Got WMDs? Arms dealers race excitedly into Iraq

[rawstory]

Reported first in the U.S. at the new liberal alternative to Drudge:
The Raw Story, http://rawstory.com

NEW YORK - When the 15-member United Nations Security Council legitimized the US-imposed interim government in Baghdad in June, the five-page unanimous resolution carried a provision little publicized in the media: the lifting of a 14-year arms embargo on Iraq.

The Security Council's decision to end military sanctions on Iraq has triggered a rush by the world's weapons dealers to make a grab for a potentially multimillion-dollar new arms market in the already over-armed Middle East.

The former US-run Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), which handed over power to the new Iraqi government on June 28, finalized plans for the purchase of six C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft, 16 Iroquois helicopters and a squadron of 16 low-flying, light reconnaissance aircraft - all for delivery by next April.

<snip>

Since late last year, Iraq has purchased 50,000 handguns from Austria, 421 UAZ Hunter jeeps from Russia and millions of dollars' worth of armored cars from Brazil and Ukraine, along with AK-47 assault rifles, 9mm pistols, military vehicles, fire-control equipment and night-vision devices.

The biggest single deal was a $327 million contract with a US firm to outfit Iraqi troops with body armor, radios and other communications equipment. The contract has been challenged by two non-US firms that lost out on the bidding process.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FG13Ak01.html

[mhr]

1. Don't You Just Love It, US Firms Are Arming Iran For The Forth Coming

American invasion.

So sad, we will sell the weapons that will eventually kill our kids at the hands of Bush's blood lust.

[central scrutinizer]

7. what's your point?

NOTHING shall stand in the way of making a buck. Halliburton was dealing with Saddam in contravention to the sanctions back in the 90's. They were helping Saddam pump and sell oil and we know that he didn't spend any of the money on his people - in other words, Cheney helped Saddam buy the bullets that were killing US soldiers during the march to Baghdad. Then any bullets that were left were looted by the Iraqis while we were busy guarding the Oil Ministry.

[Hobarticus]

2. It'd be amusing if not so disgusting....

[rawstory]

3. Come on...

No one in DU cares about this? I mean, if we're gonna care about this whole Iraq invasion, the least we can do is follow-up what's going on post-war...

[bemildred]

5. We care.

We are glad you posted it.
But it doesn't need much comment.
They will regret this stupidity, the US, our troops on the ground,
the morons in the new appointed "government".

[struggle4progress]

4. kick

:kick:

[THUNDER HANDS]

6. yay more guns and weapons everywhere

I feel so much safer. Someone hand me that uzi and some Skoal.