Exposing Bush’S ”Gulf Security Dialogue” With Saudi Arabia

Improving Saudi Arabia’s missile defense capabilities was ‘high on the [Bush] agenda,’ according to a former official. Exposing Bush’s ”Gulf Security Dialogue” With Saudi ArabiaBy Cliff Montgomery – Feb. 5th, 2008The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report on Jan. 14th, 2008, entitled, The Gulf Security Dialogue and Related Arms Sale Proposals. It shows that the Bush Administration often seems more interested in propping up Middle East dictatorships–especially that of Saudi Arabia–than it is in changing them.We offer quotes below:“In May 2006, the Administration launched an effort to revive U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) security cooperation under the auspices of a new Gulf Security Dialogue (GSD).”The Dialogue now serves as the principal security coordination mechanism between the United States and the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. The core objectives of the Dialogue are the promotion of intra-GCC and GCC-U.S. cooperation to meet common perceived threats. […]”In recent months, some Members of Congress have expressed concern regarding an Administration proposal to sell satellite-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) kits to Saudi Arabia. […]”The JDAM is a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite-aided, inertial guidance kit that can be attached to unguided MK-82, MK- 83, MK-84, BLU-109, and BLU- 110 conventional bombs. The precision guidance of JDAM kits enhance bombing accuracy considerably.”As such, some observers have expressed concern about the sale of JDAM kits to foreign countries because of the potential consequences of their use as offensive weapons. […]”In the Middle East region, to date, the United States has sold JDAM kits to Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Since August 2007, the Administration has notified Congress of proposals to sell 10,000 JDAM kits to Israel and 200 JDAM kits to the United Arab Emirates.”On January 14, 2008, the Administration formally notified Congress of a proposal to sell 900 JDAM kits to Saudi Arabia. […]”The maintenance of stability in the Persian Gulf region has long been a national security priority for the United States. Primary U.S. objectives have included securing the free flow of the region’s oil and natural gas to international markets and supporting allied regional governments in their efforts to balance external threats and maintain internal security.”In pursuit of these objectives, successive U.S. administrations have demonstrated security commitments to the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Significant arms sales, prolonged military training programs, material pre-positioning and basing arrangements, joint exercises, and direct military interventions have characterized U.S. policy toward the Gulf region.[From a footnote:] “From the year of the GCC’s founding, 1981, through September 30, 2006, the United States delivered over $72 billion in weapons, training, equipment, and related services to the six GCC countries through the government-to-government Foreign Military Sales program. Over $57 billion of these sales were made to Saudi Arabia. (Note: The aggregate figure includes recent deliveries made to the United Arab Emirates under a commercial sales agreement for 80 F-16 Block 60 aircraft). […]”In October 2006, then-Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kohler predicted that sales related to the Gulf Security Dialogue (GSD) would likely increase the number of arms sales proposals involving the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries during 2007.”According to Kohler, improving GCC countries’ missile defense capabilities was ‘high on the [Bush] agenda.'”Among other potential weapons sales Kohler discussed were border and maritime security equipment, including radar systems and communications gear.[…] “The Administration has since issued formal notifications to Congress of arms sale proposals to provide some of these systems to some GCC countries.”In early 2007, press reports quoted unnamed U.S. officials as indicating that the Administration planned to notify Congress of a proposed sale of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) technology to Saudi Arabia and that some Israeli officials had expressed tentative opposition to such a sale.” In response, some Members of Congress began expressing concern about the potential sale of JDAM technology to Saudi Arabia.”Some Members of Congress remain opposed to a prospective sale based on concern for the protection of U.S. and allied forces in the Gulf region and the preservation of Israel’s so-called ‘qualitative military edge’ over its Arab neighbors.”On January 14, 2007, the Administration formally notified Congress of a proposal to sell 900 JDAM kits to Saudi Arabia.Congressional Initiatives“Since July 2007, Members of Congress have submitted a series of letters to President Bush expressing concern about potential weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and calling for the Administration to take specific actions.”Some Members have warned that the submission of a formal notification of a proposal to sell JDAM technology to Saudi Arabia without specific assurances could result in the introduction of resolutions of disapproval to prevent the sale.”Others have vowed to introduce or otherwise support resolutions of disapproval in the event the Administration informs Congress of any proposal to sell JDAM kits to Saudi Arabia.”Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!