usa archives — Page 115 of 149

Most people 'want Iraq pull-out'

Posted on 07/09/2007 By 3arabawy

From the BBC…

Most people across the world believe US-led forces should withdraw from Iraq within a year, a BBC poll suggests.
Some 39% of people in 22 countries said troops should leave now, and 28% backed a gradual pull-out. Just 23% wanted them to stay until Iraq was safe.
In the US, one-in-four supported an immediate withdrawal, while 32% wanted Iraq’s security issues to be resolved before bringing the troops home.
The BBC World Service commissioned the survey of 23,193 people.

Click on the cartoon below to read the full report…

Hollywood star ‘wants US soldiers home’

Posted on 03/09/200714/01/2021 By 3arabawy

From the BBC:

Hollywood actress Charlize Theron, who is promoting her latest movie at the Venice Film Festival, has said she hopes US troops in Iraq can come home.
The 32-year-old stars in the film, In The Valley of Elah, based on the true story of a soldier who goes missing after serving in Iraq.
“Nothing would give me more joy than to see them back in America,” the Oscar-winning star said.
Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Sarandon play the missing soldier’s parents.
Theron said: “[The soldiers] are doing a very, very important job and it’s a dangerous one. Hopefully they can come back and be looked after, that’s the least we can do for them.”

US Congress notified of possible arms sales to Egypt and Israel

Posted on 27/08/200729/12/2020 By 3arabawy

From the Daily Star Egypt:

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a branch of the US Department of Defense, notified the US Congress Friday of potential arms sales with Egypt and Israel possibly worth a combined $1.5 billion.
According to the Agency’s official website, Egypt has requested kits for 125 M1A1 Abrams tanks — which Egypt co-produces — at a total cost of $847 million. The kits consist of weapons and armor upgrades (including enhancements of machine gun capabilities) and thermal viewers.
The US-Egypt co-production program in Abrams tanks was initiated in 1988. If the sale goes through, it would boost the program’s output from 880 to 1005 tanks, with the prime contractor being General Dynamics Corp.
To implement the sale if it goes through, 40 US contractors will be assigned to Egypt for up to two years. There are already six US government representatives in Egypt managing the M1A1 and M88A2 Hercules programs. They will also be involved in fielding and production aspects of the program.
As for Israel, the sale consists of 30 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, 500 AIM-9M Sidewinder air to air missiles, and 200 AMRAAM medium range air to air missiles, produced by Raytheon Co, in a deal potentially worth $334 million.
Additionally, the DSCA informed Congress that a $308 million possible sale was in the works for supplying Israel with 90 million gallons of JP-8 aviation fuel and 42 million gallons of diesel fuel for their ground forces.
By law, Congress must be notified of potential arms sales before it occurs. This does not mean that the sales have already been sanctioned. Congress has 30 days to repeal any of the arms deals.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced July 30 new military aid increases to Israel, Egypt and other Arab allies to “counter the negative influences” of Iran and Syria as well as groups such as Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda.
In August, Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns signed a memorandum of understanding on a new decade-long military aid package with Israel worth $30 billion.