Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Congress, amid plans to deliver F-16 fighter-jets, has
been debating whether to suspend major U.S. arms shipments to Egypt in wake
of its military coup.

[ See also: White House did not call Mubarak’s ouster a coup, still backs Muslim Brotherhood ]

Congressional sources said key House and Senate committees have been
examining the feasibility of suspending the shipment of fighter-jets, main
battle tanks and other combat platforms to Egypt in 2013.

The sources said several of the committee chairpersons have concluded that a suspension would press the Egyptian military to hold presidential elections that could include the ousted Muslim Brotherhood.

“I support suspending aid until a number of things happen,” Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Sen. Carl Levin said.

Egypt receives $1.5 billion in annual U.S. aid, close to 90 percent of which is military assistance. The sources said a key question was whether Congress should block the delivery of the F-16 Block 50 multi-role fighter as well as the M1A1 MBT over the next few weeks.

In a briefing on July 9, Levin said the Egyptian military must set a date for elections as well as work to draft a new constitution. His call was echoed by other senior Senate Democrats, including Senate Intelligence Committee chairwoman Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

“I think the United States very much needs to be reassured that
elections matter in that country,” Ms. Feinstein said. “And, if that were to
be the case, I think that aid should be continued, if another election is
held.”

Already, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has received from the
administration of President Barack Obama a schedule of F-16 and other
military deliveries to Egypt in 2013. The sources said the committee was
trying to determine what if any shipments should be delayed.

Egypt has received at least four of 20 F-16C/D aircraft ordered from
Lockheed Martin. The sources said the Pentagon intends to send another four
F-16s to Egypt by mid-August and eight more by December.

“At this point, there are no plans to suspend the deliveries,” a
congressional staffer said.

The Pentagon has acknowledged forthcoming weapons delivery dates for
Egypt. But officials said an immediate decision was not required.

“A determination is not necessarily urgent and we have some time to look
at all facets and to reach the appropriate determinations,” Pentagon
spokesman George Little said.

  F-16 Block 50 multi-role fighters, Key Senate Democrats favor suspending arms shipments to Egypt, Mohammed Morsi, Muslim Brotherhood, Sen. Carl Levin, Sen. Dianne Feinstein