Bahrain Security Assistance

Taken Question
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC

Question Taken at the January 27, 2012 Daily Press Briefing

January 27, 2012

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Question: Has the State Department sent a revised Bahrain arms sale package to Congress?

Answer: We are maintaining a pause on most security assistance for Bahrain pending further progress on reform.

During the last two weeks, representatives from the State Department and Department of Defense briefed appropriate Congressional staff on our intention to release some previously notified equipment needed for Bahrain’s external defense and support of Fifth Fleet operations. This includes spare parts and maintenance of equipment. None of these items can be used against protestors.

This isn’t a new sale nor are we using a legal loophole. The items that we briefed to Congress were notified and cleared by the Hill previously or are not large enough to require Congressional notification. In fact, we’ve gone above and beyond what is legally or customarily required by consulting with Congressional staff on items that do not require Congressional notification.

We have and will continue to use our security assistance to reinforce reforms in Bahrain. We have seen some important initial steps from the Bahraini government in implementing the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry’s (BICI) recommendations, but more needs to be done. We urge the government of Bahrain to take action on the full range of recommendations that we believe will help lay the foundation for longer-term reform and reconciliation.

We will continue to consult extensively with Congress on this policy.

ENDS

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