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By Vago Muradian
WASHINGTON--Citing ongoing military operations against Afghanistan, the Defense Department on Wednesday "issued guidance" that it would not participate in the upcoming Dubai arms show in the United Arab Emirates early next month, according to sources.
Most U.S. contractors, however, are expected to exhibit their wares at what is one of the world's leading weapons expositions, these sources added.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Tome Walters, the director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, explained the decision in an interdepartmental memo, and asked the U.S. embassy in the UAE. Walters requested the embassy in Abu Dhabi "to extend USG (U.S. government) and DoD regrets to senior UAE leaders for our inability to participate this year. Please convey the importance we place on this important airshow and our hopes and expectations for a robust U.S. presence in the future...