US economy in shambles, Obama pimps guns to bloody Bahrain regime

US, Bahrain in talks on $53mn arms deal
Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:18PM GMT

The United States and Bahrain are currently discussing a deal, which, if it goes through, would see the US sell the Persian Gulf kingdom $53 million of military equipment, according to a recent report.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which is part of the US Department of Defense, has notified the Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the government of Bahrain, the German defense news website defpro.com reported on Thursday.

DSCA provides financial and technical assistance, transfer of defense materials, training, and services to US allies, and promotes military-to-military contracts.

Bahrain is seeking to purchase armored high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles, TOW missiles and associated equipment, and training and logistical support from the US military.

Reports estimate the total cost of the deal, which still needs to get congressional approval, to be over $53 million.

In February, Manama began a harsh crackdown on Bahraini citizens calling for an end to the absolute monarchy at anti-government demonstrations.

Human rights groups say the United States, Britain, and other Western countries are supplying arms to the Bahraini regime.

The US is selling arms to Bahrain despite the fact that scores of people have been killed and many more arrested and tortured in prisons in the Saudi-backed crackdown on protests in Bahrain — a longtime ally of the US and home to a huge military base of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.

Bahraini forces have abducted many people, including opposition activists, journalists, teachers, students, doctors, and nurses, and have also destroyed dozens of mosques.

Human rights groups and the families of protesters arrested during the crackdown say that most detainees have been physically and psychologically abused. …source