Rice, Gates in Egypt to seek Arab front against Iran

[Flabbergasted]

Rice, Gates in Egypt to seek Arab front against Iran
P. Parameswaran
AFP
July 31, 2007

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt -- US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates kicked off a regional tour in Egypt Tuesday seeking to unite Arab allies against Iran's "destabilizing" influence.

The rare joint trip, preceded by the announcement of a multibillion-dollar military aid bonanza for Washington's friends in the region, will also seek help to stabilize Iraq and bolster the US-backed Baghdad government.

"As security permits we hope more states would undertake more diplomatic missions to Iraq," Rice told journalists on her way to the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh, appealing also for further Iraq debt forgiveness.

Arab diplomatic missions in Baghdad have scaled back their representation following a campaign of attacks and kidnappings.

Sweetening its expected demands, Washington Monday said that it would hand out billions in advanced weaponry to so-called moderate Arab states whose foreign ministers the US duo is due to meet.

"We will have a chance to talk about what initiatives we might undertake with our friends and allies in the security and political areas," Rice said. "We are very concerned to be able to provide for the security of our long-standing allies in the region."

The new military pacts are worth $20 billion for Saudi Arabia, $13 billion for Egypt, and $30 billion for Israel in a bid to counter Iran.



http://www.metimes.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20070731-061435-3356r

[The Wielding Truth]

1. Billions of our $ to Saudis to keep turmoil in mideast.

[cliss]

2. Divide

and Conquer baby.

[Sinistrous]

3. Deja vu.

Remember Cheney's trip to the Arab States before the onset of the US occupation of Iraq?

Sinistrous