U.S. Lawmakers Renew Opposition to U.S. Arms Sale to Saudi Arabia

[VOA News] Dan Robinson - A group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives is renewing objections to any sale of sophisticated U.S. precision-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia, with 51 Democrats and one Republican signing on so far to a resolution disapproving the proposed transaction. "Very often people we perceive as being our allies one day we arm and they turn out to be our enemies further down the road," said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY). "Repeatedly, and on and on, we have seen Saudi Arabia be the source of exporting more and more terrorism. At least 50% of the budget of Hamas comes from Saudi Arabia and [they have] funneled more than $4 billion to finance terrorism in the territories since 2000," he added. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) asked, "Will this arms sale increase democracy in the Middle East, will it increase democracy in Saudi Arabia? No. Will this arms sale increase the opportunity for the advancement of human rights in Saudi Arabia [and] in the broader Middle East? No. Will this arms sale increase stability in the Middle East, in the Gulf states? No."


2008-01-17 01:00:00

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