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Pakistan opposes sale of US anti-missile Patriot to India

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Feb 23, IRNA - Pakistan on Wednesday cautioned that the 
possible sale of US Patriot anti-ballistic missile system to India 
would be `counter-productive, erode deterrence in the region, fuel 
arms race and induce higher risk-taking`. 
"Pakistan has conveyed its concern to both the United States and 
India," Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan told reporters in 
Islamabad. 
Reports suggested recently that the US may deliver Patriot 
missiles system to India. 
Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) is a surface-to-air guided 
missile defense system that builds upon the existing Patriot air 
defense infrastructure (used during the Persian Gulf War in 1991). 
The new fully operational PAC-3 provides advanced capability 
against enemy cruise missiles, aircraft, and unlike previous systems, 
tactical ballistic missiles. 
The Pakistani spokesman wondered as to why India needed this 
system as it is pursuing rapprochement with China and composite 
dialogue with Pakistan. 
"Pakistan wants South Asia to be free from anti-ballistic missile 
system," Khan said. 
Responding to questions on Kashmir bus service, the spokesman 
said the two sides are in the process of sorting out technicalities 
for start of the bus service. 
To another question he said Pakistan and the United States enjoy 
a `strong, robust and resilient` relationship encompassing 
cooperation in "political, strategic and economic spheres". 
"The two way trade between the two countries stood at 4.2 billion 
dollars with Pakistan`s exports to the United States at 3 billion 
dollars. The United States is also the largest investor in Pakistan 
with 38 percent share in foreign direct investment in the country." 
He said that Pakistan-US relations are beyond the war on 
terrorism and they would have durable relationship. 
The spokesman rejected the impression that Pakistan is fighting 
the war against terror for the United States and said "it is in our 
own national interests". 
TK/TSH/2326/1412 
 Thu 2005-02-24 
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