Letter to George W. Bush, President of the United States

Letter

Letter to George W. Bush, President of the United States

Kirk, Carney Circulate Bipartisan Letter to President Requiring Assurances on Smart Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia

Demand certification to Congress that satellite-guided bombs that may be sold to Saudi Arabia cannot be used against U.S. forces or Israel

WASHINGTON - U.S. Reps. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Christopher P. Carney (D-Penn.) today launched a bipartisan effort to make congressional approval of a proposed arms sale to Saudi Arabia dependent on the President's written certification to Congress that smart weapons sold to the Saudis could never be used against U.S. or allied forces in the region.

According to media reports, the $20 billion arms package may include Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) packages, which transform unguided conventional bombs into precision munitions.

"If JDAM technology falls into the wrong hands, it could significantly harm U.S. forces in the region and undercut Israel's qualitative military edge," the Kirk-Carney letter says. "Any sale of JDAM technology to Saudi Arabia must come with guarantees backed by strict conditions notified to Congress followed by regular reporting, tight Congressional oversight and intense consultations with our ally Israel."

While Saudi Arabia remains in a formal state of war with Israel, the Administration said the arms sale is part of strategic effort to counter the growing regional threat posed by Iran.

"We understand the grave threat posed to the United States, Europe, Israel, Turkey and others by the emergence of a nuclear Iran with ballistic missile capability," the letter continues. "However, the Administration must guarantee to Congress' satisfaction that selling JDAMs to Saudi Arabia will not harm U.S. forces or our democratic ally Israel. Without such assurances, we will oppose the sale."

Kirk and Carney's effort is backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and is being circulated to Members of Congress for signature. A copy of the letter is below.

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C.

Mr. President:
We are writing to express serious concerns over the administration's plan to sell Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) technology to Saudi Arabia without solid assurances that such weapons cannot be used against American or allied forces.
JDAM technology transforms unguided conventional bombs into precision munitions with highly accurate targeting capabilities. If it falls into the wrong hands, JDAM technology could significantly harm U.S. forces in the region and undercut Israel's qualitative military edge.

Saudi Arabia remains in a formal state of war with Israel—the preeminent democracy in the Middle East. Additionally, Saudi groups continue to export Wahabi extremist ideology throughout the world—an anti-American ideology we face on the battlefields of the Global War on Terror.

Any sale of JDAM technology to Saudi Arabia must come with guarantees backed by strict conditions notified to Congress followed by regular reporting, tight Congressional oversight and intense consultations with our ally Israel.

We understand the grave threat posed to the United States, Europe, Israel, Turkey and others by the emergence of a nuclear Iran with ballistic missile capability. We also know that a more stable, secure Gulf Region advances the interests of the United States and our allies.

However, the administration must guarantee to Congress' satisfaction that selling JDAMs to Saudi Arabia will not harm U.S. forces or our democratic ally Israel. Without such assurances, we will oppose the sale.

We look forward to working with you to counter the Iranian threat in a way which maintains our national security and the long-term safety of our democratic allies.

Sincerely,

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