Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States intends to resume weapons exports to
Bahrain.

The administration of President Barack Obama told Congress that
Washington would renew arms shipments to Bahrain. In a statement on May 11,
Congress was told that U.S. engines and ships would be delivered to
Bahrain’s military, coast guard and security forces.

“Bahrain is an important security partner and ally in a region facing
enormous challenges,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on
May 11. “Maintaining our and our partners’ ability to respond to these
challenges is a critical component of our commitment to Gulf security.”

The administration’s notification came after House and Senate members visited Bahrain and were briefed by the Sunni leadership. Officials said the administration as well as the congressional leadership agreed that Manama, despite human rights concerns, was facing an Iranian-backed Shi’ite revolt.

“We have made the decision to release additional items to Bahrain
mindful of the fact that there are a number of serious unresolved human rights issues that the government of Bahrain needs to address,” Ms. Nuland said.

The State Department did not identify military and security equipment that would be sent to Bahrain. But Ms. Nuland said the administration has decided to continue to withhold certain equipment blocked since October 2011, particularly the Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided, or
TOW, anti-tank guided missile as well as the Humvee combat vehicle.

“Certain additional items for the Bahrain Defense Force, as well as all
items for the Ministry of the Interior, excepting the Coast Guard and units
deployed in Afghanistan, will also remain on hold,” Ms. Nuland said. “The
items that we are releasing are not used for crowd control.”

Later, a senior administration official said Bahrain would receive an
engine upgrade for the kingdom’s F-16 multi-role fighter fleet. The official
said Washington would also deliver a naval frigate as well as harbor
security vessels to Manama.

Bahrain has hosted the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, a
key element in Washington’s security policy in the Gulf. Officials said the
administration as well as Congress agreed that Bahrain must receive U.S.
military and security aid amid daily attacks by Shi’ite insurgents, who have
targeted motorists around Manama.

“The U.S. maintains the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and backs
the kingdom firmly,” Rep. Dan Burton, an Indiana Republican who met Bahraini
leaders on May 11, said. “Some differences may emerge between both countries
from time to time, but I hope that long-term partnership and cooperation
will continue.”

  anti-tank guided missile, Barack Obama, Humvee combat vehicle, Rep. Dan Burton, Shi’ite revolt, U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet, U.S. resumes arms to Bahrian after consensus reached on Iran threat, Victoria Nuland