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Title:  Consultations are underway with Congress concerning the Clinton administration's proposed one-time sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan. Delivery of the planes would be contingent on specific commitments from Pakistan regarding its nuclear program. DoS Report. (940330)

Date:  19940330

Text:
ADD STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

(Pakistan-India) (300) NEWS BRIEFING -- Spokesman Michael McCurry discussed the following topic: CONGRESS CONSULTED ON PROPOSED F-16 SALE TO PAKISTAN McCurry said consultations are underway with Congress concerning the Clinton administration's proposed one-time sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan. Delivery of the planes would be contingent on specific commitments from Pakistan regarding its nuclear program.

The planes -- the number is unclear -- have already been paid for, but their delivery has been prohibited because the Pressler amendment forbids delivery of U.S. military and other types of assistance to Pakistan if the president cannot certify that Pakistan does not have a nuclear explosive device.

"There has to be an agreement reached between Congress and the administration on the effect of our initiative as it relates to sanctions, the so-called Pressler sanctions," the spokesman said in reply to a question. "Those consultations have been ongoing.

"We don't believe that they prevent our dialogue that will be conducted by Deputy Secretary (of State Strobe) Talbott" who is scheduled to visit both Pakistan and India next month, McCurry said. Similar talks were held recently when Robin Raphel, assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs, visited both countries.

"I do think that the importance of including this item on the deputy secretary's agenda has not been changed by some of the reaction to our initiative that we've heard from Capitol Hill," McCurry said. Talbott's agenda "certainly will include non-proliferation and regional security in South Asia," he added.

Asked what incentives India would be offered to go along with the proposed delivery of aircraft to Pakistan, McCurry replied: "There are some specific incentives for India that we just are not in position (to) unveil prior to the deputy secretary's trip."

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