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US to consider supply of necessary weapons to Pakistan: Armitage

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, July 15, IRNA -- The United States will consider providing 
weapons to Pakistan to alleviate any security gap to deal with 
terrorism, visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said
on Thursday. 
Armitage was responding to questions by reporters after holding 
talks with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar in Islamabad. 
"The foreign secretary also raised the matter of arms delivery 
with me and I told him that I will certainly look into it," he said 
when his attention was drawn towards concern by some Pakistani 
officials about the security gap due to lack of weapons. 
"I was however pleased recently with the delivery, particularly of
helicopters, and some more will be done in future which helped 
alleviate the gap that exists. The business is to do much with what we
can do to help to be able to take care of our own security in 
Pakistan," the US official said. 
He said the United States was provided with a list of equipment 
sometime ago by the Government of Pakistan and Washington is 
reviewing it. 
"The foreign secretary asked for a little speed up in the process 
and we will be able to do it," Armitage said. 
Asked if Pakistan can hope to get any advance weapons system after
the country was given the status of close non-NATO ally he said, "It 
also depends what the need of the Pakistan military is as judged by 
Pakistani military itself. We will certainly consider any request of 
the Government of Pakistan and the Army of Pakistan deem as 
appropriate." 
He however said he has not come to Pakistan with any decision 
about the delivery of weapon system. 
Armitage described Pakistan as a friend and partner for the United
States and said the two countries enjoy enduring relationship. "We are
completely satisfied where we are in our relationship. We will look to
move forward." 
He said there was clear understanding in the talks in Islamabad 
and the two sides vowed to move forward. 
To a question about the release of Pakistani prisoners in the 
notorious and US prison at Guantanamo, he said the United States is in
the process of bringing them back home. 
"There has been great upsurge in the number of people who have 
been sent home. We are doing the best we can to release those who are 
not needed for a great deal of information," he added. 
Asked about the mistreatment of Pakistani officials by the US 
immigration authorities even during official visits, he tendered 
apology for the treatment but linked the happenings with the tight 
security system adopted to check terror risks. 
He said he did apologize to George Fernandes, the former Indian 
defense minister, who was maltreated while visiting the United States.
Asked about his comments in New Delhi on the existence of 
`terrorist camps` of Kashmiris, Armitage stood by his words on the 
presence of the camps. 
To a question on Kashmir, he said there was no question that there
is `violence and violation` of human rights in Kashmir. 
"We have discussed this with our Indian friends. I was correctly 
quoted yesterday when I just noted that all terrorist camps have not 
been dismantled, but it has to be noted that there are different kind 
of violence, some across the Line of Control." 
He said all kind of violence must be stopped so the people of 
Jammu and Kashmir can have a prosperous life and prosperous future. 
He replied in negative when asked if he made a fresh request for 
contribution of Pakistani troops to Iraq. 
"I briefed my colleague on our views on Iraq. I have made no 
request. The Government of Pakistan makes up its own mind on this 
matter." 
Asked if the appointment of Pakistan`s Ashraf Jehangir Qazi was 
aimed at forcing the country to send troops to Iraq, the Pakistan 
foreign secretary interrupted, saying, "There is no garb and there is 
no arms twisting and there is no request". 
Armitage also said there is no fresh request for Pakistani troops 
and said the appointment of Ashraf Qazi as the secretary general`s 
special representative for Iraq is a tribute to the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs and Pakistan in general. 
Asked if the US has given license to its envoy in Kabul to accuse 
Pakistan, Armitage said, "We have not given any one license." 
He said the US envoy in Kabul sometimes looks things in a very 
`narrow` way, adding that US secretary of state and other officials 
laud Pakistan role against terrorism. 
TK/TSH/2322/1432