Al Saud to America : "Assume the position"

DIckWCondi: "Thank you sir, may I have another?"

GERTZ:
The Saudi royal family appears to have linked the U.S. weapons deals to political concessions from the Bush administration

Saudi Arabia stalling on U.S. defense projects

LONDON -- Western industry sources said that despite more than $12 billion in formal requests by Saudi Arabia in 2006 and 2007, most of the proposed arms projects have not resulted in contracts. The sources said the Saudi royal family appears to have linked the U.S. weapons deals to political concessions from the Bush administration.

"U.S. contractors have been working hard in Saudi Arabia on modernization projects, but contracts for major weapons platforms have been stalled," an industry source said.

Swallow the bitter pill now, America. Get out of this entire mess. They have nothing in common with us, not even the desire for profit to make things better. These weapons will NOT be used against Iran unless Iran invades them, NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE TELLING YOURSELVES. Nor will the Al Saud allow themselves to become a target, and be forced to respond.

Over the last year, the United States approved Saudi requests for the Joint Direct Attack Munition, Sniper targeting pods, airborne early-warning equipment and light armored vehicles. In 2006, the administration approved the sale of main battle tanks and helicopter upgrades to Riyad.

Let them threaten and bluster. The wheel of time is turning. We have the people, brains and ability to end run the whole pantload of creeps.

Industry sources said virtually all of these projects were stuck. They included the upgrade of 12 AH-64A Apache helicopters to D configuration in a $400 million deal.

Another uncertain project was that of the sale of 24 S-70 Black Hawk helicopters to

Saudia Arabia. The $350 million deal, approved by Washington in 2006, has not become an active program.

Saudi Arabia has also not advanced in a proposed project to upgrade 373 Abrams MBTs by the United States, the sources said. The proposed $2.9 billion deal, which included both new and surplus M1A1 MBTs, remains uncertain.

In contrast, the Saudis have advanced in logistics projects meant to support the kingdom's military. The sources cited the delivery of 724 6V-53 diesel engines for the Piranha light armored vehicle. So far, nearly 200 such engines have been delivered.

OMG they're so advanced they can adjust a diesel engine. What worthy allies !

The Saudis have also hesitated in ordering U.S. systems for the upgrade of its Tornado fighter-jet fleet in a project led by BAE Systems, the sources said. In 2005, the United States approved the Saudi purchase of the Lantirn navigation and targeting pod and radar for the British-origin Tornado.

At the same time, the Royal Saudi Air Force has been advancing a U.S.-led project to modernize the kingdom's F-15S fleet. Delivery of new engines and other equipment for the fighter-jet was scheduled for 2008.

Just cut them off. We hardly use ANY Saudi oil. Our attention should be falling around the caribbean, and western africa, and MOST OF ALL, the Bakken formation in the Dakotas, offshore California, and Alaska if its oil we're talking about..