Administration delays arms sale to Bahrain

[Enrique]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204479504576639633684623882.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

WASHINGTON—The Obama administration won't proceed with a planned arms sale to Bahrain until it reviews the monarchy's progress investigating alleged human rights abuses and implementing reforms, the State Department told Congress in a letter.

The decision was a partial victory for human rights groups and lawmakers who argued that it was hypocritical of the U.S. to sell the arms to Bahrain so soon after President Barack Obama condemned the monarchy's violent crackdown on protesters earlier this year and called for democratic reforms.

The State Department notified Congress last month of plans to sell $53 million in arms to Bahrain, including more than 40 armored Humvees and 300 missiles. Last week, several prominent U.S. senators criticized the deal and asked the State Department to put any sales on hold.

A spokesman for Bahrain's embassy in Washington said the proposed arms were meant to help Bahrain defend against "serious external threats."

"We will continue to discuss the issues of security, stability and human rights with our American partners," said Saqer Al-Khalifa, the embassy's media attaché. "The government of Bahrain is committed to safeguarding the rights of its citizens and continuing the process for reform in the country."

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