Keeping the party going in Iraq

[formercia]

Why does Iraq need ammunition for US weapons. Don't they have enough Russian equipment and arms to keep them occupied into the next Century?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070504/pl_nm/iraq_usa_arms_dc

U.S. eyes $500 mln ammunition sale to Iraq

By Jim Wolf Fri May 4, 6:03 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration told Congress on Friday of plans to sell
Iraq about 400 million rounds of small arms ammunition, 170,000 grenades, demolition explosives and other military gear and services valued at up to $508 million.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the Iraqi government had asked for up to 100 million rounds of both M855 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunition for small arms, as well as about 200 million other bullets.

"This proposed sale directly supports the Iraqi government and serves the interests of the Iraqi people and the U.S., as well as offering hope for a more stable and peaceful Middle East," said the agency that handles government-to-government arms sales.

The package would help Iraqi forces "sustain themselves in their efforts to bring stability to the country and prevent overflow of unrest into neighboring countries," a statement said.

[KharmaTrain]

1. Nice...More Small Stuff To Slip Through The Rathole

But it sure will be a nice order for the American military defense plant that gets the job...that's all that matters.

While there might be lots of old Soviet weapons and munitions around...why bother when the US has all but given the insurgents all the weapons they need...and now we're gonna make some more money by sending more.

Note To Congressional Democrats: This smells like something that needs immediate investigation and oversight. Put the sale contingent on benchmarks BEFORE weapons are delivered...an oil bill or some other action that resembles a real government rather than the kabuki show currently going on.

[Missy M]

2. The irony of it all.....

Bush starts a war, divides the country into civil war and then sells them $500 million in ammunition. Quite a sales pitch he used.

[KG]

3. US arms manuf. and the US govt really don't give a shit who they sell death to.

[lapfog_1]

4. Gives them something to trade with Iran... n/t

[formercia]

9. To feed all of the weapons we sold to Iran.

ask Ollie.

[lapfog_1]

10. Yes. that's what I meant.

Plus the spare parts to make all the weapons we sold the Shah work again too.

[dave_p]

5. Russian equipment?

I wouldn't even wish that on a joke regime like the one in Baghdad.

Besides, most of it probably went AWOL after Bremer dissolved the army, or rusted to bits since. Stuff happens.

[Lobster Martini]

6. Right. Nothing offers greater hope for peace than ammunition, grenades and explosives

Every bullet conveys a message of love.

[Wiley50]

7. The 7.62mm is for their Kalishnicovs (russian) The 5.65 is for the M-16'

They'll also need a lot of 9mm for all of the Glocks we gave them.

It says something about their marksmanship that they need 500 million rounds
to kill every man, woman and child in Iraq

[formercia]

8. 7.62 NATO (7.62x51)

The Iraqi Army is using Machine Guns that fire the 7.62x51