Jordan: Suspension of U.S. Military Assistance During Gulf Crisis
NSIAD-92-343
Published: Sep 25, 1992. Publicly Released: Oct 02, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO: (1) reviewed the policy related to the delivery of defense articles to Jordan under the security assistance program; (2) determined whether deliveries were terminated at any time; (3) identified the number and types of defense articles that were delivered; (4) identified defense articles procured, but not delivered, and their current status; and (5) examined whether Congress was adequately informed of these actions.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State | To minimize the risk of the unauthorized export of defense articles when it is determined that a suspension of deliveries is warranted, the Secretary of State should require the Office of Defense Trade Controls to immediately notify applicants and licensees, such as freight forwarders, of all license suspensions in accordance with section 126.7 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. This step would clarify whether or not a suspension has been placed in effect. |
Closed – Not Implemented
State argues that it followed regulations and acted in accordance with ITAR. State believes that it is not required to notify the freight forwarder of suspensions. GAO's position is that the freight forwarder functions as a licensee and is party to the export. The recommendation should be closed because State Department officials have stated that they are under no obligation to notify licensees of a license suspension unless the suspension will be in effect for an extended period. The officials have argued that the Jordan suspension was "informal" and therefore required no notification.
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| Other | The Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs and the Director, DSAA, should jointly develop procedures for quickly and effectively implementing suspensions of foreign military assistance. Such procedures would prevent delays in implementation of State Department policy. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD agrees with the recommendation. As a result of a State Department review, new mechanisms have been put in place, including a record of all decisions to suspend transfers of military assistance and a standardized format for communicating those decisions. Since the time of the Jordan suspension, State has established a computer database that contains all significant decisions affecting the status of security assistance programs for any country. Such improved operating procedures are reflected in the effective implementation of suspending military assistance to Peru as dicussed in the report.
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| Bureau of Political-Military Affairs | The Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs and the Director, DSAA, should jointly develop procedures for quickly and effectively implementing suspensions of foreign military assistance. Such procedures would prevent delays in implementation of State Department policy. |
Closed – Implemented
State agrees with the recommendation and has put in place new mechanisms including a record of all decisions to suspend transfers of military assistance and a standardized format for communicating these decisions. Since the time of the Jordan suspension, State has established a computerized database that provides the status of security assistance programs for a country. Such improved operating procedures are reflected in the effective implementation of suspending military assistance to Peru as discussed in the report. To date, however, State has not provided documentation in support of these actions.
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Topics
AmmunitionForeign military arms salesForeign military sales policiesHelicoptersMilitary aircraftMilitary materielNoncomplianceSpare partsGulf WarMilitary forces