Sunday, March 04, 2007

The Gulf Arab region has become a paradise for Western arms manufacturers

Beating ploughshares into swords

The Arab Gulf is arming itself, but why, asks Ayman El-Amir

Gulf Arab states are going on a shopping spree for the purchase of sophisticated Western weaponry at an estimated cost of $60 billion.

A recent report in The New York Times, of which The Daily Telegraph had published another version two months earlier, said the lethal weapons order would include Apache attack helicopters, cruise missiles, Typhoon fighters and tanks, in addition to other war accessories. Saudi Arabia, which already has US-installed and operated Patriot anti- missile batteries, will reportedly spend $50 billion, representing the lion's share of the military package.

The UAE has earmarked almost $8 billion to buy fighter aircraft, missiles and other military materiel.

Other states vying for modern armament are Kuwait and Oman. And money is no problem.

The oil revenues of Middle Eastern producing countries in 2006 is estimated at more than $400 billion, based on an average price of $57 per barrel.

Suddenly, the Gulf Arab region has become a vendor's paradise for Western arms manufacturers. An arms race is accelerating in the region, with incalculable consequences.

The question is: for what purpose?



posted by Nadia @ 9:01 PM   3 comments

3 Comments:

At 4:59 AM, Blogger Anastasia said...

Nadia, in regards to your question about weather or not we'll be able to kick Bush out of office: It doesn't matter. An american president can only serve two four- year terms. Afternthat they can't run again. Bush's time is nearly up.

Furthermore, most Americans are of the mindset that anyone would be better than Bush. However, he is so widely hated that no one who seems to be in league with him, or anyone who seems to support almost anything he stands for stands a chance at being elected. He basically skrewed over his political party, too. Since everyone hates him, no one seems to be willing to vote Republican, either.

We recently had an election, and both houses of Congress are a Democratic majority. A few days after this election, the secretary of defense (the person in charge of the war, basically) resighned.

America sent the Bush Administration a pretty strong message.

 
At 5:02 AM, Blogger Anastasia said...

Also- I agree with you. Killing and weapons never make sense. The world seems so backwards to me.

 
At 9:36 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

saudi is spending billions of arms and fighter Jets , that it knows it is not going to use . it is just to keep france, UK and US happy to deal with them and to purchase oil from them and accept them with their violation of human rights etc...
Saudi and the rest of the Muslim world should spending on education on Scientific research , on health care, transport , creation of jobs to make a difference not fill their own pockets , bribe officials (BAE and Dove of corruption ) , starve their people from knowledge , people who find buying books is a luxury. we dont even have decent Libraries for god sake . what s wrong with these people Unfortunately the brave have died fighting the Occupiers (france, Britain , italy ) to leave it to corrupt ruthless DIctators and we dont seem to have other brave people to kick them out.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home