Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has agreed to significantly bolster
arms exports to Yemen.

The State Department approved a six-fold increase in weapons export
licenses to Yemen in fiscal 2011.

The department, which reported a record number of overall export licenses, is said to have approved $24.3 million in U.S. arms licenses for Sanaa last year as opposed to $4.1 million in 2010.

“This administration has worked hard to support the defense industry
abroad because it supports our national security and jobs here,” Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro said.

Officials said the sharp increase in arms sales stemmed from a
decision to export U.S. helicopters to Yemen. They said most of the
helicopters were not shipped because of the revolt against President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who resigned in February.

The State Department report also cited arms exports to Egypt in wake of
the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. The department
approved $114 million worth of arms export licenses to Cairo in 2011,
compared to $91 million during the previous fiscal year. Most of the
increase for Cairo constituted spare parts for F-16 fighter-jets and other
aircraft for the Egyptian Air Force.

In all, the State Department approved $44.3 billion in arms licenses
required for so-called Direct Commercial Sales through its Directorate of
Defense Trade Controls. This marked an increase of more than $10 billion
from 2010.

“Despite the global economic strains, this report shows the demand for
U.S. defense products and services has remained strong,” Shapiro said on
June 7.

  $24.3 million in U.S. arms licenses to Sanaa, Ali Abdullah Saleh, Andrew Shapiro, arms exports to Egypt, State Dept. approved six-fold increase in arms exports to Yemen