bushgang raking in the money selling our military stuff

[donsu]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GH04Df01.html



US salvoes across South Asia


Even as an authoritative report from an arm of the US government warned of a potential nuclear war in South Asia triggered by an "arms race" between India and Pakistan, the George W Bush administration is working hard to complete arms sales and transfers of astronomical proportions to the two nations.

-snip-

The report added that between 2003 and now, the US had given to Pakistan six C-130 military transport aircraft ($75 million grant); six Aerostat surveillance radars ($US155 million sale); 12 radars and 40 Bell transport helicopters ($300 million sale); military radio systems ($78 million sale).

Proposed sales include eight P-3C maritime reconnaissance aircraft, six Phalanx ship protection weapons systems and 2,000 TOW anti-tank missiles (worth up to $1.2 billion), and the recently proposed sale of 300 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and 60 Harpoon anti-ship missiles (worth $226 million).

Even the deals marked as "sale" may be partially or fully funded by the $1.5 billion annual US military assistance to Pakistan. It must be noted that apart from aid, the Pentagon's budget includes $100 million per month to be given to Pakistan as "compensation" for its "war on terror" efforts.

-snip-

(the gang is also giving Pakistan for free the Navy vessel USS Fletcher and they might sell to India the Austin-class Amphibious Transport Dock USS Trenton)


The Washington Post recently quoted Pentagon officials as saying that the US was considering the sale of the Aegis system and maritime patrol aircraft to India as a measure that would help Indian ships "monitor" China's activities in the Indian neighborhood and the strategic Malacca Strait. The contacts say that if India was willing to join up with the US-led global missile defense network, the Aegis was "there for India to buy". Given that sales of systems like the Aegis to India could provoke an apoplectic reaction in Islamabad, the US may be trying to soften up Pakistan by offering them goodies in advance, the reasoning goes
-snip-
--------------------------


"money makes the world go round, the world go round, the world go round"

remember that song?

money sure perks up the bushgang

[carnie_sf]

1. An American tradition

arm both sides so you can make money no matter who wins