U.S. urges Russia and Myanmar to reconsider fighter jet deal

[misskit]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States called on Russia and Myanmar on Thursday to reconsider a reported agreement for the supply of Russian fighter planes to the Southeast Asian country.


Russian media quoted the Defense Ministry in Moscow as saying this week that Russia would sell six SU-30 planes to Myanmar. The RIA news agency said Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, was interested in buying other Russian military hardware for its land and naval forces.


“We’ve seen some new troubling media reports that Russia intends to sell SU-30 fighter jets to the Burmese armed forces,” U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told a news briefing.



“The reports, if confirmed, serve as another reminder of Russia’s continued efforts to arm militaries that flagrantly violate human rights,” she said.


Nauert referred to the Myanmar military’s treatment of minority Rohingya Muslims in the country’s Rakhine State, which had prompted the flight of 680,000 to Bangladesh.


”While the Russian Federation says it favors constructive dialogue to resolve the crisis in Burma, the reports of plans to sell advanced military technology, if true, show otherwise.


“We urge the governments of both Russia and Burma to reconsider a further buildup in arms and fully commit their efforts to finding a peaceful and stable solution to that crisis,” she said.



The Myanmar military cracked down last year in the northern part of Rakhine State in response to militant attacks on security forces.


The United States previously urged countries to suspend arms sales to Myanmar in response to the crackdown.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-u...-idUSKBN1FE2ZB

[Norton]

We’ve seen some new troubling media reports that Russia intends to sell SU-30 fighter jets to the Burmese armed forces,

Troubling? No more troubling than the US selling fighters to Thailand or any other country. Buying Russian fighters makes sense for Myanmar as they already have Russian aircraft and benefit from common logistics support.

Like most countries, Myanmar needs new fighters ike they need a hole in the head but the generals must have their toys.

[misskit]

^Did the US tighten up on arms sales to Thailand since the junta took over? Can Trump's deal with Thailand go through?

[Norton]

Did the US tighten up on arms sales to Thailand since the junta took over?

Somewhat but not much. Immediately after the coup US suspended a few million in training and support aid to Thailand. Now a bit harder for US companies to get export licenses but still do so.

Can Trump's deal with Thailand go through?

What deal? The only large deal I'm aware of is the Blackhawks. Already approved as a government to government sale.

[misskit]

This

US Approves New Thailand Military Sale Under Trump

Possible arms sale speaks to ongoing developments in the defense realm between the two sides in spite of irritants.

https://thediplomat.com/2017/08/us-a...e-under-trump/

[VocalNeal]

I can't see how the sale of six hi-tech fighter jets has anything to do with Rohingya, the US or anyone else. I mean they could just as easily buy them from India? Six aircraft hardly gives Russia a foothold in S.E. Asia?

Might be obvious and maybe staring me in the face but can't help wondering if the Rakine State thing is an attempt to mitigate the possibility of an ISIS type conflict in their north. They will have seen what is happening in the southern Philippines etc. Their response was to forcibly evict those who could have been used/manipulated by terrorists groups.

[Norton]

US Approves New Thailand Military Sale Under Trump

Yes the Harpoon sale will go through.

[birding]

Could it possibly be that the US was attempting to sell planes to Burma but Russia gave a better deal and secured the contract.

Or is it just that every possible opportunity must be taken to vilify Russia to reinforce their status as a dreaded enemy.

[Norton]

No and yes respectively.

[Klondyke]

U.S. urges Russia and Myanmar to reconsider fighter jet deal

Wondering whether there have ever been such case that a state urges USA to reconsider arms sale to anybody? (even if a sale to a "freedom" opposition fighting an oppressive tyrannic dictator)...

[Dragonfly]

“The reports, if confirmed, serve as another reminder of Russia’s continued efforts to arm militaries that flagrantly violate human rights,” she said.

the US sure loves his share of irony and hypocrisy in this world

[pseudolus]

militaries that flagrantly violate human rights,

Hell! Are the Merkins buying Russian kit then? Be that they are the country who most regularly violate human rights globally, UK and France second with the Sauds?