Overstretched US cuts aid to Israel
By Damien McElroy and Tim Butcher in Jerusalem
America has been forced to withhold funding from its key ally in the Middle East amid the strain of paying for its expensive military campaign in Iraq.
Washington had promised Israel a substantial increase in its financial support to bolster it against Iran. But US officials decided to amend their pledge because of escalating costs, including the need to spend $750 million (£375 million) to fly thousands of armoured troop carriers to Iraq to protect troops against Iranian-made roadside bombs. The Pentagon has come under intense pressure to speed up deployment of the new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle (MRAP), which boasts a V-shaped hull and a raised chassis and is proven to withstand a range of explosive projectiles common in Iraq. The army has ordered 8,000 MRAP vehicles at a cost of $12 billion. But a request by the Pentagon for an emergency transport budget illustrates the increasing danger faced by troops on the ground. Officials said extra funds would be used to get 3,400 MRAPs to Iraq by the end of the year. The diversion of funds has caused a budget shortfall in Israel that forced Ehud -Olmert, the prime minister, to convene an emergency cabinet meeting yesterday. Officials discussed ways of dealing with the £250 million deficit in next year's budget, which Israeli commentators said would result in austerity measures. More worryingly for Israel, there are fears the shortfall will have a significant impact on the ability of the country to defend itself as military training and procurement are cut back. The tension over the delayed American money has tarnished relations between the two countries, which were boosted only last week when Israel confirmed it would enjoy a surge in American defence aid of 25 per cent over the next 10 years. US forces claimed yesterday to have killed 32 suspected Shia terrorists and taken 12 prisoner in an operation involving air strikes on Baghdad's Sadr City district. They said the militia members killed belonged to a group accused of smuggling weapons and facilitating attacks on Americans. However, regional satellite television channels claimed that women and children, not fighters, were killed in the raid. America is under tremendous pressure to clamp down on Iran's allies in Iraq. -Lt General Raymond -Odierno, the US operations commander in Iraq, said Iran-backed attacks rose to 99 last month in response to American efforts to clamp down on Shia militias. |
To read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/09/wmeast109.xml
Comments: What do the authors mean, the USA was forced to cut the funds? Who forced the USA? Where is the confirmation for such a claim? What USA official said they were forced to amend their support due to an increase cost in another weapons system earmarked for Iraq? No one in the Israeli government has publicly indicated this “cutback” would harm our ability to defend ourselves! I’ve checked multiple sources here in Israel, no mention of the cuts, so where is this information coming from? In addition, the authors claim there are heightened tensions between Israel and the USA because of this alleged money issue-again, no apparent statement or behavior to indicate this is so.
Curiously the article spends most of its time presenting unrelated information contrary to their own headline. The tone of the piece is negative toward the USA and the war in Iraq. Such a convenient story and headline to disguise the author’s true intent. Oh yes, this piece appears in today’s Telegraph.co.uk-Israel is this paper’s least favored state member. Sloppy opinion piece disguised as a news story. No surprise here; does demonstrate the lack of journalistic integrity found in the UK today!
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