so irtating ?

Why does Saudi Arabia need military aid?
The Saudis are getting $13bn.
How can they spend that?
Have Prada moved into tanks? By Mark Steel08/01/07 "The Independent" -- -- Here's something they sneaked out this week with hardly anyone noticing - the Americans have announced a "military aid package" of sixty billion dollars for their allies in the Middle East. Or, to be grammatically correct, sixty billion, that's sixty thousand million bastard dollars!!! How can they spend that? Have Prada moved into tanks? Maybe they now buy these things at fashion shows, where a commentator gasps: "Ooh, my, my!" as down the catwalk comes this exhilarating design for the very latest satellite-guided armour-penetrating missile modelled here by Kate Moss, designed, of course, by Stella McCartney, and "sure to be this summer's big bold hit when it comes to melting the Hizbollah".This is $250 for every living American, $10 for everyone on the planet. Are they taking each weapon out individually for a meal at the Ivy? And $13bn of this is for Saudi Arabia. Because if there's one family on this earth in need of financial aid, it's the Saudi royal family.
Who's getting the rest - the Bee Gees? Anyway, why do the Saudis need military aid at all? Their favourite weapon seems to be the stone. I suppose now if a woman commits adultery or speaks out of turn she'll be battered to death with a bloody great ruby instead.To get all this in perspective, after the G8 summit two years ago in Scotland, after the Make Poverty History march and concerts, a beaming Tony Blair announced a record-breaking global amount of aid of fifty billion dollars. This time they seem to be a bit more modest. No one came galloping out of the White House joyfully to explain that, after a whole week of negotiating, they've come up with more laser-guided firebombs than ever.But they shouldn't be so modest. Because a sign of how hard it is to come up with such sums can be seen from this year's G8 summit, when they admitted that instead of the $50bn they promised in Scotland, it was back to $25bn after all. So all those balloons, celebrations, smiley press conferences and declarations of a new start for Africa, were about the entire western world donating to an entire impoverished continent less than half of what one country has quietly coughed up in weapons for the Saudis, Egypt and Israel.They do it quietly because how many people would agree with these priorities? On Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, when Chris Tarrant asks: "What would you do with the money if you won a million pounds?", very few people say: "I'd buy some cluster bombs." How many people, if they were taken on a tour of the Middle East, through Gaza and the wreckage of Iraq and the slums of Cairo, would say: "I know what this place needs above all else - $60bn-worth of deadly weapons."How many people would support a charity record called "Death Aid", or a night of TV comedy called "Smiles for Missiles", in which Vernon Kay wandered through Angola grimacing: "This village hasn't had a landmine for over a month. Please, please, please, send your donation so they too can know what it's like to watch someone explode", followed by a special edition of A Question of Sport.One of the reasons given for the difficulty in providing aid to Africa is their leaders are corrupt, so there's every chance they'll swipe the money. So luckily, when it comes to Saudi Arabia they can rely on that country's rulers, who would never fiddle a billion dollars from British Aerospace or do illegal deals with, to pick someone at random, Jonathan Aitken.Maybe the complaint about corruption has been misunderstood and the Africans aren't doing enough of it. So the White House gets reports that say: "Some ministers in Malawi go a whole month with barely a single prostitute being procured by the arms companies - how can we possibly do business with such people?" And half this generous gift, $30bn-worth of arms, is being given to Israel. Surely the problem here is where will they put them all? They'll be like parents at Christmas when an over-generous grandparent delivers sacks full of presents, and you have to have a clearout of all the old stuff to make room. So if you want a cheap battleship, nip down to a charity shop in Hebron and you'll be able to pick one up for a score.But more weapons is the answer to everything. For example, a US defence report on global warming has concluded it could lead to global instability and mass migration, proving the necessity of acquiring more weapons to deal with this.If anyone from the Pentagon visits Moss Side or Peckham, they'll announce: "Hey, these places are in bad shape. So we've given everyone under 25 a pistol, a sword and a tank." If someone from the Pentagon ever worked as a chef, he'd taste the sauce and say: "Hmm, it needs something - basil, perhaps, or a sprinkle of fennel? I know, it needs a Stealth bomber."How does anyone get to see the world from the point of view of the Pentagon? Who would look around a world in which 5,000children a day die for lack of clean water and decide that can wait, but the weapons can't?But the biggest mystery is the official reason given for handing over this fortune to Egypt and Saudi Arabia - that, according to Zalmay Khalilzad, US ambassador to the United Nations, it's because "Saudi Arabia and others are not doing all they can to help us in Iraq". So they're rewarded like that. Well, I've done bugger all to help America in Iraq. Can I have a helicopter? © 2007 Independent News and Media Limited
http://comment.independent.co.uk/columnists_m_z/mark_steel/article2823071.ece


Humour is the necessary quality humanity brings to otherwise incomprehensible situations in order to remind ourselves of our humanity. Mark in your insightful article you cut to the nub of the issue. Our human desires and sense of empathy for others is being frustrated by the fear and death merchants.The litany of perversity, and callous actions enforced on the Earth's peoples by the nihilist profit-takers and their slaves the West's complicit politicians, denies human dignity.We do well to remind ourselves of this fact. Today we exist in a world of material and spiritual crisis.Is it necessary to sustain our future to murder millions of children, women and men in Eurasia to secure the last gas station in town?Gregfullmoon 08.01.07 - 1:53 pm #

Very good article.These kind of spenditure leaves us in Europe quite astonished .How in the world is it possible that people in the US are all accepting this.No healthcare for those who need it,no help for the Katrina-victims.Its all unbelievable to us.PaulG 08.01.07 - 2:21 pm #

This is a usual way of STEALING the wealth of other countries.The Persian gulf countries are to become the USA's mercenaries and not to be paid for it.In fact THEY will be paying for being mercenaries.The tools to achieve this,as we all know,is the FEAR.Terrorism too.Fear the Iranians,they get too strong.They might occupy you,or atempt REGIME CHANGE!!!You need to protect yourselves....(our interests)ibtheos 08.01.07 - 2:27 pm #

saudi arabia is given 4-class weapons compared to what israel receivesthe saudi gov. are among the worlds stupidest, most dense peopleonce the iraqi oil runs dry in 40 years, the zionist guns will be turend on riyadh, and the presence of a small number of conventional american weapons will justify a daisy cutter/moab/tomahawk/bunker busting/ cluster bomb cocktail partyevil 08.01.07 - 2:33 pm #

Isn't it odd how Mark Steel is not questioning the sizable military aid package offered to Israel - a country that has already been the beneficiary of most US military munificence - only that provided to Saudi? Is this because he somehow has come to the (unstated) conclusion that a nation that has been a parasite feeding on the US taxpayer for almost all of its existence is somehow more deserving?Sullivan 08.01.07 - 2:51 pm #

I like this bloke. Of course it's obscene how many weapons the US creates and passes out around the world. It's an opportunity for endless corruption on both sides of the exchange. People suffer and die so these monsters can reap billions in profits and bribes. The only thing the US can still export is instruments of death and worthless paper financial instruments including US bonds and the $. When the day of reckoning comes, the karmic payoff will be a bitch and rightly so.Cy Kottik 08.01.07 - 2:59 pm #

Saudi Arabia will eventually go down to as the citizens of that country cannot be held down by force. Eventually, the Saud family will be overthrown. Just a matter of time.Derek 08.01.07 - 3:08 pm #

Sullivan, you should re-read the item - quote - And half this generous gift, $30bn-worth of arms, is being given to Israel. Surely the problem here is where will they put them all? They'll be like parents at Christmas when an over-generous grandparent delivers sacks full of presents, and you have to have a clearout of all the old stuff to make room. So if you want a cheap battleship, nip down to a charity shop in Hebron and you'll be able to pick one up for a score.Chophoven 08.01.07 - 3:26 pm #

I guess our weapons mfgrs need to raise some quick cash for the upcoming smear campaign. they will soon have to make huge contributions, buy tons of Ads, buy phone block tidal waves, & probably pay a few very costly bribes so thier candidate can win. Also, it's a lot cheaper to dispose of the old weapons, by a sale than to pay someone to dismantle them.The people in the states where they are manufactured do not get layed off that way either and will vote for thier candidate. To tell the truth, I am rather surprised we were even told about it. (As these companies own most of the news media too). Of course one of the first things out of one commentor's mouth is not the wrongness of the sale - but that fact that we are selling more to Israel than to the Arab nations - His values tell him that two EQUAL wrongs will make a right (lot of those out there too) To my way of thinking we ought to stop selling weapons to everyone. And stop playing world policeman. So far it has made us a whole lot of hatred against ourselves. Many of those weapons will eventually fall into the wrong hands, and be used against US Soldiers.Brad 08.01.07 - 3:46 pm #

I am not sure who the hell Mark Steel is or what his game is.I know however that he is lying and pretending as though the US is giving Saudi Arabia a "gift" of 13 billion dollars when in fact, the Saudi's are purchasing 20 billion dollars worth of US weapons and NOT getting a freeking cent of that as a "gift". On the other hand, to make Israel amenable to this sale and to have them continue with their military superiority in the region, they are GIVING israel 30 billion dollars worth of sophisticated arms (that will NOT be sold to the Saudi's), over the next 10 years.Get your stories straight you racist bastard. Your indignation and "sense of humour" are rotting away in your plugged up elimination canal.Tiddlywinks 08.01.07 - 4:04 pm #

Good for you Sullivan! Israel gets $4,291 worth of high class weapons per citizen (and this includes the Arab 2nd class citians amongst them). After all, they have to replace all those land mines they scattered around southern Lebanon! Give those Israelis an even break, please!P.S. - If you think periodically feeding the hounds of war is unpatriotic, remember that it is really the Lockheeds and the Boeings who benefit from this largesse, not the fat Saudi princes or the inept Israeli generals that reap the profits. Support the munitions makers - improve our GDP! Onward!James Houle 08.01.07 - 4:35 pm #

And now this: The US government cannot account for 190 000 weapons issued to Iraqi security forces in 2004 and 2005, according to an investigation carried out by the Government Accountability Office... http://www.news24.com/News24/ Wor...2156907,00.html°kamo Homepage 08.01.07 - 4:49 pm #

Mark Steel's ," Why does Saudi Arabia need U.S. Military Aid" asks but does not answer this valid question.Guilt is the reason that the House of Saud needs this offering from the U.S.The United States blundered into the middle east with the bluster and bravado of a drag queen with a new pair of implants, ready for anything and armed to the teeth. One minor issue was , however, unresolved.......... What to do with a huge Shiite regime in Iraq when the United States is supposedly friends with the Sunnis and enemies of the Shiites, who have the balls to give the United States the handy nickname, "The Great Satan".The Great Satan is not exactly the kind of name you would give to a friend.Perhaps the U.S. was hoping to turn this avowed enemy into a new friend. This is an idea with some merit, but has a few sticking points which should be considered....The House Of Saud came out of the bag quickly with a press release that read something like. " we will not stand idle as the United States lets Shiite militias kill Sunnis in retribution for thier complicity in the regime of Saddam Hussein".While Hussein was certainly not on the good side of the Saudis, his people are Sunnis and so are the Saudis. The house of Saud then sees the U.S. propagation of a Shiite controlled nation as a slap in the face to Sunnis and a step up for Iran, a Shiite nation.Iran has done well in the war on terror despite the amped up rhetoric of the Bush administration against the Iranian development of nuclear energy fuel. Iran seems to be poised to have a new next door neighbor who has money, strategic location and a Shiite dominated government friendly to Iranian Shiites.The original goal of the U.S. to bomb the Iranian nation's enrichment facilities and start a protracted war with Iran and Syria has hit the back burner since the emergence of the "carrier killer" ordinance evidently poised to strike the U.S. fleet in the Gulf region .Mom always said, " If you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans". This big war plan if carried out as originally intended would have erased the Saudi concerns of a new Persian Empire.So, in retrospect we see that the new offering of weaponry to the Saudis has a duel purpose; Hedge against the Iranians and their new Shiite dominated neighbor's powerful alliance and also give the Saudis the feeling of security against their own people who must be boiling in their own sweat thinking about the U.S. as the originator of a new Persian Empire while supposedly being the best western friend of Saudi Arabia.Mark Steel has hit the jackpot in accessing the United States mindset of solving every problen with implements of destruction. This is what the U.S. does best... fight, start fights and watch others fight. Nice reputation ,yes???? I think not.Losing the war in Iraq, send in more troops.....Felling badly about being the worlds lone bully; watch Isreal bomb Lebanon..... Feeling insecure about Isreals genocide in Palestine,... start trouble between Hamas and The PLO.Meddling in others affairs is the work of a busybody who hates to see anybody do well who is not a friend of Isreal or the United States. This is called paranoia. Schitzophrenia can be seen in the United States alter ego which lets Osama Bin Laden run rough shod over Pakistan while the U.S and Isreal start wars in Iraq and Palestine. The U.S.A is sick and in need of psychiatric evaluation and some powerful anti-psychotic medication. Who will volunteer to rectify this insidious disease in the Halls of United States government?The citizens of the United States love their guns, and so do the Isrealis. I hear that Isreali are in the habit of packing heat in their daily trips to market and elswhere. The Christian Right in the U.S. is the face of the Gun Lobby and votes yes to handguns for personal use and no to any limits of how many guns one can by in any given month. This is a picture of people who are nuts about guns and deathly afraid to deal with their problems in any substantive means save for the use of violence.We can't turn back the clock and do it all over again. We are in this bad spot and have to deal with it.The Russian leader, Putin, has seen this before and knows an arms race coming when he sees it, and has boldly spoken of his chagrin over this new foray of the U.S. and Isreal into the escalation of arms proliferation.We have a non proliferation agreement which is being wildly broken by the U.S with no end in sight.With Americans and Isrealis in favor, by a broad majority of peaceful resolution of conflicts , given the weak showing of the war on terror, what is driving this new arms race?Isreal is the answer in some wise, in their incessant need for greater security ,while Saudi Arabia is the answer in otherwise in their need to placate their masses who are silently hating their nations indebtedness to the U.S. for military protection. Iran is another cog in the wheel of the arms race with their development of uranium enrichment facilities.China is the inventor and manufacturer of the stratospheric nightmare for aircraft carriers of the United States has has , hands down, the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. The G8 and EU have enough nukes to hold their hand if trouble starts , but who has the best voice for peace??????Everyone seems quite ready to make war , but who is ready to make peace.??????? Who? IAMGod is ready for peace to reign in his creation. Jesus is for peace. Ghandi wanted peace. The Dalai Lama wants peace.Atheists want peace. Unitarian Universalists want peace. Jehova's witnesses want peace. Messianic Jews want peace.Why is everybody ignoring these people and spititual forces who want peace?It is enough to make God cry to see all of the workers of weapons and war ignoring every effort for peace and selling guns instead of farming equiptment which runs on solar energy and biofuels.God is asking for a little support for his energy reform and land management initiatives which lead our planet in the direction of permaculture and cooperative efforts to feed and house the poor. Why isn't anybody in the big seats of government listening to God's plans. Are YOU mocking God?????? I hope not!jerry gates 08.01.07 - 5:32 pm #

...which means that a lucrative contract, complete with associated payoffs, gravy skimmings, overpricings, lobbiests payoffs, payroll ghosts and black bag money will be let to replace these 190,000 missing weapons.Peace to ALL (enjoy it while U got it).Thank you.Ironhead Homepage 08.01.07 - 5:36 pm #

...only this time the replacement cost will be 38,400,000,000.00 US Dollars.Let's work harder O US Taxpayers for it will cost $126.67 for every man woman and child in the good 'ol USA.Peace to ALL (after the US goes broke and can't afford to saturate the earth with weapons anymore).Thank you.Ironhead Homepage 08.01.07 - 5:47 pm #

The house of Saud will topple soon.. So it has been written.. So it shall be done..Mark of the beast is upon them.Fran Ward Homepage 08.01.07 - 5:49 pm #

The House of Bush will topple soon... So it has been written (by me)... So shall it be done.The Mark of the Beast (W) (stands for WEASLE) is upon them (us).Peace to ALL (after the fall).Thank you.Ironhead Homepage 08.01.07 - 5:52 pm #

," Why does Saudi Arabia need U.S. Military Aid" It needs it to keep its corrupt and puppet Kings on their shaky throwns.The Military aid is probably to keep civialians in fear and to prevent an uprising to unthrow these corrupt,immoral and paedophile Kings in their corrupt places.YUCK.YUCK.anonymous 08.01.07 - 5:53 pm #

questions,questions....what a hell do you expect from an idiot prezident,a himmler style vice-prezident and a dick-less condy ejaculating each time a dicky male closing on her virginpussy during a foreign issue ditirambedelivered anywere between jew york and jewrusalem...herr obergefreiter 08.01.07 - 6:05 pm #

not only does Saudi Arabia and Israel need financial help to buy arms but also the arms merchants need this assistance too. Do you really think they will be left out of this, the worlds oldest profession? Think again folks.jerryko Homepage 08.01.07 - 6:14 pm #

Saudi Arabia will eventually go down to as the citizens of that country cannot be held down by force. Eventually, the Saud family will be overthrown. Just a matter of time.Derek Right on Derek. We know the mendous operandi of the US when it comes to the ME. They offer the Saudis their help because they sense something very seirous is under the rug. They are afraid that the Saudi family might be overthrown anytime now.Justice 08.01.07 - 6:22 pm #

Everyone in the news media is reporting about the arm deal between the Americans and the Saudis as a charity from the Americans to the poor people of the Middle East. If you pay attention to the Economics of the transaction. It is the other way around. It is in fact a charity from the Saudis to US corporate economy. It is 20 Billions of useless Dollars off the books of the US treasury in exchange of some rusty toys. The Saudis, the Chineese and others are sitting on mountains of worthless money. This deal is a way for the Saudis to extend the life of the Dollar while they are liquidating it quietly. They are just cutting their losses.khalid 08.01.07 - 6:50 pm #

Khalid,A very good observation...thank you.Peace to ALL (eventually)Thank you.Ironhead Homepage 08.01.07 - 7:28 pm #

Good point, Khalid. This 'aid' is just an act of desperation, and will probably make things worse.On one side they talk about peace adn then they throw more weapons into the Middle East tinderbox.Paul 08.01.07 - 7:34 pm #

Khalid,Yes, I agree.........a very insightfulobservation. The original analysis did not sound right to me. The Saudis do not need financial help.Growing up in the fifties, this is almost more than my brain can handle.There has to be a "Beast" involved here because it is more than anyone or government, nation, or nations canconceive of and act upon.Peace to ALL and Pray, PRAY!Janice A. Henry Homepage 08.01.07 - 7:45 pm #

KhalidWhen the family of the House of Saud are finally overthrown these 'toys' will no doubt be turned upon their makers.°T.P.Seale 08.01.07 - 8:09 pm #

Did I see last week a report about Saudi Arabia funneling weapons to the "Insurgrunts" in Iraq?Fran Ward Homepage 08.01.07 - 8:14 pm #

It seems larger contributions to Republican campaigns are needed from weapons manufacturers. Perhaps they had been counting on weapons being used to invade and destroy Iran. The money from Saudi Arabia may abe needed until the Cheney-Bush goons can pull-off the savage destruction of another nation of innocent people.Steve 08.01.07 - 8:23 pm #

The USA is arming the orld for Armegeddon. On top of that, no one seems to take notice of the 30 Billion Dollars for Israel , for the next ten years, on top of the 5 Billion annual extortion money that we taxpayers must cough up to Israel. When will enough people give pissed off enough to actually take to the streets?...When martial law is imposed, and the USA turns into a 3rd World Nation?...Anonymous 08.01.07 - 9:00 pm #

The USA is arming the World for Armegeddon. On top of that, no one seems to take notice of the 30 Billion Dollars for Israel , for the next ten years, on top of the 5 Billion annual extortion money that we taxpayers must cough up to Israel. When will enough people give pissed off enough to actually take to the streets?...When martial law is imposed, and the USA turns into a 3rd World Nation?...Tony Soldo Homepage 08.01.07 - 9:02 pm #

Khalid,there is one more pint inthis puzle is the prducer of suny-shiet within Iraq wanta to extend out site nebouring countries Iran, syria, Turky soudi....insted of directly fighting with Iran. Bases are loade just watch ball and enjoy while you can. still peace and harmony among nrighbour amd the nation is the only way.when you are travelling in India in city one may have notice " Live and let Live on both side of cows. soone or later people have to come to this realization.love and peace to alll patel 08.01.07 - 9:16 pm #

T.p.Seale is your entyear life just sitting on the internet just reading silly articles and making boring comments perhaps you should get a lifemarigo69 08.01.07 - 9:21 pm #

It's part of a long running racket involving Western countries, their arms dealers and Saudi dictator-famillies. The Saudi dictators agree to purchase second rate military gear they do not need for a fortune, they get payouts (bribes) in return so they can continue to enjoy an opulent lifestyle, US arms dealers are happy which makes US politicians happy, the ones who get screwed are the Saudi people whoe should be benefitting from a resource that is the rightful heritage of each and every one of them and not just the fat dictator-playboy and his clan. Bottom line is, Saudi pop is only 27 million, with their oil they should be the richest country on Earth, instead Norway is - because Norway invests it's oil revenues wisely. This is the first example i have heard of aid to Saudi Arabia, are u sure it is aid and not just permission to buy a new range of US military stock? If it is aid it makes the sucker punch even more outrageous only this time US taxpayers would be the clowns - giving billions in aid to oil rich dictatorships, more corporate welfare for firms closely allied with the Bush administration.kep 08.01.07 - 9:40 pm #

marigo69 08.01.07 - 9:21 pmJust maybe you ought to have a lobotomy...T P Seale has contributed a lot with his passion and zeal..And a lot of people like what he has to say, so please bugger off....Richard 08.01.07 - 9:52 pm #

It seems that the administration is already exhausted of ideas in dealing with conflict in peaceful means.To me, this is the start of the falling empire. Historically, when an empire starts to use force as a means to secure its power -it means that, it is booking an automatic choice for it to finish itself at ground zero.There is no doubt that according to what America is headed, its existence as a super power is diminishing with time.There is no way that it can re-construct itself the way it was considering the amount of money it generated in the recent wars to its detriment in economic terms. The huge deficit that it has is a sign of decaying empire. It is inevitable that its days are numbered.Big Man 08.01.07 - 9:56 pm #

Dear IRS,Would it be possible to get a discount on tax dollars I pay that go toward weapons gifts to Israel, Saudi, and the other policy compliant foreign poodle government killer's that my president chooses after conversations with "the higher power"?Perhap's I could arrange a direct deposit through my employer into Boeing's, Cheney's, or Lockheed Martin's account? After all it's getting harder and harder to keep up with the cost of living these days while you and your boss run me and the country into the ground in order to boost your retirement portfolio's for your rich pals who want it all. Just wondering?Angel Gabriel 08.01.07 - 10:01 pm #

RichardThankyou Richard, only please don't waste your time with this child marigo69. It spends it's time 'just sitting on the internet merely making silly immature comments' as evidenced on other threads.°T.P.Seale 08.01.07 - 10:08 pm #

The Guns And Champagne Economy$60 billion in new, waaaay overpriced arms (it’s the only thing the US still actually manufactures…sort of) they’re pumping into the middle-eastern maelstrom in an insane escalation by arming this area to the teeth. Any body notice Secretary of the Treasury Paulson has said the US has to increase debt again, $9 Trillion presently. So start up the M3 printing presses forthwith, Dear Leader’s base, the military industrial complex needs a fix. In addition any countries, China, Japan, etc. that buy US Treasury notes are supporting this War on Terra by a thinly veiled excuse.Meanwhile Back to the Iraqi meat grinder: “House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha said he thought next year's war tab would rise by tens of billions: "I think they (the administration) will need $30 billion to $40 billion more" than the $141.7 billion request, he told reporters outside the House chamber.”So they will need $170-180 billion according to Murtha. I say $200 billion since these estimates haven’t been close yet.Wouldn't You Like To Know? 08.01.07 - 10:09 pm #

More "defense" spending while the infrastructure of this country is falling apart. Wonder how long folks will have find another route since those bridges collapsed.Ah, but give the Saudi's and the Israeli's a gift from the taxpaying sheeples--who obviously aren't paying any attention.I've been wondering how did the cold war spending go through with nary a peep? That was prior to media deregulation. Was everybody asleep?stetchedmind 08.01.07 - 10:16 pm #

Khalid,Let's take your reasoning one step further, how about also making israels supposed enemies (namely the arabs) pay for US military support to the zionist state.moklam 08.01.07 - 10:17 pm #

no amount of military aid or military spending will keep the house of Saud from being overthrown one day by its own population .remember the Shah? Iran under this guy had the 3rd Air Force or 3rd armored corp in the world i can't remember but it didn't matter, tanks or fighter plane did not stop a (well, loony one must say) cleric with a cassette tape recorderkhiem 08.01.07 - 11:39 pm #

Don't believe for a second that the U.S. is 'giving' the Saudis anything for free.Whether it's a variation on the Iraki theme of 'Oil for food' or 'Oil for arms' it all makes good business sense.The opportunity to replace old gear from the U.S's arms warehouses to make space for newer more effective weaponry is good housekeeping and an intelligent investment.Several years ago the U.S. gave Mexico a number of brand new tractors. After a while the farmers became so reliant upon them they virtually lost their old hand skills. Now working tractors are great but over time spare parts are required and as any automobile owner knows this is where the manufactures really make a killing.As for the Saudis themselves, it was probably a combination of bullying and pragmatism or as khalid pointed out in his [08.01.07 - 6:50 pm] comment: "It is 20 Billions of useless Dollars off the books of the US treasury in exchange of some rusty toys... (and) they are just cutting their losses."°T.P.Seale 08.01.07 - 11:48 pm #

Saudi Arabia funnels weapons to the Sunni "insurgents" in Iraq, and of course the Bush-Cheney Crime Syndicate blames Iran, and Joe LIEberman repeats over and over again that Iran is "killing American soldiers" by supplying weapons in Iraq. I didn't know Iran, a Shi'ite country, was supplying weapons to Iraqi Sunnis to kill the Shi'ites who are in control now. Gee, that makes sooo much sense doesn't it. Leave it to the U.S. government to make up whoppers like that, and people go along with the lie and pretend to believe it, as usual.giggling_murderer_Bush Homepage 08.02.07 - 12:32 am #

Dishing out $60 billion in military aid to Saudi Arabia = keeping defense contractors and arms manufacturers happy. That's what Bush & Co are for -- keeping Corporate America happy, busy and profitable.outsider 08.02.07 - 12:42 am #

Arming the Saudis afresh (plus Egyptians and Israelis) has all the whiff of buying them off to allow for an attack on Iran -- most of the munitions going to the Saudis are actually for the Gulf States too -- and mostly defensive stuff to counter missiles. From whom, if not from Iran? And why from Iran? What else would you expect Iran to do when attacked by Israel or the U.S.?Neil Godfrey Homepage 08.02.07 - 1:01 am #

This was a good article judging by the responses. I asked myself are my views on the countries mentioned:The US has the potential to do so much good but its current leader is a disater. He is fighting with Russia, China and Europe. He ignores South America, Far East (except China) and Africa. He is not only running his own wars in the Middle East but he is also supplying weapons to Israel and Saudi. These wars help his Oil buddies and his friends in Military Manufacture.Israel did a great job on me. I remember thinking in the 60s and 70s how wonderful it was that such a small democratic and liberal country could knock the shit out of those bad people. We are in a new century and the fascist and apartheid state of Israel is still knocking the shit out of the same people. The joke is that the US is paying for it.Saudi is not a close friend of the US. It is a dictatorship and the current leadership do not have the right to rule. Maybe the US is working on a long term plan to introduce democracy. We should not forget that the Saudi rulers are very good friends of the Bush family. It is no wonder that so many terrorists come from this country.Most of world is used to plundering Africa. THe Arabs, Europe and the US used it for free labour. The Europeans extracted as much raw materials at the lowest price. The Chinese are following a similiar course. Is it any wonder that corruption is seen as a way forward. The Africans leaders need to get with it. In Europe and the US we call the corruption money consultancy fees, agents commission, licensing fees, director fees. We funnel this money through nice banks, well organised companies and off shore countries. We sometimes report it and call it earnings and profit. We have it audited and this is the final stamp of approval. We declare it to the tax authorities but invariably do not pay tax, that is for the workers. Our African friends need to embrace the corporate culture and use it in the same way as their European and US counterparts. The Europeans and the US will even pay them to set up the system, its called corporate governance.I am lucky, I have a friend in Africa named Solomon. I am trying to help Solomon and his village. The village suffers from all the problems we would expect from a poor African country. Solomon is a good man. It would be good for all of us if we had a few more people like Solomon in the US, Europe, Israel and Saudi.Paul Macdonald 08.02.07 - 1:26 am #

I can see no possible problem in American Taxpayers giving 70 thousand million dollars or so to the Saudi Arabians, the Egyptians and the Israelis to buy more guns, rockets, crappy planes they never fly anyway and rifles they can't shoot.It's not like we need the money here at home to educate our children or get them some medical attention. Nah..we're fine.. We should just keep doling out tons of money to superstious Arseholes so they can keep binging away at each other over the same piece of sand that Jehovah or Allah or God Or the Tooth fairy or Santy promised their idiot grandparents and great grandparents etcetc.Or acknowledge the truth, which is none of the leaders of these loons actually beleive the shite they talk and are simply crafty bastards releiving us of our cash.Aided and abetted,as all the good cop shows say, by our rulers.shayoshay Homepage 08.02.07 - 2:18 am #