A decision by the Clinton Administration to ease a two-decades-old ban on the sale of advanced US weaponry to Latin America has been attacked by opponents within US Congress, who vow to redouble their efforts to stop such sales.
The White House announced on 1 August that the sale of modern US weapons, such as advanced fighters, to Latin American nations will be considered on a "case-by-case" basis. Former US President Carter in 1978 imposed an out-right ban on such sales, citing human-rights concerns.
The White House now says that "-it is in America's national security interest" to support modernisation neighbouring defence establishments.
The move to liberalise advanced arms sales to Latin America drew fire from US legislators who are seeking to restore the sales restrictions. Legislation would bar such weapons transfers in the same way that the Pressler Amendment blocked delivery of Lockheed Martin F-16s to Pakistan.
Chile may purchase up to 48 new fighters, and candidates include the F-16, the McDonnell Douglas (MDC) F-18, the Dassault Mirage 2000 and the Saab JAS39 Gripen. "We think Latin America will be a good market," says Boeing president, former MDC chief executive Harry Stonecipher.
Source: Flight International
