US looks to arm Gulf states against Iran

5/19/2006 REUTERS - Iran’s neighbours — including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE — are talking to the United States about ways to bolster their defences, the general in charge of US arms sales said on Thursday.

“We’re in discussion with their services and their leaders to see what capabilities are required and how the US can best fulfill those needs,” said Kohler, who heads the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which handles US government-to-government arms sales.

Kohler’s organization oversaw $10.6bn in US government arms sales last year and is on track to approve about about $13bn this year, he said.

“Our job is not to rack up sales,” Kohler added. “Our job is to help people get the capabilities they need.”

Asked which Middle East countries were involved in talks sparked by Iran concerns, he said: “Let’s just say everybody that is not Iran.”