Saudis Acknowledge Arms Discussions, Deny Quid Pro Quo Reports

RAF Eurofighter(click to view full) Last week, DID noted an article in The Guardian newspaper alleging that a GBP 40 billion arms deal including Eurofighter aircraft was facing obstancles due to “tricky favours” the Saudis were asking in return. Agence France Presse recently reported Saudi Arabia’s denial that it was engaged in secret negotiations with Britain: “…But the British side has openly expressed a desire to supply Saudi Arabia with these planes, like any of the many friendly countries which produce sophisticated weapons systems,” said a Saudi spokesman. He also said “the Saudi government did not ask for or receive any official or unofficial offer from the British side on this subject.”