United States stops delivery of F-16s fighter jets to Egypt
Tigrai Online, July 24, 2013
Under a foreign aid deal signed in 2010, when Morsi's U.S.-friendly predecessor Hosni Mubarak was in charge, the U.S. was going to give the planes to Egypt's air force, which already has more than 200 of the aircraft.
President Obama on Wednesday suspended delivery of four fighter jets to Egypt this week, the administration’s most visible response to the turmoil that followed a military coup early this month.
The hold on four F-16s manufactured by Lockheed Martin marks the first interruption of Washington’s robust defense-aid pipeline to Egypt, which has turned the Arab world’s most populous country into a regional military powerhouse.
Pentagon spokesman George Little said the United States values its relationship with the Egyptian military and characterized the delay of the F-16s as a cautionary measure.
“We do not believe it would be in the best interest of the United States to immediately change all of our assistance to Egypt,” Little told reporters Wednesday. But “given the current situation in Egypt, we do not believe it is appropriate to move forward at this time with the delivery of F-16s.”
The decision was announced shortly after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel held an hour-long conversation with Gen. Abdel Fatah al-Sissi, the Egyptian military chief, who this month deposed the country’s first freely elected president, Mohamed Morsi, with the backing of a large segment of Egyptian society. A U.S. senior defense official said the measure was not intended to be construed as punitive.
“This is not a way of punishing them,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to explain policy deliberations. “It gives us more time to consult with Congress, walk them through our strategy and explain our views to them.”
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-halts-delivery-of-f-16s-to-egypt/2013/07/24/f227ac7a-f495-11e2-aa2e-4088616498b4_story.html
Sponsored Links
More Articles
On Dr. Birhanu Nega’s subterfuge: he who pays the piper calls the tune
Tigrai State secured over 376 million Birr from tourism
The Current State of Ethiopian Democracy
Abba Girma Kebede 2: madding crowd 0
Supporting GERD is a must; no ifs, no buts
Eritrea paying warlord agents to undermine Somalia says U.N. Monitoring Group
The Nile Egypt's other existential crisis
Ethiopia will submit an offer to the World Trade Organization
Ethiopian Becomes Strategic Partner in New Malawi Airlines
Unfinished Amharization process in Ethiopia and Kemants’ Quest for Dignity and Self-Rule
Ethiopia’s refugee protection and open borders praised by UNHCR chief
Ethiopian Red Terror Cadre admits he is Kefelegne Alemu Worku to court
Dr Berhanu Nega: Esayass’ Coolie
Ethiopian Graduates 121 Pilots, Aviation Technicians and Cabin Crew
Would Haile Gebrselassie be a good president for Ethiopia?
Congratulations Ethiopian University Students Class of 2013
Exponential Population Growth and Carrying Capacity of the Ethiopian Economy
Is it www.bornrich.com or www.bornliar.com Mr Yussuf ?
Egypt and Eritrea changed tactics to destabilize Ethiopia
Falsehood Accusations by Obang Metho and Dr. Birhanu Nega to Weaken the Ethiopian Government
IMF says The Ethiopian economy continues to experience robust growth and reduction in inflation
What are your thoughts about what is going on in Egypt?
Dr. Berhanu Nega: Dreaming a White Dove While Sleeping With a Snake
Language for whose Audience in the Ethiopian context? A Message to PM Hailemariam Desalegn
Ethiopia to benefit from Obama’s new $7 billion Africa Power program
Should Ethiopia punish Eritrea for supporting Ethiopian terrorists?
Uganda starts ratifying the Nile Cooperative Framework Agreement
Al-Qaeda in Somalia leader and Al-Shabab founder captured in Somalia
Better Late than Never:The Imperatives of Immortalizing our Martyrs
Ordinary Ethiopians started to speak out against the Egyptian agents
Enough is enough with the old colonial treaty cassettes
Shifting To See Meles in a New Light
Ethiopian Wins Sky Trax World Airline Award for Best Airline Staff Service in Africa
Ethiopian and Egyptian foreign ministers issued a joint statement
Too much ado about nothing: A minor demonstration gets disproportionate speculation
Somaliland to support Ethiopia in the Nile conflict with Egypt
The anti-Corruption Crackdown: Just an episode in the long-term battle
Ethiopia gets $300 million loan from Exim bank of India
Engaging the Diaspora: how, when and where Shaping out workable Methodology
President Yoweri Museveni blasts Egypt in support of Ethiopia
President Mursi and Co., Be Careful What You Wish for Ethiopia and the Renaissance Dam
Ethiopian parliament ratifies the new Nile River Cooperative Framework Agreement
Egypt Has No Choice but to Cooperate with Ethiopia On The Issue of the Nile
Eritrean sponsored terrorists annihilated by Ethiopian security forces
Sudan reaffirms support for the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
The Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM) quits armed struggle and returns home
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to pay official visit to China
Ethiopian Extremists wagging their tails and begging Egypt to invade Ethiopia
The Egyptian political rhetoric over the Nile and the reality
Ethiopia summons Egypt’s ambassador over Nile dam attack comments
Egyptian politicians caught plotting how to attack Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
Dealing With a Pariah State in the Horn of Africa
Kaizen Initiatives at the Ethiopian Wonji Sugar Manufacturing Company