In our effort to prevent the spread of communism, the United States provided weapons through foreign aid and through sales to countries that were not democracies and did not protect human rights. This included Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, El Salvador, Panama, Indonesia and Somalia.
We need to change the focus of our foreign policy. The Cold War is over. We can use different criteria in determining whether countries should be the recipients of military aid or weapons sales.Sen. Mark Hatfield, R-Ore., and Rep. Cynthia McKinney, D-Ga., have introduced legislation that would require Congress to approve weapons sales and military aid to countries that are undemocratic, do not adequately protect human rights, are engaged in acts of armed aggression or are not fully participating in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms.
This bill would be a giant step forward in involving Congress in the proliferation of weapons.
Currently, when the U.S. president wants to sell weapons to a country that is controlled by its military, Congress must act to block the weapons delivery and then the president can veto the legislation blocking the arms sale. When Congress does nothing, the sale goes through. If the Hatfield and McKinney act becomes law, no transfer of weapons could occur, even if Congress did nothing.
If this bill becomes law, U.S. foreign policy will more accurately reflect treasured American values of democracy and freedom.
Deb Sawyer
Salt Lake City