The Hindu : International : "Decision not yet taken on F-16s for Pakistan"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 15, 2005

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International

"Decision not yet taken on F-16s for Pakistan"

B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD: The U.S. Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld, has reiterated the U.S. commitment to "broaden and deepen its strategic relationship" with Pakistan. Mr. Rumsfeld flew in here on Wednesday night and met the President, Pervez Musharraf. Afghanistan and India-Pakistan peace process figured in the talks.

A U.S. official has been quoted as saying the two leaders discussed Pakistan's purchase of the U.S. F-16 aircraft. He said no decision had been taken on the number of F-16s Pakistan would buy, or when they might be delivered. Jeff Kohler, head of the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which handles foreign arms sales, was in Pakistan on Thursday to discuss the issue, he said. Asked if Pakistan would seek to buy the most advanced version of the F-16, the official said: "I don't know. The [U.S.] staff people are assessing what they want."

In a statement on Thursday's talks with Mr. Kohler, the Pakistani Defence Ministry said: "The early delivery of hi-tech F-16 aircraft capable of firing AMRAAM [advanced medium range air-to-air missile] ... needed to be expedited." Pakistan was also seeking AIM-9M missiles, which can also be installed on F-16s, TOW-II missiles, C-130 aircraft, 155 mm howitzers and TPS-77 radars, the ministry said.

An official statement said Mr. Rumsfeld expressed "appreciation" for Pakistan's important role in promoting regional peace and stability and its critical cooperation in the global war on terrorism.

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