Representatives Anthony Weiner and Jerrold Nadler announced that they are introducing legislation to block a $20 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. The Sun reports the pair stood in front of the Saudi Consulate, questioning the logic of the Bush administration's plan. Nadler said, "The folly of this arms deal is beyond belief. Saudi Arabia is the no. 1 exporter of terrorism in the world today."
Supporters of the deal, which includes advanced weaponry, "say it will strengthen the country's military in the face of a growing Iranian threat," according to the AP. Weiner pointed out that 15 of the 19 hijackers on September 11 were Saudi citizens, and added, "We are going to be fighting very hard to make sure Congress rejects this idea and that these sophisticated armaments don't go to the part of the world where we only have one friend, and frankly, that's Israel."
However, a Georgetown professor of Arab politics, Samer Shehata, told the Sun chances of the bill being blocked were slim: "It's $20 billion. The arms industry is a major industry. Lots of people make money from this." And Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he understands the deal but expects more aid from the U.S. because an "explicit promise was given that Israel's qualitative military edge over the Arab states will be ensured."
