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WikiLeaks: US Diplomats Help Boeing Sales

   VOA News 03 January 2011
   The  new  arrivals terminal in Doha International Airport in Qatar, on
   its  opening  day Dec 18 2010. Qatar Airways' CEO expressed confidence
   in  Boeing  Co.  over its delayed 787 program Saturday, but warned the
   fast-growing carrier may need to cancel orders fo

   The  new  arrivals terminal in Doha International Airport in Qatar, on
   its  opening  day Dec 18 2010. Qatar Airways' CEO expressed confidence
   in  Boeing  Co.  over its delayed 787 program Saturday, but warned the
   fast-growing  carrier  may  need  to  cancel  orders for the planes if
   development problems persist (File Photo)

   New  revelations  from  WikiLeaks show haggling between U.S. diplomats
   and foreign governments over sales of high-tech products worth tens of
   billions of dollars that support thousands of American jobs.
   An  article Monday in The New York Times quotes U.S. diplomatic cables
   made  available  through  the  controversial  WikiLeaks  website.  The
   incidents  are  not  surprising,  but this report shows the process in
   greater detail than ever before.
   The  Times  article  focuses  particularly on diplomatic aid to Boeing
   Aircraft as it competes with European rival Airbus.
   In one case, the cables say the Saudi king made it clear he would view
   a  Boeing  sale more favorably if his personal jet were outfitted with
   the  same  high-tech telecommunications and defensive devices found on
   Air Force One, the U.S. presidential aircraft.
   Other  nations sought landing rights in New York, help for air safety,
   or  a  chance  for an astronaut to join a U.S. space flight as part of
   the bargain to approve the purchase of U.S.-made planes.
   The  Times  says diplomats reported these requests and Washington took
   action on some of them.
   It  quotes  an  analyst  who  has  done  work for Airbus as saying the
   diplomatic  aid  undermines Washington's contention that Airbus get an
   unfair  level of government aid. The Times also noted that Airbus gets
   diplomatic  help,  including  a  proposed  international  visit by the
   French president in one case.
   Moreover,  the article reported U.S. diplomats turned away requests to
   hire  "agents" who charge steep commissions to help gain access to top
   officials.
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