State Department Backs Sale Over Congressional Concerns

The idea that the United States would sell guided bomb technology to Saudi Arabia set off immediate opposition in Congress last November, as ANN reported. Some lawmakers openly questioned whether the technology would be used against Israel.

Reuters reports the Pentagon Tuesday moved to diffuse congressional opposition by releasing details of the proposed sale, valued at $123 million. The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the sale of 900 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) kits would improve the accuracy of Saudi bombs and help its F-15 fighters take a larger role in coalition operations.

The technology allows old-fashioned "dumb bombs" to be upgraded to use GPS and inertial guidance for precision targeting, similar to the "smart bombs" which first amazed us all on TV newscasts during Desert Storm.

Including this latest proposal, total proposed arms sales to Persian Gulf countries stands at $11.5 billion. The Bush administration wants to arm allies to counter what it perceives as a growing threat in the region from Iran.

The agency says the sale will enhance training opportunities, increase Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 operational capability, sustainability, and interoperability with the US Air Force and and other coalition air forces. The council oversees arms sales to foreign nations.

The US Department of State joined the sales pitch to Congress on Monday, assuring lawmakers the US has coordinated with both Israel and Saudi Arabia to ensure the weapons won't be a threat to the Jewish state. White House strategists believe they have enough votes in Congress to get approval.

FMI: www.saudiembassy.net, www.state.gov, www.pentagon.mil