US, Bahrain in talks on $53mn arms deal
\nFri Sep 16, 2011 11:18PM GMT<\/p>\n
The United States and Bahrain are currently discussing a deal, which, if it goes through, would see the US sell the Persian Gulf kingdom $53 million of military equipment, according to a recent report.<\/p>\n
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which is part of the US Department of Defense, has notified the Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the government of Bahrain, the German defense news website defpro.com reported on Thursday.<\/p>\n
DSCA provides financial and technical assistance, transfer of defense materials, training, and services to US allies, and promotes military-to-military contracts.<\/p>\n
Bahrain is seeking to purchase armored high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles, TOW missiles and associated equipment, and training and logistical support from the US military.<\/p>\n
Reports estimate the total cost of the deal, which still needs to get congressional approval, to be over $53 million.<\/p>\n
In February, Manama began a harsh crackdown on Bahraini citizens calling for an end to the absolute monarchy at anti-government demonstrations.<\/p>\n
Human rights groups say the United States, Britain, and other Western countries are supplying arms to the Bahraini regime.<\/p>\n
The US is selling arms to Bahrain despite the fact that scores of people have been killed and many more arrested and tortured in prisons in the Saudi-backed crackdown on protests in Bahrain — a longtime ally of the US and home to a huge military base of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.<\/p>\n
Bahraini forces have abducted many people, including opposition activists, journalists, teachers, students, doctors, and nurses, and have also destroyed dozens of mosques.<\/p>\n
Human rights groups and the families of protesters arrested during the crackdown say that most detainees have been physically and psychologically abused. …source<\/a><\/p>\n