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U.S. wants Russia to resume Arms sales to Iraq
The question of arming Iraq's new army with weapons of Soviet and Russian manufacture was raised in principle by the American side, the chief of Russia's General Staff, Colonel-General Yuri Baluyevsky told journalists in Brussels. He said the initiative came from the commander-in-chief of NATO forces in Europe, U.S. General James Johnes. When asked why the Americans suggested this, Baluyevsky explained that the Untied States may be increasingly aware that it makes no sense arming the Iraqi army with fourth and fifth generation military hardware. "The Iraqi army is unprepared for this. It is also unnecessary. The main task of the Iraqi army now is not protection from foreign threats, but stabilization of the situation in the country." Sooo... What he's saying is, "American hardware is to good for the Iraqi Army. Plus, they are already familiar with the outdated Russia junk anyway." I can see this as making sense from a cost perspective for Iraq, and a safety perspective for our troops. (Not wanting good hardware in the hands of terrorists) Posted by: Mike 2004-11-17 |
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