[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 53 (Thursday, April 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1802-S1803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control
Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain
proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification,
the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be
reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the
notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant
information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to
have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received.
If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is
available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations
Committee, room SD-423.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Arlington, VA.
Hon. Bob Corker,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements
of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-14,
concerning the Department of the Army's proposed Letter(s) of
Offer and Acceptance to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for
defense articles and services estimated to cost $200 million.
After this letter is delivered to your office, we plan to
issue a news release to notify the public of this proposed
sale.
Sincerely,
J. W. Rixey,
Vice Admiral, USN, Director.
Enclosure.
Transmittal No. 16-14
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $0 million.
Other $ 200 million.
Total $ 200 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of three years of
support services by the United States Military Training
Mission to Saudi Arabia (USMTM). USMTM is the Security
Cooperation Organization (SCO) responsible for identifying,
planning, and executing U.S. Security Cooperation training
and advisory support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry
of Defense.
(iv) Military Department: U.S. Army (ABT, Basic Case).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: SR-B-ABS-A01; $90M;
implemented 30 Dec 13.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None.
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: None.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: February 17,
2016.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia--Support Services
The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible
sale of support services by the United States Military
Training Mission to Saudi Arabia (USMTM). USMTM is the
Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) responsible for
identifying, planning, and executing U.S. Security
Cooperation training and advisory support for the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense. The estimated cost is $200
million.
This proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by helping
to improve the security of an important partner which has
been and continues to be an important force for political
stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
This proposed sale will provide the continuation of
Technical Assistance Field Teams (TAFT) and other support for
USMTM services to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The proposed
sale supports the United States' continued commitment to the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's security and strengthens U.S.-Saudi
Arabia strategic partnership. Sustaining the USMTM supports
Saudi Arabia in deterring hostile action and increases U.S.-
Saudi Arabia military interoperability. Saudi Arabia will
have no difficulty absorbing this support.
The proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance
in the region. It will support Combatant Command initiatives
in the region by enabling Saudi Arabia's efforts to combat
aggression and terrorism.
There is no prime contractor associated with this proposed
sale. There are no known offset agreements in connection with
this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will approve the
permanent or temporary assignment of up to 202 case-funded
U.S. Government or contractor personnel to the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. Defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
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