Article Abstract:
The Bush administration approved the sale of advanced F-16 jet fighters to Taiwan. The arms deal, valued at over $5.8 billion, outraged mainland Chinese officials and was viewed as the reversal of a 10-year old policy limiting military assistance to Taiwan. Observers believe that the approval was brought about by economic factors, as the deal directly resulted in more jobs for US workers. The Bush administration downplayed Chinese protests, saying that the deal was not in contravention of the US-China Joint Communique.
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Article Abstract:
Outgoing Pres George Bush announced major arms sales to China and Kuwait concluded during the last weeks of his administration. Bush's decision effectively ends the ban on weapons sale to China which was imposed following the Tiananmen massacre in 1989. The weapons sale includes radars, avionics equipment, anti-submarine torpedoesamd ground-based radars capable of spotting enemy artillery. The Bush administration has also finalized the sale of $4.5 billion worth of tanks and other ground equipment to Kuwait.
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Article Abstract:
The State Department's inspector general released a report stating that the department consistently ignored laws prohibiting transfers of US weapons to third countries. The report stated that Israel, a major receipient of US arms, has continually made unauthorized transfers of weapons since 1983. The report came after unconfirmed allegations that Israel had given China technical data on the US patriot missile system.
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