Daily Alert Archives

Congressmen Seek Guarantees on "Smart" Weapons for Saudis

[JTA] U.S. Reps. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Christopher Carney (D-Pa.) are circulating a letter in Congress that would make the $20 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia dependent on the president's written certification that certain "smart" weapons would never be used against the U.S. or its allies in the Middle East. The arms sale may include Joint Direct Attack Munitions, which turn unguided bombs into precision instruments. "If JDAM technology falls into the wrong hands, it could significantly harm U.S. forces in the region and undercut Israel's qualitative military edge," the letter says. "Any sale of JDAM technology to Saudi Arabia must come with guarantees backed by strict conditions notified to Congress followed by regular reporting, tight Congressional oversight and intense consultations with our ally Israel."
2007-10-10 01:00:00
Full Article