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Politics : America Under Siege: The End of Innocence -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John Hunt who wrote (11383)	12/4/2001 2:58:17 PM
From: John Hunt	Respond to of 27666

A deadly threat, courtesy of America (aka burning the arms candle at both ends) [ In early November the Bush administration sent Congress a very disturbing request - it was asked to approve the sale of advanced Harpoon Block II missiles to Egypt. The missile's manufacturer, Boeing, has said it is the most successful of its kind in the world. Boeing is not exaggerating. The Harpoon Block II is capable of precision targeting to within 10 meters of the target. It carries a 250-kg warhead, has a range of 150 kilometers, and can be launched from a war ship or a plane. When ship-fired it hugs the water surface and can hit an enemy ship just about on the water-line. The Harpoon Block II is difficult to detect and produces deadly results. If approved, Egypt would get 53 Harpoon Block II missiles under an arms deal worth $400 million, and including also four Ambassador MK III Fast Missile Patrol Craft (FMC). This has been preceded by two other arms deals earlier this year - for am MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System), and 100 M1-A1 Abrams tanks. The Harpoon Block II deal is part of the annual two-billion-dollar American assistance package to Egypt, which comprises $1.3 million to buy weapon systems and $700 in civilian aid. Concern that the supply of such sophisticated weaponry to countries that could pose a danger to Israel was one of the issues raised at the American-Israeli strategic talks held two weeks ago. Until now the Americans have supplied Egypt with weapons platforms - warplanes, warships and tanks - to replace weapons previously supplied by the former Soviet Union and states of the former Communist Bloc. The quality of these platforms, especially the F-16s, is similar to the those the Israel Air Force has, but the technical edge in Israel's favor has been maintained till now by two facts. One, Israel has been supplied with more advanced weapons systems and two, in the context of its own defense industries Israel has itself developed technologies the U.S. has not transferred to it. Because of the Harpoon Block II's unique features, giving it to Egypt seriously disrupts the rules of the game in play up to now. In the peace treaty with Israel, Egypt agreed to demilitarize the Sinai Peninsula, and that is perhaps the most important point in the treaty. However, the peace agreement signed on March 29, 1979 did not envisage the possibility that Egypt would one day arm itself with guided missiles with a range of 150 kilometers. Moreover, Egypt is interested in mounting these missiles on its fast-speed American-made patrol boats. With such weapons systems and with its ships situated far away from Israel's shores in international waters, Egypt would be capable of hitting any target in Israel. In their explanations to Congress, administration spokespeople emphasized the strategic cooperation between the U.S. and Egypt. Since the start of the American-led offensive against Afghanistan's Taliban and al-Qaida, the Suez Canal has become a major waterway for American warships. Harpoon Block II missiles are essential for the defending the Suez Canal, says the administration. Until now Israel has kept a low profile on anything connected with arms for Egypt - its dependence on American weapons and Egypt's transformation into a strategic American partner converged with Israeli strategic thinking. However, saying the Harpoon Block II - with the effective capability of a cruise missile - is needed to defend the Suez Canal sounds very weak. Major General Amos Malka, the Israel Defense Forces' director of Military Intelligence has said in closed door discussions that Egypt is a danger, but not a threat, to Israel. Harpoon Block II missiles in Egyptian hands may be considered a future threat to Israel. ] haaretz.co.il

To: John Hunt who wrote (11383)	12/4/2001 11:35:06 PM
From: Runner	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 27666

Then he should come home to his family. The idea some people would hold it against him for supporting Clinton getting BJs from Monica is crazy. Our Government should be doing their jobs, not worrying over a reporter. Has anyone been fired for Sept 11 yet??? Hell, Ollie North ran guns and drugs with the contras and no one holds that against him. I think Geraldo is too prime a target anyway. I could see the ransom demands now. We all have better things to do.

To: John Hunt who wrote (11383)	12/5/2001 12:07:47 AM
From: Captain Jack	Respond to of 27666

ROFLMAO!!! No one even missed the fool on TV until the news article of him in Affy popped up. Did you read any of his egotistical assinine comments? What a joke he is;;;; declaring on air that he was packing a gun and might personally plug Osama Bin Laden if he found him. On his broadcast last night, Geraldo himself called his new beat "an armed no-man's land … filled with murderous danger." An amused Pentagon spokesman said he'd "received no reports of [Rivera] experiencing any trouble," but that he was welcome to file a complaint. Afghans have been blocking his way to Kandahar. Worse still, sources claim, he's been getting precious little cooperation from U.S. military officials who apparently don't cotton to the left-leaning TV star.