Files a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request to secure records related to controversial arms sale
WASHINGTON—Citing concerns about risks to U.S. regional interests and the danger of weapons proliferation, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has called upon the Department of State to oppose the third-party transfer of sensitive U.S. equipment and technology as part of a reported Israeli Iron Dome anti-missile system sale to Azerbaijan.
In a February 13 letter sent to the State Department Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, the ANCA asked for formal U.S. opposition to the Iron Dome Sale on the grounds that it would: “undermine U.S. interests by raising the risks of regional conflict, setting back the cause of peace, and potentially allowing advanced weapons technology to fall into the hands of anti-American powers.” Separately, the ANCA has, under the Freedom of Information Act, requested any official records related to the Iron Dome sale to Azerbaijan.
“In Ilham Aliyev’s hands, Iron Dome is a first strike weapon,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, “one that will only embolden him to escalate his aggression.” He added: “Green-lighting this sale would undermine all that America and our OSCE partners have done to promote peace and prevent weapons proliferation, raising the very real risk that advanced technology that will both destabilize the Caucasus and potentially end up in the hands of anti-U.S. countries – from Belarus to North Korea.”
Reports began to surface regarding an impending sale of the Iron Dome anti-missile system to Azerbaijan shortly following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meetings with President Aliyev in December, 2016. Developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with funding and technology from the United States, the system is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 2.5 to 43 miles away and whose trajectory would take them to a populated area. In 2014, U.S. defense firm Raytheon won a $149.3 million co-production contract to supply Tamir missiles for the Iron Dome system. Under the terms of the May 3, 2014, U.S.-Israel Iron Dome Procurement Agreement as well as relevant provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act, the Arms Export Control Act, and other U.S. laws, the U.S. has the right to block the third-party transfer of U.S. equipment and information included in the Iron Dome system.
Individuals wishing to raise this matter with their U.S. legislators can do so by visiting anca.org/IronDome.
This approach is quite sophomoric. We really think Israel will listen to the US, even if the US decides to tell it to stop the sale?
What the Armenian Government should do is tell Israel that we will let Iran build nuclear power as plants in Artsakh, in the regions that Azertbaijan had surrendered to Artsakh. Parts of it are very mountainous and can’t be bombed. Iran will be more than happy to participate but Israel will do everything to prevent such a project. That will get it to stop the sale.
Also if the project goes through, Israel would be bombing what Azertbaijan considers its own soil and be upset. It would draw Iran into supporting liberation of Artsakh.
This Is the kind of metal paddle Khrimyan Hayrik was talking about.
Nevertheless sell weapons to Hamas and Hozballah.
It is Israel and its agents in the American government that dictate the US foreign policy in the region and NOT the other way around. This is a morally-bankrupt country, and a fake democracy, that not only and still to this day refuses to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide but it has been actively helping the fascist state of Turkey, the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide, to get away with mass murder.
How ironic that a nation whose people were subjected to similar acts about a quarter century later is the one helping Turkey stop Armenian Genocide recognition by the United States and I personally believe it is because, in some sick fashion, they don’t want competition and are bent on establishing monopoly on victimhood so they can continue being subsidized at tax-payer expense to build deadly weapons to sell to countries in conflict in the region to make profit at the expense of other people’s miseries.
The way you stop Israelis from selling weapons and defense mechanisms to our enemies is to give them a big dose and a bitter taste of their own medicines. Call it doing business for the sake of business. Sell weapons in billions of dollars to countries in the region, specially countries hostile to Israel, and help facilitate the full development of Iran’s nuclear power plan. They are pretty big on Bible commandments so remind them of the golden rule or law of reciprocity which is the principle of treating others as one would wish to be treated: Do unto them as they do unto you!