"People of all political stripes have come out against this deal,"
Rep. Anthony Weiner, a New York Democrat said. "It's mind-bogglingly bad policy because the Saudi's at every
turn have been uncooperative. The idea that we are going to reward the
Saudi's with precision weaponry is a stunningly bad idea, and clearly
deserves the full review of Congress."
Officials said prenotification of the Saudi arms deal was relayed to
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Nov. 13. They said Congress would consider the
Saudi deal during the brief period before the House and Senate's Christmas
recess.
"This week the Department of Defense provided Speaker Nancy Pelosi with
an informal notification of its intent to move forward with a proposed $20
billion sale of high technology armaments to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia,"
Weiner, said. "This notice clears the way
for formal notification to Congress from the Bush administration on or after
December 4 of this year, or just as the current Congressional session comes
to a close."
On Nov. 16, Weiner obtained signatures from Democrats and Republicans to
a letter that urged Bush to delay formal sale notification until at least
Jan. 15, 2008. The letter said the extension would grant Congress the 30
days stipulated by the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 to "thoroughly review
the sale."
Opponents of the Saudi arms deal have focused on the White House
agreement to sell the Joint Direct Attack Munitions. A letter signed by
nearly a third of the 535 members of Congress warned the administration that
the JDAM sale was dangerous to Israel.
Other components of the Saudi deal were expected to include the PAC-3
missile defense system or upgrades, the Littoral Combat Ship and advanced
aircraft systems. Officials said Riyad was considering the purchase of 12
LCS platforms.
In July 2007, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States
had begun negotiations with Riyad on a multi-billion-dollar arms sale
package. Officials said the package would provide Saudi Arabia with new
capabilities.