hates us, hell I don't have to deal with it... because I'm rich biiiatch!"

Ah yes, transparent political sales.... too much to hope for.

Posted by Krypton on Jul-31-2007 15:45:

If only we ran on something other than crude oil.

Posted by Psygnosis on Aug-01-2007 10:03:

I find it quite funny how Rice puts Al Qaeda and Iran in the same list; the same Al Qaeda that caused September 11; the same group that had more Saudis than any others, yet Saudia Arabia is getting more benefit than Iran, who in turn helped America get rid of the Taliban, yet we haven't seen that kind of major assistants from the Saudis.

Funny world we live in.

Posted by Q5echo on Aug-01-2007 11:36:

quote:
Originally posted by Psygnosis

Funny world we live in.

it sure is when referenced in such simplistic terms.

Posted by Psygnosis on Aug-01-2007 12:04:

quote:
Originally posted by Q5echo
it sure is when referenced in such simplistic terms.

Nice one, is that a simplified input to the topic at hand aswell?

Posted by Purple on Aug-01-2007 13:27:

So.. now US is selling WMDs to counter effect the sale of pistols, sniper guns, AK-47s and hand grenades from Iran..

Posted by Q5echo on Aug-01-2007 20:36:

quote:
Originally posted by Psygnosis
Nice one, is that a simplified input to the topic at hand aswell?

nope. that's to your input. it's called a debate/discussion. thanks for playing.