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U.S Congress clears F-16 jets deal: Pakistan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Aug 7, IRNA
Pakistan-FO briefing
The U.S Congress has cleared the sale of F-16s to Pakistan and the deal contains no extraordinary condition, the Foreign Spokesperson Ms. Tasneem Aslam said on Monday.

Speaking at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad the spokesperson said there would be a letter of offer from the United States and acceptance from Pakistan side following approval by the Congress, Pakistani Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed said last month that Islamabad will get from the United States 18 new F-16 fighter aircraft as well as 26 old F-16s under the agreement.

Asked to comment on reports that the United States was insisting on extraordinary security precautions, she said the agreement contains standard clause to ensure that there is no transfer of technology to a third country.

She pointed out that Pakistan signs similar agreement with other countries while selling or purchasing any equipment.

She dismissed reports in some section of media that the United States conveyed to Pakistan that the equipment supplied for war against terrorism should not be diverted for other uses.

Responding to questions the spokesperson said there is no proposal of sending Pakistani troops to Lebanon.

She however said that Pakistan would consider contributing peace keeping troops only if they are mandated by the United Nations and acceptable to Lebanon.

She said consultations are continuing at the UN Security Council on a draft resolution but there are reports that Lebanese have expressed certain reservations as did Qatar.

She said Pakistan has all along been emphasizing that the international community should act quickly to stop Israeli aggression and carnage of innocent Lebanese.

Asked to comment on a statement from Kabul that Pakistan should do more to curb activities of Taliban, the spokesperson said Afghan situation is a matter of concern to every one.

She however pointed out that no other country can have more interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan than Pakistan.

"We are not just neighbors but share cultural, ethnic, historical and religious ties," she said.

She said Pakistan has taken a number of steps to stop the two way infiltration across Pakistan-Afghan border.

It deployed over eighty thousand troops and suffered many casualties.

She emphasized that more things need to be done to bring out normalcy in Afghanistan.

These include helping Afghan people to have a secure and normal life, meeting reconstruction needs of that country, tackling problem of narcotic drugs and above all repatriation of Afghan refugees to remove some of the complaints about cross border movement.

2020/235/1430/1771