Kerry calls for probe of Pentagon sales - Iran and China acquiring aircraft parts and military gear.

[Kadie]

Kerry calls for probe of Pentagon sales
By SHARON THEIMER, Associated Press Writer
4 minutes ago


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.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070118/ap_on_go_co/military_surplus_stings_2

[derby378]

1. They were KO's "Worst Person In The World" on Tuesday

No wonder.