http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2008-09-11/1057520898.html
澳大利亞擬加強軍備應對亞洲鄰國軍事實力上升
http://www.sina.com.cn  2008年09月11日 10:57  東方早報

　　東方早報9月11日報導澳大利亞總理陸克文9日稱，因亞太地區人口增長而導致的資源和領土的糾紛使各國紛紛加強軍備，而澳大利亞也必須跟上這一步伐，通過加強國防部隊建設來應對這一局面。

　　陸克文稱，隨著“亞太地區的競爭越來越激烈”，澳大利亞必須加強其軍隊建設，尤其是海軍建設。陸克文表示，政府將撥款600億澳元用於加強海軍建設以應對亞太地區鄰國軍事實力的上升。

　　想和中印加強安全對話

　　陸克文週二在一場對老兵的演講中提到了亞太地區人口的增長。他說：“我們這一地區人口上的變化意味著在2020年我們北面國家的情況將和今天大為不同，人口、糧食、水和能源壓力都將變得很大。”

　　“面對這一情況，我們需要一個新的方法來保證澳大利亞全面地回應這一系列問題。”陸克文說，“這意味著要對本地區的軍事化作出回應，同恐怖威脅作鬥爭並應對太平洋地區主權和能源安全的挑戰。”

　　“我們需要確保澳大利亞的國防力量能在必要的時候應對這一局面。事實是澳大利亞的國防長期以來過於延伸。”陸克文說，澳大利亞必須保持全球“中等力量”的地位。

　　目前，澳大利亞的海外駐軍情況是：伊拉克的1000名軍人、阿富汗北約部隊的1000名軍人、東帝汶750名維和人員以及在所羅門群島的140名維和人員。今年6月，陸克文還撤回了駐伊拉克的550名軍人。

　　但陸克文沒有點明可能對坎培拉構成威脅的國家。

　　他說，澳大利亞將加強同日本、韓國、印尼、馬來西亞和新加坡的安全合作，但也想同印度和中國加強安全對話。他建議亞太地區可以建立仿照歐盟模式的國際社會，並說為了本地區的未來，國家間有必要加強對話，“如果我們不開始考慮本地區的未來發展，我們很可能面對競爭與緊張超過合作的局面。”

　　被形容為“鷹派表述”

　　陸克文的演講中強調了海軍建設的重要性，他說亞洲軍隊現代化的發展，包括先進的潛水艇和空軍戰鬥力意味著澳大利亞需要在軍事投入上增加開支。

　　目前，澳大利亞軍隊已開始其軍隊建設現代化的10年計畫，這包括龐大的兩栖攻擊艦、導彈驅逐艦、隱形戰鬥機、巡航導彈、坦克、直升飛機以及更強大的軍隊。

　　“我們需要注意到正在發生的變化，並確保我們擁有對付未來突發狀況的綜合實力。”陸克文說。

　　去年11月上臺的陸克文政府曾承諾同亞洲保持密切關係並維持與美國的軍事同盟。同時，政府承諾將每年增加3%的國防預算直至2017年或2018年，並重新審視軍隊人數與花費的問題。

　　而安全分析家、退休的海軍準將山姆•貝特曼說陸克文的這些言論是許多年來澳大利亞領導人中最富進攻性的，幾乎同前保守黨領導人約翰•霍華德所說的在必要情況下可以先向鄰國發動進攻的言論相當。

　　“這似乎是完全的鷹派表述。何況這一地區的軍備競賽並沒有那麼厲害。這些鄰國只是在更新其他國家已有的設備。”貝特曼告訴當地電臺。

　　他說陸克文的這一發言反映了澳大利亞長期以來對亞洲鄰國的不安全感，儘管陸克文本人能講一口流利的漢語並且是中國通。

　　“我們可能有一種島國觀點，在國家安全上，對北面的國家不信任，而不是更融入這一地區。”

　　據悉，明年的早些時候，澳大利亞將出臺一份戰略計畫報告。而在此之前，陸克文政府還將公佈澳大利亞第一份國家安全報告。

http://news.yam.com/cna/international/200809/20080910633408.html
陸克文擬擴張澳洲軍力 維持亞太地區和平 
中央社╱中央社 2008-09-10 20:05
     
（中央社記者陳明隆雪梨十日專電）澳洲總理陸克文昨天針對亞太地區的武器競備提出警告，認為澳洲應該擴張軍力以維護區域和平，他的說法獲得該國國防專家支持。

在昨晚的一場演說中，陸克文指出，亞太地區過去十年間的武器競備從未間斷，尤其從近來經濟發展迅速的中國和印度等國所提撥的國防預算暴增可窺見一二，他認為澳洲國防應該對此做好準備。

澳洲前國防情報局執行長狄布今天表示，陸克文對於澳洲在二零三零年恐將面臨問題所提出的警告並不誇大。

他說：「（亞太地區）首先是中國的崛起，且不論它將會成為地區和平勢力亦是挑戰勢力，另外，還包括印度的崛起、日本對於中國勢力興起的顧慮，以及從最近喬治亞戰爭，可以看見俄羅斯似乎開始重拾過去武斷作風。」

「而且過去三年間，東亞的國防預算就暴增百分之二十四之多。」

「在此同時，澳洲也面臨鄰近東帝汶、巴布亞紐幾內亞、萬那杜共和國以及索羅門等國局勢不穩定威脅。」

狄布表示，澳洲不能單憑依靠其他國家生存，如同陸克文先前所指出，美國目前的領導勢力雖然可以持續到二零三零年，但是對於這些新興勢力國家的影響力將逐漸遞減。

此外，美國駐澳大使麥卡勒姆認為，澳洲在亞太地區擴張軍力的舉動將有助強化美澳兩國之間關係。

http://news.yam.com/afp/international/200809/20080909555611.html
喬治亞若加盟北約　俄可能斷絕與北約關係  
法新社╱陳昶佑 2008-09-09 00:35     
 
 
（法新社莫斯科八日電）據國營俄羅斯新聞社報導，莫斯科當局駐北大西洋公約組織大使評論指出，如果北約執意把喬治亞納為會員國，俄國可能會終止與北約的一切合作。

俄國駐北約大使羅戈辛提及賦予喬治亞加盟北約行動計畫地位時表示，「從道德政治觀點來看，接受喬治亞的加盟行動計畫地位，就好像是北約靠向侵略者那一方。」

報導引述羅戈辛說：「美國支持他們的門徒是一回事，提供侵略國庇護完全是另一回事。在這種情況下，（俄羅斯和北約）能進行什麼合作？完全沒有。」

美國政府高層官員今天說，華府深信喬治亞將會加入北約，俄國上個月入侵喬治亞，使得喬治亞加盟的機會升高。

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20080908\ACQDJON200809081044DOWJONESDJONLINE000369.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=UPDATE:%20Russia%20Could%20Cut%20NATO%20Ties%20Over%20Georgia%20-%20Report
Russia Could Cut NATO Ties Over Georgia - Report

(Adds quotes from U.S. official, background.)

MOSCOW (AFP)--Russia could end all cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization if the alliance moved to grant Georgia membership, Moscow's NATO envoy indicated Monday in comments carried by state news agency RIA Novosti.

"From a moral-political point of view, accepting Georgia to MAP would look like NATO moving to the side of the aggressor," Dmitry Rogozin said, referring to proposals to grant Georgia NATO's Membership Action Plan status.

"It is one thing for the U.S. to back their protege, and another thing entirely to provide refuge to the aggressor country. What kind of (Russia-NATO) cooperation can you talk about in this case? None!" Rogozin was quoted as saying.

A top U.S. administration official said Monday that Washington was confident Georgia would join NATO and that Russia's incursion into the ex-Soviet state in August had increased its chances.

"If anything, what has happened in Georgia has probably broadened support within the alliance for the proposition that eventually they ought to be members of NATO," the official said.

"The resolution that was adopted at the Bucharest summit that said Georgia and Ukraine will become members of NATO represents the thinking of most of our NATO allies," the U.S. official said.

At the April summit, NATO leaders agreed on a statement saying that Georgia and ex-Soviet ally Ukraine would eventually join, but refused to grant the countries MAP status after French and German opposition.

Russia has opposed inclusion of Georgia and Ukraine, saying that NATO expansion and its support of a planned U.S. anti-missile system in the Czech Republic and Poland is a "strategic error."

Last month, Moscow announced a suspension of cooperation with NATO in a number of areas, freezing visits to Russia by NATO officials and suspending participation in joint military exercises.

http://news.yam.com/afp/international/200809/20080908551775.html
駐伊聯軍指揮官裴卓斯升官 月中移交指揮權  
法新社╱陳昶佑 2008-09-08 19:35     
 
 
（法新社巴格達七日電）駐伊拉克聯軍指揮官裴卓斯將軍的發言人今天說，裴卓斯預定十六日把美軍為首派駐伊拉克聯軍部隊指揮權移交給奧德耶諾將軍，並轉任美軍中央司令部司令；裴卓斯一手策劃大幅增兵策略，成功遏制伊拉克境內派系暴力衝突。

發言人鮑蘭上校告訴法新社：「他將於九月十六日在巴格達移交指揮權。」

鮑蘭說，裴卓斯十月底將接任中央司令部新任司令，負責指揮美軍執行從東非「非洲之角」到中亞一帶的任務，包括阿富汗與伊拉克境內正在發生的衝突。

這項預料中的指揮權移交，時機正值阿富汗境內暴力情勢如今較伊拉克嚴重，增派駐阿美軍壓力不斷升高。

原中央司令部司令法龍上將三月突然請辭，稱媒體報導指他在如何因應伊朗問題與白宮意見相左，已讓問題「失焦」，因此掛冠求去，而美國參議院七月批准由裴卓斯接任司令。

目前伊拉克境內派駐約十四萬四千名美軍，但未來數月駐軍人數可能減少。

目前伊拉克境內暴力情勢趨緩，降至四年來最低，裴卓斯離開伊拉克前，將針對裁減駐伊美軍問題向總統布希提出建言。

美國去年二月推動加派三萬美軍增兵伊拉克計畫，一手策劃增兵策略的裴卓斯隨同到任。布希政府讚揚增兵策略改善了伊拉克境內安全情勢。

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080907/pl_afp/iraqunrestuspetraeus_080907191229;_ylt=AuMha.lFsmG14BoXyJ4eCzWsOrgF
Petraeus to hand over Iraq command on Sept 16

Sun Sep 7, 3:12 PM ET

BAGHDAD (AFP) - US General David Petraeus, the man credited with curbing sectarian violence in Iraq, will hand the command of US-led forces in Iraq to General Raymond Odierno on September 16, his spokesman said Sunday.
 
"He will hand over the command on September 16 in Baghdad," Colonel Steven Boylan told AFP.

Petraeus will take over as the new chief of Central Command in late October, with responsibility for US troops from the Horn of Africa to Central Asia, including live conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, Boylan said

The expected shift will come at a time when pressure is growing to beef up the US troop presence in Afghanistan, where the level of violence is now higher than in Iraq.

In July, Petraeus was approved by the US Senate to head Central Command after Admiral William Fallon abruptly stepped down from the post in March, saying that reports describing him as at odds with the White House over how to deal with Iran had become "a distraction."

About 144,000 US soldiers are currently on the ground in Iraq but that number could decrease in coming months.

Before leaving Iraq, Petraeus will offer to US President George W. Bush his recommendations on troop cuts in Iraq amid a drop in violence which is currently at a four-year low.

Petraeus, the architect of the troop surge strategy credited by the Bush administration with improving security in Iraq, arrived here in February last year with the launch of a surge of 30,000 US troops.

Aside from having more troops at his disposal, Petraeus also embarked on a counter-insurgency strategy that underscored the importance of winning Iraqi hearts and minds.

His strategy demanded that US soldiers engage with and respect citizens while relentlessly pursuing Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups blamed for destabilising the nation of more than 26 million people.

The gains made since late last year have already allowed Washington to withdraw five combat brigades that were deployed as part of the surge.

On Thursday, in an interview with the Financial Times, Petraeus said US combat troops could be out of Baghdad by July 2009 "conditions permitting."

"The number of attacks in Baghdad lately has been, gosh, I think it's probably less than five (a day) on average, and that's a city of seven million people," he said.

He told the London-based business daily that Iraq was a "dramatically changed country" since he took over in February 2007, pointing to a "degree of hope that was not present 19 months ago."

Petraeus insisted, however, that "innumerable challenges" still remain, particularly the unresolved status of the northern oil city of Kirkuk, persistent sectarian tensions, and the continuing if diminished capabilities of Al-Qaeda.

http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2008/new/sep/8/today-int8.htm
自由時報2008年9月8日

無視禁令 英軍校讓解放軍入學
〔編譯鄭寺音／綜合報導〕英國週日泰晤士報七日報導，英國政府一年前讓一名中國人民解放軍軍官，進入知名的桑德赫斯特皇家軍事學院就讀，此舉違反歐盟禁止與中國進行軍事合作的規定，預料將引起美方反彈。

人民解放軍軍官劉流（Liu Liu，譯音），過去一整年都在桑德赫斯特軍校受訓，上個月畢業，本週將有另一名中國軍官進入桑德赫斯特就讀。

一九八九年六月四日天安門事件後，美國與歐盟國家宣布對中國實施武器禁運，其中包括禁止軍事合作。中國積極遊說放寬禁令，呼籲與歐盟及美國進行軍事與教育合作；而法國與德國等國，也希望解除禁令，因美方強烈不滿，這些國家只好打消念頭。

但英國國防部堅稱，允許中國軍官入學符合歐盟政策，並強調英國奉行嚴禁對中國武器禁運規範。由前首相布雷爾領導的工黨政府貫徹禁止與中國軍事合作政策，也沒有中國軍官在桑德赫斯特軍校受訓，更勸導歐盟國家遵守對中禁運。如今這項政策似乎已發生轉變，在野黨批評這項轉折罔顧國家安全，要求政府提出說明。

http://big5.rusnews.cn/eguoxinwen/eluosi_duiwai/20080905/42259453.html
俄國防出口公司：今年俄武器出口額不低于61億美元
 
18:08 | 2008-09-05

俄新網RUSNEWS.CN格連吉克（克拉斯諾達爾邊疆區）9月5日電 俄羅斯國防出口公司負責特殊任務的經理米哈伊爾·扎瓦利向記者表示，2008年俄羅斯計劃在國際市場上銷售不低于61億美元的武器。

扎瓦利說：“我們預計，今年全年我們在國外的武器銷售額將不低于61億美元，這是去年的銷售指標。”

他同時表示，在目前的武器出口結構中，空軍裝備占第一位，占第二位的是海軍裝備。

俄羅斯聯邦軍事合作局副局長弗拉基米爾·帕列修克向俄新社記者表示，最近幾年內海軍裝備將在俄羅斯武器出口中占到第一位，而空軍裝備將退居第二。

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080905/116580478.html
Russia plans to sell $6.1 bln worth of weaponry in 2008
18:08 | 05/ 09/ 2008

GELENDZHIK (South Russia), September 5 (RIA Novosti) - Russian arms exports may reach at least $6.1 billion by the end of 2008, a senior official at Rosoboronexport, Russia's largest state arms exporter, said on Friday.

Russia has doubled annual arms exports since 2000 to $7 billion last year, becoming the world's second-largest exporter of conventional weapons after the United States.

"We expect our arms exports to reach at least $6.1 billion this year," Mikhail Zavaliy said.

Russia exports arms to about 80 countries. Among the key buyers of Russian-made weaponry are China, India, Algeria, Venezuela, Iran, Malaysia, and Serbia.

The most popular types of weaponry bought from Russia are Sukhoi and MiG fighters, air defense systems, helicopters, battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles.

Russia also maintains traditionally strong positions in the sales of small arms, anti-tank and air-defense missile systems.

Zavaliy said that combat aircraft remain the key component of Russia's arms sales, followed by naval weaponry. Experts believe, though, that the priority may shift toward naval equipment in the near future.

The Rosoboronexport official also said that the competition between Russia and the United States on the global arms market could become more intense following the recent conflict between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia.

"In the light of the recent events I believe that the U.S. could act more aggressively on the global arms market, although we are used to Washington's attempts to 'play without rules," Zavaliy said.

In the past, Washington imposed sanctions on Rosoboronexport and other Russian companies several times, including over the sale of TOR-M1 air defense systems to Iran, despite the fact that the deals did not contradict any international agreements.

http://news.yam.com/afp/international/200809/20080907686787.html
美俄領導人針鋒相對 兩國緊張情勢再升高 
法新社╱郭無患 2008-09-07 10:20    
 
 
（法新社義大利攝諾比奧六日電）美國副總統錢尼將莫斯科當局形容為殘忍野蠻的政權，想要重新攫取蘇聯時代的主宰地位後，俄羅斯與美國為喬治亞所爆發的緊張對峙升高。

這是俄羅斯與喬治亞上個月爆發五日戰爭以來，美國行政部門最為強硬的發言，錢尼提醒西方國家擔負的「責任」，並批評俄羅斯「一連串的侵略行動」。

俄羅斯與西方國家的關係緊繃到冷戰以來最高程度之際，在錢尼發表強硬談話前數小時，俄羅斯總統麥維德夫警告說，莫斯科是一股「應予認真對待的力量」。

美國海軍地中海旗艦昨天抵達喬治亞重要港口，十分接近俄羅斯部隊巡邏的區域，麥維德夫指控美國以人道援助做幌子，重新武裝喬治亞。

麥維德夫表示：「我很想知道，如果我們派海軍送交人道援助到最近遭受颶風侵襲的加勒比海地區，不知美國作何感想」。

莫斯科質疑華府為何選派最先進的戰艦惠特尼山號運送援助物資到波蒂港，這艘軍艦是駐紮義大利的美國第六艦隊海上指揮所。

美國國務院反駁俄羅斯的指控說，惠特尼山號僅載運毯子、果汁、尿布及衛生器材等人道援助物資。

http://news.yam.com/afp/international/200809/20080907670404.html
錢尼呼籲北約團結對抗俄羅斯威脅民主 
法新社╱簡長盛 2008-09-07 03:20     
 
 
（法新社義大利攝諾比奧六日電）美國副總統錢尼今天呼籲北大西洋公約組織團結一致，對抗俄羅斯對民主的威脅，他並且將目前的俄羅斯政府形容為一個以重獲蘇聯時代優勢地位為目標的殘酷政權。

錢尼在自從俄羅斯上個月為了尋求脫離喬治亞獨立的南歐希夏而與喬治亞發生五日戰爭以來，美國政府官員所發表的最強硬措辭中，提醒西方國家它們應有的責任，並且抨擊俄羅斯最近「一連串的侵略性行動」。

在錢尼發表這項強硬談話之前幾小時，俄羅斯總統麥維德夫才警告說，俄羅斯具有「舉足輕重的力量」。俄羅斯和西方國家之間正處於自從冷戰以來從來沒有過的高度緊張狀態。

錢尼這個星期已訪問過亞塞拜然、喬治亞和烏克蘭表達美國對它們的支持，他今天在一項有世界政治和金融領袖參加的集會中說：「俄羅斯可以作選擇，而在這個大西洋聯盟中的我們也有責任。」

他說：「我們主要是需要統一目標。」
 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080906/pl_afp/russiageorgiaconflictusnato_080906173900;_ylt=AkSsXEhLuXkPiARnjvrFs7msOrgF
Cheney rallies NATO to ward off Russian power grab

by Kerry Sheridan
Sat Sep 6, 1:39 PM ET

CERNOBBIO, Italy (AFP) - Casting Moscow as a brutal regime that aims to recapture its Soviet-era dominance, US Vice President Dick Cheney on Saturday urged NATO to stand together against threats to democracy.
 
In the US administration's most hawkish tone since Russia's five-day war with Georgia last month over breakaway territory, Cheney reminded the West of its "responsibilities" and slammed Russia's "chain of aggressive moves."

Cheney's tough talk came hours after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned that Moscow was a "force to be reckoned with," as tensions between Russia and the West soared to heights unseen since the Cold War.

"Russia has a choice to make, and we in the transatlantic alliance have responsibilities," Cheney told a gathering of world political and financial leaders in Italy, after visiting Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine this week to pledge US support.

"Our prevailing need is for unity of purpose," he said.

"We know that if one country is allowed to unilaterally redraw the borders of another, it will happen -- and it will happen again. We know that if we permit a new line to be drawn across Europe, that line will be drawn."

Cheney hailed the demise of the Soviet Union as a historic milestone for freedom and said that although the West had left those days behind, Russia appeared to seek a return to the Soviet era.

"At times it appears that Russian policy is based upon the desire to impose its will on countries it once dominated, instead of any balanced assessment of security interests," Cheney said.

He also said Russia was defying its responsibilities under a French-brokered ceasefire for Georgia and declared Russia was on an "opposite course" from the West.

"Though aware of these responsibilities, Russia has yet to meet them. Indeed, it has taken the opposite course, by recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states," Cheney said.

Cheney pointed to Russia's military action over the rebel region of South Ossetia, as well as Russian arms sales to Middle East militants, its energy prowess in the region, threats against NATO-member Poland and its defiance of a French-brokered ceasefire accord.

"Recent occurrences in Georgia, beginning with the military invasion by Russia, have been flatly contrary to some of our most deeply held beliefs," Cheney said.

"Russian forces crossed an internationally recognized border, into a sovereign state; fueled and fomented an internal conflict; conducted acts of war without regard for innocent life," he said.

"All this against a nation that has a democratically elected government and an orientation towards the West," Cheney added.

"This chain of aggressive moves and diplomatic reversals has only intensified the concern that many have about Russia's larger objectives. For brutality against a neighbor is simply the latest in a succession of troublesome and unhelpful actions by the Russian government," he said.

Cheney's trip is part of US diplomatic push to advance NATO membership talks for Georgia and Ukraine, which Russia opposes, and to press for alternate oil and gas pipelines so that the region is less dependent on Russian energy.

"In Central Asia, the Caucasus and beyond Russia has continued to use energy as a tool of force and manipulation," Cheney said.

He also accused Russia of selling "advanced weapons" to Syria and Iran.

"Some of the Russian weapons sold to Damascus have been channeled to terrorist fighters in Lebanon and Iraq," he said, warning that Russian arms deals in the Middle East "has endangered the prospects for peace and freedom in the region."

The United States led Western condemnation of Russia's military action in Georgia. This week it announced a one-billion-dollar aid package to help the country rebuild infrastructure and care for displaced people.

Russia has sought to rally ex-Soviet allies to its side and ratcheted up anti-US rhetoric, while maintaining what it calls peacekeepers inside Georgian territory.

Earlier in Moscow, Medvedev renewed accusations that the United States was rearming Georgia under the guise of humanitarian aid and warned: "Russia is a state that has to be reckoned with from now on."

Cheney delivered his address after talks with world leaders including Israeli President Shimon Peres and former Spanish president Jose Aznar at the Ambrosetti forum near Lake Como.

On his tour of Baku, Tbilisi and Kiev this week, he pledged Washington's "deep and abiding interest" in those countries' "well being and security."

http://udn.com/NEWS/WORLD/WOR6/4503242.shtml
美海外軍售 年增45%

【聯合晚報╱路透華盛頓三日電】 2008.09.04 02:55 pm

五角大廈國防安全合作署官員珍‧法默說，預計本會計年度的美國政府海外軍售總值將達到約340億美元，比前一年增加45%以上。美國2008會計年度將在本月底結束。

法默說，本會計年度傳統武器的最大政府買主是阿富汗、沙烏地阿拉伯、摩洛哥、埃及和伊拉克。

海外軍售是美國外交政策的主要工具，也是國防包商的財源，包括洛克希德馬丁公司、波音公司 、諾斯洛普格魯曼公司、通用動力公司、雷神公司。

國防安全合作署的資料顯示，2007會計年度的海外軍售總額為233億美元，比2006會計年度的210億元增加。

法默是在華府舉行的ComDef 2008國際國防工業會議上透露前述數字。她並表示，國防安全合作署已在全球反恐戰爭和國家安全扮演更重要的角色。

她說，國防安全合作署目前與207個國家合作，到上個月為止，進行中的軍售案總值2743億美元，包括已經交貨但仍有其他選項的軍售案。

美國的傳統武器軍售案都是透過國防部的「對外軍售計畫」(Foreign Military Sales program)進行。

【2008/09/04 聯合晚報】

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080904/pl_nm/arms_usa_dc_1
U.S. says its arms exports boomed this year

By Jim Wolf
Wed Sep 3, 9:07 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. government-brokered overseas arms sales are expected to total about $34 billion in the current fiscal year, up more than 45 percent from the year before, the Pentagon agency in charge said on Wednesday.
 
"Our program is growing by leaps and bounds," Jeanne Farmer of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency told an international defense industry conference.

Among the biggest government-to-government buyers in fiscal 2008, which wraps up at the end of this month, were Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt and Iraq, Farmer said.

Overseas arms sales are a key instrument of U.S. foreign policy as well as a boon to defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin Corp, Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman Corp, General Dynamics Corp and Raytheon Co.

In fiscal 2007, such sales totaled $23.3 billion, up from $21 billion in fiscal 2006, according to the security agency's figures.

Farmer, at the conference known as ComDef 2008, said her agency was playing a growing role in the U.S.-declared global war on terrorism and national security.

The security agency was currently working with 207 countries and had 12,262 "open cases" totaling $274.3 billion as of last month, she said. Open cases include those in which orders have been filled but which could still involve exercise of options among other things.

"In the current environment, everybody needs everything right now," Farmer said. "We do expect to continue to have large, large sales."

The United States carries out government-to-government conventional arms transfers through the Defense Department's Foreign Military Sales program, which operates on a no-profit, no-loss basis.

In 2007, the Pentagon notified Congress of more than $39 billion in such potential sales to 23 countries and Chinese-claimed Taiwan, including some funded by grant aid.

This year's notifications are expected to be a record high, led by Iraq. Not all notifications result in final sales such as those now being reported for this year. Buyers pay a fee, currently 3.8 percent of the cost of the purchase, to cover the cost of administering the program.

The U.S. government says arms sales strengthen U.S. national security by tightening bilateral defense ties, supporting coalitions and enhancing U.S. ability to operate with foreign militaries.

Critics say booming sales reflect a failure of U.S. diplomacy and show a need for the United States to rethink how it handles foreign policy.

"Instead of spending millions or billions of dollars on weaponry, many U.S. arms customers should be funding education, health, and infrastructure programs that would go much further in improving the long-term stability of their countries," said Wade Boese, research director of the Arms Control Association, a nonpartisan group aimed at curbing the spread of weapons.

(Reporting by Jim Wolf; editing by Carol Bishopric)

http://news.yam.com/afp/international/200808/20080826379135.html
俄國暫停與北約合作　推遲北約秘書長訪問 
法新社╱楊一峰 2008-08-26 20:50     
 
 
（法新社莫斯科二十六日電）俄羅斯駐北大西洋公約組織大使羅戈辛今天說，俄國暫停與北約組織在系列議題的的合作，同時也延後北約祕書長斯海佛的訪問。

斯海佛原訂十月訪問俄國，但羅戈辛表示：「此事的時間將延後，直到我們和北約就雙方關係達成新的諒解。」