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Friday, November 5, 2010     INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING

Congressional letter questions administration's $60 billion deal with Saudis

WASHINGTON — Congress has begun to question a White House plan to sell $60 billion worth of aircraft and missiles to Saudi Arabia.

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Democrats and Republicans have drafted and circulated a letter that sought explanations from the administration of President Barack Obama for the proposed U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia. In October 2010, the Defense Department notified Congress of a Saudi request worth $60 billion for hundreds of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, Middle East Newsline reported.

"We are concerned over the potential repercussions for our friends and for our own forces in the region in the event of political change in Saudi Arabia," the letter said.


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The letter, circulated by Rep. Howard Berman and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, raised questions of the Saudi deal to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The letter, which did not oppose the sale, also expressed doubt over the Saudi role in the Arab-Israeli peace process as well as the kingdom's stability.

"We have serious concerns about the nature of Saudi involvement in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, particularly since the Saudis have failed to take steps toward normalization of relations with Israel or to augment their financial support to the Palestinian Authority," the letter, dated Oct. 29, said.

Berman and Ros-Lehtinen are expected to remain leading House members involved in foreign policy when the new Congress is seated in January. Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican, is expected to replace Berman as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Congress, which returns on Nov. 15, has until Nov. 20 to block the Saudi request. The letter also expressed concern that the 84 F-15 fighter-jets as well as 132 AH-64D and S-70 helicopters would undermine Israel's military superiority in the region.

Officials have dismissed the prospect that Congress would block the Saudi arms deal. They cited the prospect that the U.S. sale, led by Boeing, would galvanize the aerospace and defense industry.



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