<div dir="ltr"><br><div>It's an absolutely typical response from Dick Durbin. Very diplomatic, actually says precisely nothing of substance.</div><div><br></div><div>He's still far better than a Republican.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Aug 24, 2016 at 5:25 PM, Robert Naiman via Peace <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:peace@lists.chambana.net" target="_blank">peace@lists.chambana.net</a>></span> wrote:</div><div class="gmail_quote"><br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div bgcolor="white" lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:black">From: </span>
</b><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:black">"Senator Richard J. Durbin" <<a href="mailto:correspondence_reply@durbin.senate.gov" target="_blank">correspondence_reply@durbin.s<wbr>enate.gov</a>></span></p><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #b5c4df 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:black">
<b>Date: </b>Monday, August 22, 2016 at 3:47 PM<br><b>Subject: </b>Message from Senator Richard J. Durbin<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p>August 22, 2016<u></u><u></u></p>
<p>Dear X:<br></p><p><u></u></p>
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Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia. I appreciate hearing from you.<u></u><u></u></p>
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The U.S. export control system is enforced by several federal agencies. Items with both civilian and military applications, called "dual-use" goods, are licensed by the Department of Commerce while munitions are licensed by the Department of State.
Restrictions on exports are administered by the U.S. Treasury.<u></u><u></u></p>
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Saudi Arabia is an important American ally with which we share many common concerns, including countering the Islamic State and the ongoing conflict in Syria. However, I also remain concerned about human rights in Saudi Arabia, as well as the country's
intolerant teachings and involvement in Yemen. <br>
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While in Congress, I have advocated for greater accountability in our relationship with Saudi Arabia as well as improvements in human rights. I have sent letters to the Saudi Government and met with the Saudi Ambassador to the United States to call
for the release of many political prisoners. I have also called on the Saudis to implement reforms to better uphold the rights of women, religious minorities, foreign workers, and others.<u></u><u></u></p>
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Ensuring that military-grade international arms are sold only to legitimate governments or organizations is a paramount national security concern for the United States. I will continue to monitor events in Saudi Arabia and will keep your thoughts
in mind as the United States considers policies toward that nation.<u></u><u></u></p>
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Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to keep in touch.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> Sincerely,<br>
<img width="182" height="49" src="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/Customers/SenDurbin/Sen_Signature.PNG"><br>
Richard J. Durbin<br>
United States Senator<u></u><u></u></p>
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RJD/jg<u></u><u></u></p>
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