Kerry calls for probe of Pentagon sales

[sabra]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070118/ap_on_go_co/military_surplus_stings

Kerry calls for probe of Pentagon sales

WASHINGTON - Sen.
John Kerry on Thursday called for an investigation into security weaknesses in the Defense Department's surplus sales that have let buyers for Iran and China acquire aircraft parts and other valuable military gear.

The Massachusetts Democrat sought an inquiry by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after The Associated Press reported that in several instances middlemen for the countries had exploited security flaws to acquire sensitive surplus.

The surplus sales include parts for F-14 "Tomcat" fighter jets, a plane retired last year by the United States and now flown only by Iran. Iran bought the jets in the 1970s before the U.S. government banned most exports, including defense-related sales, to the Mideast country.

"There is no way that Iran should be getting these sensitive military parts, especially with the situation in the Mideast so turbulent," Kerry said.

[blm]

1. I think BushInc WANTS Iran to have the weapons capability so they can use it to cover

themselves.

Kerry said last summer to Dem audiences that Iran was five years away from any nuclear weapon capability. So, don't believe Bush when he tries to claim they are an urgent threat. Kerry said this country has over 4 years to concentrate on diplomatic pressures first before it gets anywhere near a military solution.

[wisteria]

3. Interesting. I had forgotten he had said that. So, the administration

may be looking the other way, while some line their pockets and do a favor for the administration too.
I hope this gets a lot more press. I want explanations from the White House, if only to see them squirm.

[lligrd]

12. Exactly: Sell It To Them So We Can Claim

We know they have them. Sound familiar?

[madrchsod]

2. reagan`s boys did it.....

so what`s the fuss? all the same guys then are now

[blm]

6. Here's an eyeopener article - bet the corpmedia will let this go undiscussed...

http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/IA20Ak01.html

[_dynamicdems]

11. The article is indeed eye-opening! Thanks for posting. n/t

[confludemocrat]

4. WTF is he talking about? Iran has never invaded anyone, but Kerry has,

and voted for other invasions. Iran is being threatened with Iraq-like devastation and if they seek to acquire the means to defend themselves, their hearths and homes, hospitals and infrastructure, then that's good. Of all the things this guy should be talking about, he decides to go with the warmongers to seem tough.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

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[brentspeak]

8. I think the real question is: WTF are YOU talking about?????

[babylonsister]

9. This:

and educating yourself is not a bad thing, especially if you like to voice your opinion.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1578188,00.html

The U.S. military has sold forbidden equipment at least a half-dozen times to middlemen for countries — including Iran and China ?? who exploited security flaws in the Defense Department's surplus auctions. The sales include fighter jet parts and missile components.

The surplus sales can operate like a supermarket for arms dealers.

"Right Item, Right Time, Right Place, Right Price, Every Time. Best Value Solutions for America's Warfighters," the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service says on its Web site, calling itself "the place to obtain original U.S. Government surplus property."

In that instance, a Pakistani arms broker convicted of exporting U.S. missile parts to Iran resumed business after his release from prison. He purchased Chinook helicopter engine parts for Iran from a U.S. company that had bought them in a Pentagon surplus sale. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, speaking on condition of anonymity, say those parts made it to Iran.

Federal investigators are increasingly anxious that Iran is within easy reach of a top priority on its shopping list: parts for the precious fleet of F-14 "Tomcat" fighter jets the United States let Iran buy in the 1970s when it was an ally.

more...

[karynnj]

18. Kerry is not a warmonger - I guess he invaded Vietnam,

but he really had no choice. Did you even read this story - he is not suggesting we invade any country. He is saying not to sell weapons to Iran and other countries that may misuse them.

[sam sarrha]

7. Investigated by whom... the Justice dept is now peopled by Republican campain workers and butthole

buddies of Rove

[karynnj]

17. Congress can investigate as well per their oversight role

Both houses and they are ours. What I don't know is which committee would have jurisdiction. But the Senator who heads the SFRC subcommittee covering Iran and the whole near east and middle east is John Kerry, who knows exactly how to run investigations. (good solid investigating, carefull accurate reports and no grandstanding)

[rosesaylavee]

10. Good.

Glad to see the investigations are starting on several fronts. The WH can't possibly hire enough lawyers to adequately cover their a**es. :kick:

[halobeam]

13. Anyone here who knows a lot about Kerry?

I understand he had a lot to do with investigating Iran/Contra... I'd love more info on that. I'm really inquiring about whether he's going to take the bull by the horns on this story and maybe whether he is investigating the Brewster Jennings nuclear proliferation aspect too.

Knowing the little I do about him, I would hope he is digging in.

[wisteria]

14. Pose this question in the John Kerry forum. I am sure someone would be happy to provide you with the

information. And yes, he was very much involved in investigating the Tran/Contra scandal.

[halobeam]

15. will do that.. thanks

:hi:

[IndianaGreen]

16. Don't stop at surplus arms sales, John!

A lot of contracts have been let out by the Pentagon that favor the big corporations at the expense of the American people.