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AIA Executive Committee Endorses U.S.-UK Defense Treaty

September 28, 2007

The Senate should approve the U.S./UK Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty to improve our military relationship with our closest ally, AIA President and CEO John Douglass said Friday. AIA's executive committee reviewed the treaty language submitted to the Senate last week and concluded the agreement will strengthen the important and unique strategic relationship between the U.S. and the UK -- our largest defense trading partner -- as we confront the security challenges of today and tomorrow, Douglass said. "Facilitating defense trade and technology cooperation with our closest friends and allies is critical to assuring our national security and furthering our country's foreign policy interests," the committee said in a collective statement. "By making it easier to construct and execute strategic partnerships, the treaty will help the aerospace and defense industry better support our war-fighters with the best technology for the best price. It is a good first step on the road to a more comprehensive reform of export controls." Douglass said AIA would continue to engage and support the treaty as the two nations develop related implementing arrangements. A full list of the members of the executive committee is available at http://www.aia-aerospace.org/about/management/bog.cfm