German arms to Saudi Arabia dictatorship

This video is called Saudi soldiers entering Bahrain to support dictator.

By Dietmar Henning in Germany:

German arms to Saudi Arabia

16 July 2011

For the past two weeks the German government and opposition have been arguing over the approval of tank sales to Saudi Arabia. The opposition is using the issue to put pressure on the government, but is trying to hide the fact that when it was in government arms exports to the sheikdom rose considerably.

The tank deal is part of an arms race between all the leading industrial nations for influence in this oil-rich region. At the same time, the Saudi kingdom is being bolstered as a bulwark against Iran and the rebellions throughout North Africa and the Middle East.

Der Spiegel reported on 2 July that, in a secret meeting of the parliamentary security committee, the government had agreed to the sale of 200 “Leopard” tanks to Saudi Arabia. Based on information from Saudi security circles, Reuters news agency reported that 44 tanks had already been bought from Germany. The value of the tanks is estimated at €1.7 billion. The Leopard tanks are being built by the German arms companies Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall. In addition, many suppliers are involved.

The manufacturers advertise the latest model as a “battle tank of the 21st century,” which provides the “right answer” to “asymmetric threats, for example, terrorists, IED’s [Improvised Explosive Devices] or individuals.” In addition to a machine gun and searchlight, the Leopard also posses a “clearance plow,” which can be used to clear away cars, and, if necessary, mass demonstrations.

Finance daily Handelsblatt reported on 3 July that the government has also concluded an arms deal with Algeria worth billions. Over the next ten years, ten billion euros worth of military equipment will be shipped to Algeria, with some being built in joint ventures, including “Fox” armored personnel carriers, heavy goods vehicles, off-road vehicles and frigates. A central component of the deal will be the production of defence electronics and security equipment for border protection.

Calling a vehicle of death and destruction “Fox” is an insult to those interesting mammals. However, it fits in with maybe Warmonger #1 in the world, Rupert Murdoch of “Fox” “News”, whose empire is crumbling now as its crimes are being revealed.

The Arab Spring uprisings have seen regimes in the Middle East and North Africa turn weapons against their own people. According to a report by Amnesty International, Germany is among the countries at blame: here.

Huge protests took place across Egypt on Friday, as thousands gathered to oppose military government and demand the prosecution of officials: here.