FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 19, 2008

GAO Provides Voice of Reason against Misguided Decision

WASHINGTON – The Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF) today praised the United States Government Accountability Office for its announcement yesterday upholding Boeing’s protest against the Air Force’s aerial refueling tanker contract decision.

Boeing protested the Air Force’s decision that wrongly awarded the tanker contract to a consortium lead by EADS, the parent company of French Airbus.

“The GAO is clearly the voice of reason against this misguided decision,” said Jeffrey Mazzella, CFIF’s President. “It confirms that the Air Force’s decision making process with regard to this contract for critical U.S. military equipment was flawed and must be corrected.”

In its ruling, the GAO sustained Boeing’s protest for seven key reasons, including cost, unequal discussions and performance. Additionally, the GAO recommended that the Air Force should re-open the bidding process for the aerial refueling tanker.

“Not only was the process unfair, but awarding a military contract of this magnitude to a company owned in part by foreign governments is a serious threat to our national security,” continued Mr. Mazzella. “The United States cannot afford to have critical military equipment manufactured by foreign governments that do not always support our nation’s interests.”

“The GAO’s decision certainly proves that the Air Forced erred in its selection of the EADS tanker. The Air Force must comply with the GAO’s recommendation to re-open the bidding process, and select the best tanker for our military and our country. Clearly, the EADS tanker is not the best.” concluded Mr. Mazzella.