US accepts $400mn Qatari jet to be used as Air Force One

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The Pentagon has officially accepted a 400 million luxury jumbo jet provided by Qatar that will be used as a US president’s aircraft despite bilateral concerns about ethics and protection.

Donald Trump wants the aircraft to be used as one of the air force when finishing Boeing Two new jets that have long been delayedHowever, the gift needs to be corrected before the President flying.

“Boeing 747 from the Defense Secretary Rhythm According to all the federal rules and rules, “Chief Pentagon spokesman Shan Parnell said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The Defense Department Work to ensure proper security measures and the requirements of effective missions for the aircraft used for transportation of the United States President will be considered. ”

A Air Force spokesman says “It is preparing to provide an agreement to amend a Boeing 747 aircraft for Executive Airlift. The details related to the contract have been classified.” The Air Force, which is responsible for the re -construction of the aircraft, did not answer the question of how long it would take to finish the process.

A person has briefed the discussion that the agreement was not finalized, adding that “details are being done” even after the official accepting the aircraft in the United States.

Democrats have criticized the Jet’s acceptance. US Congress Female Kelly Morrison describes this gift ”Altercation“.

Senator Tamie Duckworth, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on Tuesday that receiving this national gift from the foreign government there was “extremely practical operational protection risk” and he was concerned about the pressure you might be anxious to overcome “operational protection.” The Senator Magi Hirno, who is also sitting on the committee, says Trump is using “using DOD to use it, you can also call it a launder, a unnatural gift for a constitutional constraint skirt”.

Some Republicans have expressed similar concerns. Senator Susan Collins told NBC News last week, “The transaction struck me with political spy, moral and constitutional problems.”

During a bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramafosa at the Oval Office, Trump said on Wednesday to accept Boeing 777. He also said that the plane is being given “Not me, [but] The United States Air Force so that they can help us, because we need an Air Force One.

Last week, Trump said that “fool” would be called “” we don’t want a free, very expensive aircraft “.

The US President also took a swep to be “a little late” to supply the two Air Force One Jets to Boeing, which is behind the schedule. The space and defense agency noticed Trump’s fuel for a long time.

While testifying in front of the Armed Service Committee on Tuesday, the new Air Force Secretary Troy Mink said the aircraft needed “significant changes” to become the new Air Force but the Air Force was well positioned to make the necessary changes.

Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani defended his government’s move on Tuesday. Insisted it wasn’t bribery And said that the system was “a common thing that happens in allies”. “I don’t know why people are thinking that it is considered a bribe or … Qatar wants to buy influence with this administration.”

An additional report of Andrew England in London