http://www.geostrategy-direct.com/geostrategy-direct/secure/2011/05_25/me.as p
Congress questioning Obama Administration on Mideast military sales WASHINGTON - Congress has expressed concern over U.S. arms sales to Arab allies in the Middle East. Leading members of Congress have questioned the administration of President Barack Obama regarding U.S. defense sales to the Arab world. They said the House and Senate were concerned that Arab dictators could use U.S. weapons and equipment to quell pro-democracy protests. http://www.geostrategy-direct.com/geostrategy-direct/images/2011/kingandprez .jpg President Obama with King Abdullah in June 2010. The U.S. plans to sell hundreds of military aircraft to Saudi Arabia over the next decade. _____ "It's time for a new level of caution in the Middle East," Rep. Howard Berman, a leading House Democrat, said. At a May 12 hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, administration officials were repeatedly asked whether the United States would continue its defense export policy to the Middle East amid the Arab revolt. James Miller, principal deputy defense undersecretary, said Washington has placed some arms sales to the region on "pause," but did not elaborate. Nine days earlier, however, a senior State Department official said U.S. defense exports have not been affected by the Arab revolt. Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro said the administration plans a review of defense exports to Arab allies. "While the impact on our defense relations and the defense trade is uncertain, changes in the region may lead to changes in policy and therefore changes in how we do business," Shapiro said. "However, one thing we do know is that our defense relationships, our security assistance programs, our foreign military sales, and our defense trade with countries in the Middle East will likely be one of our most useful tools in building new partnerships, as well as strengthening existing ones." The House has also questioned the administration's decision to sell dual-use aerospace systems to Iran. The White House has allowed the sale of engines for Boeing passenger aircraft to Mahan Air, identified as an affiliate of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. "They've [aircraft] been used for the transport of weapons to terrorist organizations," Rep. Brad Sherman, a California Democrat, said. For his part, Shapiro said U.S. military aid to Egypt ensured that cooperation with Washington remained even after the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt has been receiving $1.3 billion in annual U.S. military aid, and this month resumed major arms projects with Cairo. "In Egypt our military sales, our security assistance, and our long-running defense relationship gave us influence and leverage that enabled us to urge restraint and encourage democratic reforms," Shapiro told the Defense Trade Advisory Group. "We believe that our security relationship can continue to play an important role as Egypt's democratic transition unfolds." Officials said the administration had no plans to reduce arms sales to such Gulf Arab allies as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In 2011, the administration launched plans to supply $60 billion worth of combat platforms and munitions to Riyad. At the House hearing, Undersecretary of State Ellen Tauscher acknowledged congressional concern over U.S. arms sales to the Middle East. Ms. Tauscher pledged to increase consultation in advance of defense announcements. "I know that everybody is sensitive about the Middle East," Ms. Tauscher said. "We have consistently worked in consultations with House and Senate committees and also inside the government and the region before we go ahead with any arms sales. We are confident that when we do make an announcement of such a sale we know where they are going and they are not transferred." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? 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