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Clinton termed 'most arms export happy president' ever

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Tuesday, January 30, 2001

WASHINGTON — President George Bush inherits what arms control analysts term a problematic arms control legacy from his predecessor. The legacy includes President Bill Clinton's approval of weapons systems to the Middle East that have not yet been deployed in the U.S. military.

These include the F-16 Block 60 aircraft to the United Arab Emirates and Clinton's recommendation for the export of the new F-22 to Israel.

"Even had he not already lifted almost every U.S. arms export barrier, the promise to sell the radar-evading, stealth aircraft to Israel would solidify Clinton's legacy as the most arms export happy president in U.S. history," said the Washington-based Arm Trade Insider.

The influential newsletter said Clinton's pledge makes it difficult for either Bush or Congress to stop the sale of the F-22 to Israel. The publication said that the export recommendation is unprecedented for a U.S. weapon that has not yet been produced.

Arms control analysts said Bush would probably seek to balance Clinton's recommendation by offering the F-22 to an Arab ally — probably Saudi Arabia. They said the F-22 export sale was the most damaging move to U.S. arms control policy since Clinton approved the sale of 80 F-16 Block 60 jets in a $6.8 billion sale. The deal includes the transfer to the UAE of advanced phased-array radar.

"In his final days in office, President Clinton has frantically maneuvered to solidify his legacy on domestic issues," Arms Trade Insider said. "But his most peculiar legacy may be the contradictory role he played as Middle East arms dealer and peace broker. This administration did almost everything it could, short of selling fighter aircraft to Iran, to keep America the world's number one arms dealer."

Tuesday, January 30, 2001



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