The SC
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2012
- Messages
- 32,233
- Reaction score
- 21
- Country
- Location
Sunday, 26 May, 2019 - 11:15
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (Reuters)
Washington - Asharq Al-Awsat
US President Donald Trump ignored Congress’ objections and approved the $8 billion arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, saying this is a national emergency because of tensions with Iran.
The Trump administration informed congressional committees that it will go ahead with 22 military sales to the three countries, infuriating lawmakers by circumventing a long-standing precedent for congressional review of major weapons sales.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration had decided to proceed with arms sales and bypass Congress because any delay could increase risk for US partners at a time of instability caused by Iran.
“These sales will support our allies, enhance Middle East stability, and help these nations to deter and defend themselves from Iran,” he said in a statement.
He stressed that he is determined to pursue section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act and directed the Department to complete immediately the formal notification of 22 pending arms transfers to the three countries.
The equipment includes aircraft support maintenance; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); munitions; and other supplies, revealed the statement.
It warned that delaying the shipment could cause degraded systems and a lack of necessary parts and maintenance that could create severe airworthiness and interoperability concerns for key partners during a time of increasing regional volatility.
“These national security concerns have been exacerbated by many months of Congressional delay in addressing these critical requirements, and have called into doubt our reliability as a provider of defense capabilities, opening opportunities for US adversaries to exploit.”
Pompeo explained that this is a “one-time event”, asserting that Section 36 is a long-recognized authority and has been utilized by at least four previous administrations since 1979, including Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.
He went on to say that this specific measure does not alter the long-standing arms transfer review process with Congress.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Congress to develop prudent measures to advance and protect US national security interests in the region.”
The United States is, and must remain, a reliable security partner to its allies and partners around the world, noted Pompeo, adding that these partnerships are a cornerstone of the country’s National Security Strategy, which this decision reaffirms.
For months, members of Congress had been blocking sales of offensive military equipment to Saudi Arabia and the UAE due to their concerns over the war in Yemen.
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1740391/pompeo-defends-arms-sales-saudi-arabia-uae-jordan
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (Reuters)
Washington - Asharq Al-Awsat
US President Donald Trump ignored Congress’ objections and approved the $8 billion arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, saying this is a national emergency because of tensions with Iran.
The Trump administration informed congressional committees that it will go ahead with 22 military sales to the three countries, infuriating lawmakers by circumventing a long-standing precedent for congressional review of major weapons sales.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration had decided to proceed with arms sales and bypass Congress because any delay could increase risk for US partners at a time of instability caused by Iran.
“These sales will support our allies, enhance Middle East stability, and help these nations to deter and defend themselves from Iran,” he said in a statement.
He stressed that he is determined to pursue section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act and directed the Department to complete immediately the formal notification of 22 pending arms transfers to the three countries.
The equipment includes aircraft support maintenance; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); munitions; and other supplies, revealed the statement.
It warned that delaying the shipment could cause degraded systems and a lack of necessary parts and maintenance that could create severe airworthiness and interoperability concerns for key partners during a time of increasing regional volatility.
“These national security concerns have been exacerbated by many months of Congressional delay in addressing these critical requirements, and have called into doubt our reliability as a provider of defense capabilities, opening opportunities for US adversaries to exploit.”
Pompeo explained that this is a “one-time event”, asserting that Section 36 is a long-recognized authority and has been utilized by at least four previous administrations since 1979, including Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.
He went on to say that this specific measure does not alter the long-standing arms transfer review process with Congress.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Congress to develop prudent measures to advance and protect US national security interests in the region.”
The United States is, and must remain, a reliable security partner to its allies and partners around the world, noted Pompeo, adding that these partnerships are a cornerstone of the country’s National Security Strategy, which this decision reaffirms.
For months, members of Congress had been blocking sales of offensive military equipment to Saudi Arabia and the UAE due to their concerns over the war in Yemen.
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1740391/pompeo-defends-arms-sales-saudi-arabia-uae-jordan
