Saudi arms deal threatened over oil prices

OIL THREAT: Democratic senators, including New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, pictured, say they will block a major arms deal unless Saudi agrees to increase production. (AFP)

A group of Democratic Senators Tuesday threatened to block a multi-million dollar US arms deal with Saudi Arabia, unless the kingdom ups oil production and helps cut soaring gasoline prices.

The Senators introduced a resolution of disapproval on the arms sale, as President George W. Bush prepared to head for Saudi Arabia, partly on a mission to contain runaway oil prices.

"We are saying to the Saudis that, if you don't help us, why should we be helping you?" said New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer.

"We are saying that we need real relief, and we need it quickly. You need our arms, but we need you to cooperate and not strangle American consumers."

The resolution, expected to be fast-tracked to the Senate floor, would prohibit the mammoth arms sale unless Saudi Arabia agrees to increase oil production by one million barrels per day.

Schumer said such an increase could bring down the price of a gallon of gasoline at the pump by 50 to 75 cents.

"We're losing our wealth. Our economy is heading south. That is the highest priority, not the Saudis getting the top-notch weapons," Schumer said.

The US offered last year to sell Saudi Arabia and Gulf states a $20 billion arms package, as part of a wider regional program aimed at deterring Iran and Syria, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda.

The resolution specifically mentions a sale of 900 kits to Saudi Arabia, which turn conventional bombs into laser-guided explosives or Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM).

Schumer said a motion of disapproval needed only 51 votes in the 100 seat Senate to pass and could not be filibustered.

Bush was heading to the Middle East on Tuesday, for a tour which commemorates the 75th anniversary of the formal establishment of US-Saudi relations.

The White House has said he will stress US concerns about soaring oil prices when he meets King Abdullah on May 16, and is expected to press the Saudis to boost their oil production as a way of curbing spiraling fuel prices.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Another film
Posted by Tony Stark on Wednesday 14 May 2008 at 10:34 UAE time


Iron Man is an even better reference. Sadly audiences here won't see the bit with the Dubai tycoon.

Naive or what?
Posted by Bruno Veninga, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 14 May 2008 at 09:13 UAE time


Is America really still that naive that they think their weapons, "intended to deter Iran and Syria, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda" are not going be sold on to these parties? In the least they should realise that, as the Saudi and other regional armies get new weapons, they need to get rid of their old ones... and these will undboutably end up in the hands of all those people that the new weapons are intended to deter???
Has anyone seen "Lord of War"... perfect example. Machine guns sold by the kilo.
Instead of promoting "peace" by sending in troops and selling weapons, perhaps the US needs to think about limiting it's weapons production for export, or even totally. People can't shoot each other from miles away if they don't have the weapons to do so...
A fist in the gut may hurt... but it is usually a lot less fatal than a bullet in the back of the head.
And on a final note... guns don't kill... stupid, ignorant, brainwashed people do. (and these are usually let by other stupid, but not ignorant, power and wealth hungry idiots.)

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