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While Dubya preached democracy to sell his “war on terror,” the U.S. was busy exporting a terror of its own in the form of beefed-up arms shipments to brutal regimes the world over. All in the name of the victims of 9/11.
Egypt
The deal: The biggest recipient of U.S. military aid in the Middle East after Israel, in 2001 the Arab republic received $77 million in assistance to overhaul 201 155mm howitzers, plus 240 bulldozers worth $98 million.
On the table:
53 Harpoon missiles, four Phalanx close-in weapons systems, 50,000 rounds of 20mm ammunition, four Harpoon Shipboard Command launch control systems
Upgrades for six CH-47C Chinook cargo helicopters
Six new airborne reconnaissance system pods for existing F-16 aircraft
The record: Thousands of suspected supporters of banned Islamist groups held without charges or trials. Torture is widespread. Human Rights Watch condemned the seven-year prison sentence handed down against human rights activist Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim this summer as a measure aimed at silencing criticism of the government.
Pakistan
The deal: Uncle Sam lifted military trade sanctions against Pakistan and agreed to provide $73 million for “border security,” including six Apache helicopters and spare parts for F-16 fighter jets.
On the table: $155 million worth of radar equipment
The record: General Pervez Musharraf continues to crack down on political opponents and journalists in the name of anti-terrorism. According to Amnesty International, in 2001 at least 40 people died in custody after being tortured. Amnesty was also critical last month of the fact that Musharraf has allowed tribal justice to run rampant over human rights.
Philippines
The deal: The U.S. has offered the government over $100 million worth of excess military equipment, including helicopters, transport planes and 30,000 M16 rifles.
The record: Arbitrary arrests, torture, extra-judicial executions and disappearances are common in the army’s U.S.-backed war against terrorism. Amnesty has also been critical of president Arroyo’s reluctance to abolish the death penalty.
Indonesia
The deal: In late 2001, the U.S. lifted the ban on the sale of military equipment that the Clinton administration had imposed in 1999.
The record: Human rights defenders are among the victims of extrajudicial execution, disappearances, torture and unlawful arrests aimed at independence movements in the provinces of Aceh and Papua. Last month, a tribunal acquitted six of seven defendants accused of gross human rights violations in East Timor. The U.S. state department said it was “disappointed that prosecutors did not fully use the resources and evidence available to them from the UN and elsewhere in documenting the atrocities.”
Oman
The deal:
12 F-16 fighter jets
dozens of Sidewinder, Maverick, Harpoon and advanced medium range air-to-air missiles
100 Paveway II bombs
80 Joint Direct Attack munitions
The record: Although Amnesty notes some reforms to its judicial system, in 2001 15 men were executed after being convicted of murder or drug trafficking. Amnesty notes that “procedures… may have fallen short of international standards for fair trial.”
Uzbekistan
The deal: Military training with the promise of arms to come in exchange for political and military support in the region, including the use of former Soviet military bases
The record: 22 death sentences were handed down last year after unfair trials. Muslim opponents are imprisoned and tortured.
United Arab Emirates
The deal: 12 RGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles, worth $40 million
On the table: 237 Evolved Seasparrow missiles, upgrades for 30 Apache helicopters
The record: Scores of nationals were arrested post-9/11. Dozens were released by the end of 2001. Others are still being held amid reports of torture.
Tajikistan
The deal: The U.S. lifted its arms sale embargo in January in return for the use of air bases to launch strikes over Afghanistan, but so far the country lacks the money to buy sophisticated U.S. weaponry.
The record: 74 people were sentenced to death in 2001. Afghan refugees allege being beaten by police to extort bribes. Amnesty has criticized the secret trial of Rahmatullo Tashripov, who was sentenced to death in June for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
Sources: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency