[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 25 (Thursday, February 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ARMS SALES TO SAUDI ARABIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2008

  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, as part of the Gulf Security Dialogue 
between the Gulf States and the United States, the President has 
proposed the commercial sale of a number of significant U.S-produced 
weapon systems that the President believes will contribute to U.S. 
national security in the Gulf Region.
  There has been a good deal of controversy surrounding these proposed 
arms sales included in the Gulf Security Dialogue, and, in particular, 
the sale of Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) to Saudi Arabia.
  The Foreign Affairs Committee has taken the reported concerns 
seriously. The Committee has held four highly classified briefings on 
the Gulf Security Dialogue. As part of this ongoing dialogue, Chairman 
Lantos asked the Secretary of State to provide to the Committee, in 
writing, additional assurances that can be released publicly that this 
sale will not threaten our interests or those of our friends in the 
region. Chairman Lantos received a letter with these assurances from 
the Secretary of State.
  Madam Speaker, as the Acting Chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Committee, I ask that this letter be printed in full in the Record so 
that all of our colleagues in the Congress can be aware of the 
assurances which the Committee has received.

                                       The Secretary of State,

                                 Washington, DC, February 6, 2008.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you regarding the 
     proposed sale of Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) to 
     Saudi Arabia under the rubric of the Gulf Security Dialogue. 
     Over the last year, we have consulted closely with Congress 
     and our partners in the region on the proposed sale. This 
     sale is important to U.S. national interests in the Gulf 
     region. It will strengthen our relationship with Saudi Arabia 
     and will enhance regional security and stability.
       The United States has offered for sale a number of military 
     goods to friendly governments in the region to support U.S. 
     interests. In preparing these sales, we have worked closely 
     with our friends in the region to ensure the proposed 
     transfers strengthen stability and security regarding 
     potential challenges from Iran or other threats in the 
     region. We have consulted closely about this sale with Israel 
     and remain committed to the preservation of Israel's 
     qualitative military edge. I can assure you that the sale of 
     JDAMs to Saudi Arabia will not affect Israel's qualitative 
     military edge. The Government of Israel understands the 
     reasons for this sale and does not object to it.
       We are mindful of the sensitivity of some of the technology 
     being transferred, and will continue to keep Congress 
     informed on the details of this sale, particularly of any 
     changes in the arrangements we have briefed the committee. We 
     have had, and will continue to have, thorough discussions 
     with the Government of Saudi Arabia regarding its obligations 
     resulting from this sale. As a result of these discussions, 
     we are confident that the Government of Saudi Arabia will 
     undertake all necessary measures to secure these weapons and 
     to assure their use only in ways which we support. In 
     particular, the Government of Saudi Arabia will provide 
     adequate security for the JDAMs such that these weapons will 
     not fall into the hands of other nations or groups. Moreover, 
     the Government of Saudi Arabia will ensure that these weapons 
     will not be used against U.S. forces or the forces of U.S. 
     allies.
       I hope this resolves any concerns that might exist about 
     this sale. We would be happy to discuss further with you, if 
     you desire. We look forward to working with you to secure the 
     advancement of U.S. interests in the Gulf region.
           Sincerely,
     Condoleezza Rice.

                          ____________________