MOBILE DEVICES
Free Headline Alerts     
Worldwide Web WorldTribune.com

  breaking... 


Thursday, March 18, 2010    

Obama blocks delivery of bunker-busters to Israel

WASHINGTON — The United States has diverted a shipment of bunker-busters designated for Israel.   

Officials said the U.S. military was ordered to divert a shipment of smart bunker-buster bombs from Israel to a military base in Diego Garcia. They said the shipment of 387 smart munitions had been slated to join pre-positioned U.S. military equipment in Israel Air Force bases.

"This was a political decision," an official said.


Also In This Edition

In 2008, the United States approved an Israeli request for bunker-busters capable of destroying underground facilities, including Iranian nuclear weapons sites. Officials said delivery of the weapons was held up by the administration of President Barack Obama, Middle East Newsline reported.

Since taking office, Obama has refused to approve any major Israeli requests for U.S. weapons platforms or advanced systems. Officials said this included proposed Israeli procurement of AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, refueling systems, advanced munitions and data on a stealth variant of the F-15E.

"All signs indicate that this will continue in 2010," a congressional source familiar with the Israeli military requests said. "This is really an embargo, but nobody talks about it publicly."

Under the plan, the U.S. military was to have stored 195 BLU-110 and 192 BLU-117 munitions in unspecified air force bases in Israel. The U.S. military uses four Israeli bases for the storage of about $400 million worth of pre-positioned equipment meant for use by either Washington or Jerusalem in any regional war.

In January 2010, the administration agreed to an Israeli request to double the amount of U.S. military stockpiles to $800 million. Officials said the bunker-busters as well as Patriot missile interceptors were included in the agreement.

The decision to divert the BLU munitions was taken amid the crisis between Israel and the United States over planned construction of Jewish homes in Jerusalem. The administration, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has warned that Washington could reduce military aid to Israel because of its construction policy.

In 2007, after its war in Lebanon, Israel requested 2,000 BLU-109 live bombs from the United States. The 2,000-pound bomb, produced by Boeing and coupled with a laser guidance kit, was designed to penetrate concrete bunkers and other underground hardened sites.

Israeli ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, was quoted as saying that his country faced its biggest crisis with the United States since 1975. A pro-Israel lobbyist said Oren was referring to the current U.S. embargo, which echoed a decision taken 35 years ago by then-President Gerald Ford after Israel's refusal to withdraw from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Oren has since denied the remark.




Comments


when Americans "accidently" kill civilians in Iraq or Afganistan, it is called an accident. When the Israelis "accidently" kill civilians, after repeatedly warning them the bombs are coming, it's genocide?

Stelli      7:16 p.m. / Monday, March 22, 2010


Obamao is the first Marxist-Leninist President inculcated in Chomskyesque anti-American mythologies. He is the anti-president.

Aaron S.      4:47 p.m. / Monday, March 22, 2010


Israel and Israeli's are winners.

D. Grant Chee      4:39 p.m. / Sunday, March 21, 2010


A message to all you anti-semites on here: Proof that the Jews are still the apple of God's eye...they still exist, and are back in their homeland as predicted by the Bible! The prophesies regarding the Jews have either come true or are being set up now. Zech. 12, Ezk. 36-39, Is. 17, Psalm 83....all happening in recent times, just to name a few! They exist in spite of many wars where they were vastly out-numbered. They exist in spite of a world that wants them all killed, they exist in spite of biggots like you! The Pals are terrorist, Israel is a democracy; yet the world stands against the Jews...an irony that your hatred for Biblical truth wil never allow you to see. I don't expect you people to believe, but they will continue to exist, inspite of Obama.

Steve in USA      3:40 p.m. / Sunday, March 21, 2010


Mr. Jeepwonder, The U.N. Gaza report accused Israel of using children as human shields and raining White phosphorus on their heads. I agree the Jews don't send terrorists to blow up civilian public places because they use drones and F16s to do that on a much bigger scale.

Artie      10:28 a.m. / Sunday, March 21, 2010


Israel has been a catastrophe not only for Palestinians but is proving to be a terrible mistake for Jews - and a liability for Americans. Sold as a solution for anti-Semitism, the forceful transformation of a predominantly Arab Palestine into a Jewish state only spread the largely European virus of Jew-hatred to the Muslim world. And meant to provide security, Jews today are actually safer in Berlin and Tehran than in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem and Hebron. Simple truisim: occupation breeds resistance. Israel could have peace today by accepting the Arab League's repeated offer of "full peace for full withdrawal." Israel must choose between peace or occupation. It will never have both.

John Dirlik      10:18 a.m. / Sunday, March 21, 2010


Obama is a one term President, he has shown the US and the world how completely incompetent he is, whether you support Israel (which I strongly do, they are our true friends and the only democracy in the ME) or not. Obama may be book smart but he is as dumb as a door knob on everything else...God help us.

Andrew Beaudry      10:15 a.m. / Sunday, March 21, 2010


Hey, jeepwonder, perhaps this might help: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4333982.stm ; http://www.btselem.org/english/human_shields/20060720_human_shields_in_beit_hanun.asp ; http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1155800.html ; now, do any of those jog your memory about the IDF using human sheilds?

Oz Person      1:10 a.m. / Sunday, March 21, 2010


Paul, I don't remember Jews using children as human shields, or sending in suicide bombers to blow up in public places full of civilians. Did I miss something?

jeepwonder      5:54 p.m. / Saturday, March 20, 2010


Israel is run by a bunch of religious fanatics, and they have nuclear wepons and delivery capability. Israel is a dangerous country, and I like Obama and I cheer the public spanking Israel has received for its arrogant settlement behavior!

Paul      11:57:15 a.m. / Saturday, March 20, 2010


Israel will do it without any US support. God don't want any assistance from any other nation to bring glory to his name. When David, the litle boy, killed Goliath, the giant, no one assisted him but God. So go Israel go.

Edwin David      9:15 a.m. / Saturday, March 20, 2010


Israel will do it without any US support. God don't want any assistance from any other nation to bring glory to his name. When David, the litle boy, killed Goliath, the giant, no one assisted him but God. So go Israel go.

Edwin David      9:15 a.m. / Saturday, March 20, 2010


9/11 related to support of israel? REALLY??? Before 9/11, Bin Laden did not mention Israel even once. Only after seen reaction of the world (and some Muslims) and he tried to do some damage control, by referencing Israel. It was all because of the presence of US troops on Saudi Arabia, which they requested in the first place, because of the leader of Iraq. But let’s assume for a moment that this is true, and it had something to do with America’s support of Israel... Russia always supported Arab countries, and provided them with weapons. When was the last time you heard of Jews flying planes into Kremlin?? Civilized people don’t do those things, period. Also, let me ask you, did London bombings also happen because of support of Israel? Did Madrid train bombings happened because of Spain’s support of Israel?

Igor      11:07 p.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


The problem with Obama is that he doesnt want to offend the Islamic faith, the heck with the Jewish or Christian faiths or beliefs. I'm glad I didnt vote for him.

derrel      8:52 p.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


Spiritgirl you are silly and naive. Think critically for a moment. If Israel was intent on genocide, do you think there would be any Palestinians left on the west bank?. These hysterical assertions about Israeli intentions, indicate to me that you have a revisionist historical perspective based more on your political views than on objective reality. The Islamo/Left nexus has produced a stunning volume of material on the "truth" about Jews and Israel (e.g. Todays Jews are not the true Jews of the Bible, the presence of Jews in ancient Palestine is a bronze age myth, there was never a Jewish temple standing on the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Jews are murdering Palestinians and stealing their organs, ad naseum.) This crap is repeated over endlessly in the Arab media, then gets picked up by the hard left and amplified.

mark saichek      6:27 p.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


When Obama undermines Israel's security, he undermines our own. To think otherwise is naive. Step by step, this American Hater of a president is weakening those institutions that have made this country the greatest nation in the history of the world. We will have to fight soon to restore the republic.

boboskiwatnot      4:31 p.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


God has blessed our country for befriending His special people. He will not look kindly on us if we turn our backs on the only democratic nation in the Middle East. How can one such tiny nation be hated by so many people? The amount of land the Israelis own relative to the surrounding countries is comparable to a match book in the middle of a football field. Shame on anyone who thinks anything Obama does is good for our country.

JD      3:26 p.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


It's about time that some President takes a stand. Why must the US stand by as an overly aggressive Israel continues to commit genocide on the Palestinians, and then pretend to be an "honest negotiator" between the two parties?! It's time for people of good conscience to start divesting and boycotting Israeli goods.

Spiritgirl      2:52 p.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


The slimy religious degenerates threaten apocalypse if the U.S. does not support Israel's racist apartheid regime. The Likud and the psycho-settler religious lunatics will never agree to a two state solution. This clearly results in an apartheid situation. But not forever. Israeli militant fanatics obviously plan to kick the Palestinians out of the area, drive them into Jordan or anywhere else but the Palestinian homeland. The will of the American people will persevere. Israel must accept peace or lose American support.

will of the people      12:18 p.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


To those in support of Isreal I say amen. I was there the morning of our election results and saw the disbelief and concern in the faces of majority of Isrealis. I also saw the joy in the faces in the adversaries of the U.S. as well as those who oppose Isreal. Washington is not looking out for us or any other citizen. Our current healthcare bill and jobs bill attention is distracting so we dont see issues such as this. Keep your eyes open and your ears open.

john      12:18 p.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


When every nation surrounding Israel are Islamic regimes bent on destroying democracy, the only negotiations those regimes use, are to buy more time for their next genocidal attack. History, not hopeful expectation, must be the reasoning of the day. Obama is signing Israel's death warrant, and all the Jews of America voted for it. Very sad.

hollywoodron      11:56 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


Genesis 12:2-3 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Obama may have just shifted the United States into the cursed catagory by this action. We must support Israel!

Diane      11:41 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


On 9/11 a bunch of Muslims flew four commercial aircraft into the ground on US soil and we've been at war ever since. Nobody (who matters) questioned our sovereignty and our right to retaliate against those who attacked us. Likewise, Israel is a sovereign nation and they have a right to defend themselves. The Palestinians launch rockets into innocent Jewish homes on a daily basis. Israel is a lot more tolerant than we are, yet you members of the peanut gallery criticize them for wanting to defend their citizens. Never mind the bible for just a minute. Why on Earth would anyone expect them to roll over and allow these Palestinians to invade their country and kill their civilians at will? That war is about the Jews’ right to exist. It would be the same as a group of people coming into America and killing millions because they are black or white or red or believe there is a God or that there isn’t. We value our religious freedom and our ethnic diversity, yet you criticize the Jews for defending theirs.

gkhaber      11:25 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


ALFAGIRL: This is not a NEUTRAL decision. You will have to choose sides whether you like it or not because there will always be the tension between Palistine and Israel. I chose Israel. Which side do you choose?

Jean      11:22 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


Someone has to stop the non-stop violence and madness there. Stopping the influx of arms of destruction is an excellent, smart, effective and strategic step into creating a level playing field where steps can actually be made to achieve this goal. How does this attitude that US must be perpetually involved in stirring up and supporting non-stop aggression all over the world? Peace is *NOT* achieved by arming countries that are aggressive to the teeth and thus continuing the source of so much tension and turmoil. "Armageddon"? Seriously? What are you people smoking? We are in a sad state when people aren't capable of having a rational, nuanced discussion about world politics and keep dragging their totally subjective, irrational religious views into the discussion. And isn't that what always starts the trouble in the first place???

alfagirl      10:12 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


Maybe it is time for Israel to support the tea party movement in America. Maybe The Obama Administration WANTS to see war in the Mideast so the $7 a gallon gas can promote a green economy. And we can decrease the population of the World at the same time - especially all those US soldiers in the region who did not vote for Obama. Israel defend yourself- before the Obama Administration attacks you and we put troops in the WEST Bank.

Peter      10:01 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


Three of four Jews voted for this terrorist loving Muslim Obama. Do you know why? Because they hate American Christians more than they love Israel.

Bob A      9:59a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


It’s about time that a president had the fortitude to act in the interests of our country when dealing with issues related to Israel. As many people know, the attacks on our country on 9-11, 2001 were partially caused by our unrelenting support for Israel irrespective of its actions. Because of the many lobbies representing Israel’s interests in the U.S., I feel certain that Obama will be inundated with voices questioning his ‘loyalty’ to Israel and attempting to highlight our special relationship. Obama must be strong as he faces criticism from lobbyists and many of our own legislators who don’t want to relinquish the financial support they receive from pro-Israeli groups. If any other ally received the level of support (financial, military, etc.) from the USA similar to that received by Israel, and that country subsequently demonstrated actions that were counterproductive to our country’s well-being, as Israel has done, our government would have little tolerance for those actions. The same standards should apply to Israel. I want my president to put our country’s interests before those of any other nation. Stay resolved, Obama! You’re doing the right thing!

Deborah      4:07 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


At last an administration that shows some backbone and does the right thing.

JPence      3:40 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


If I were the Israelis and saw all the anti-Jewish racists aligned against the ONLY Jewish state in the world having to contend with the ravenous wolves of Islamofascists surrounding me, I'd say hell with the bunker busters let's just use our nukes. Once again AmeriKa under Barack Insane Obama kicks another former ally in the teeth.

Hankmeister      3:28 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


Thank God that the US has finally realized that it must stop sending yet more billions of dollars of munitions to Israel. In order to avoid a nuclear war in the Middle East, it is ESSENTIAL that Israel's secret nuclear arsenal is subject to inspection by the IAEA. We currently have the unacceptable situation of a Mediterranean state already possessing possibly the 3rd most powerful stockpile of nuclear warheads in the world, with the US supplying it with yet more weapons!

Eldoret      3:14 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


So, now we have a possible time limit based upon known maintenance and repair cycles of those systems the Israelis already have on hand. We've placed the Israelis in a 'use it or lose it' situation wrt the weapons systems they now have available. Current diplomatic and national security requirements of the US no longer match Israel's national security needs. Love them or hate them, and in view of the numerous in-force treaties throughout the region and throughout the Euro-Asian continent, Israel is not a nation that anyone wants to see with their backs against the wall.

Warren Bonesteel      3:01 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


When it comes to folding in the face of totalitarians and getting a few million Jews exterminated, it looks like Obama is neck and neck with Neville Chamberlain. Thing is, Chamberlain was a decent but naive man. Obama's stance vis-a-vis Israel is wilful. He's not sleepwalking into a Holocaust. He's actively encouraging it.

David Gillies      2:54 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


To "logic 101"~ My heart is saddened about this move by our government. I'm afraid that we are seeing prophesy played out right before our eyes. Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the protection of Israel. May God help us all. We have voted in a fox to watch over the hen house.

Sue Gallion      2:36 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


Saxon claims that Obama hates Israel. Perhaps, but not near as much as Israel hates Obama.

Duscany      2:02 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


Israel may have to 'go it alone,' but we'll all be in it together then, won't we...Shalom

gophergal      1:51 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


"If you are our enemy, we are sorry. If you are our friend, you are sorry." - Obama Administration

dmb      1:06 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


Is the President trying to start Armageddon? The last condition for armageddon in revelations is "when Jerusalem stands alone...".

logic 101      12:52 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


Obama hates Israel, America, Western Democracy, Capitalism, and freedom without government intervention. If you understand this, you understand Obama as well as his bizarre decisions.

Saxon      12:26 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010


Then I suggest that President Obama is forcing Israel to make a Nuclear FIRST STRIKE on Iran. Perhaps just a small nuke on Quom and their major and only gasoline refinery. Just a couple of tactical nukes would do just fine. Barak Hussein Obama is the absolute worst President in the history of the United States of America.

jgreene      12:22 a.m. / Friday, March 19, 2010

About Us     l    Contact Us     l    Geostrategy-Direct.com     l    East-Asia-Intel.com
Copyright © 2010    East West Services, Inc.    All rights reserved.