Pakistan to get largest supply of F-16s from the United States
By Maria A Khan - Pakistan Times Staff Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that under the new deal being worked out with the Bush Administration it would be getting the largest supply ever of F-16 fighter jets from the United States.

Foreign office spokesman Naeem Khan said this at his weekly briefing while answering questions about the sale of F-16 planes to Pakistan.

Asked if the government was disappointed at the Bush Administration’s decision to provide only two F-16 jets to Pakistan at this stage, he said: “No we are not disappointed. We are getting two F-16s as a first step but Pakistan’s request is there with the American side for additional supply of F-16s.”

In reply to a question, he said: “Please understand these aircraft are just the beginning and this does not in any way mean that Pakistan is being looked down upon or there is something wrong with the relationship.”

He then said that the process was on for the ‘largest supply of F-16s’ to Pakistan and added: “When this process will be completed everybody would know that the number (of F-16s) is quite large.”

Strategic Relationship

Khan emphasized that Pakistan had a strategic relationship with US which recognized it as a key partner. “We have a strategic relationship of our own with the United States, a relationship which is multi-faceted.”

Solidarity with Saudi Arabia

At the outset, the spokesman announced that as an expression of solidarity with the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the death of King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Pakistan would observe an official mourning of seven days.

About conflicting statements coming from within the government on expulsion of foreign students from seminaries, he said: “The President had said that all foreign students in the Madressahs will have to leave and I think basically the question is to work out details. Once these details are worked out then a clear-cut picture will emerge.”

Rejects Indian Allegations

The spokesman rejected allegations by the Indian leadership that Pakistan was sponsoring cross-border terrorism. Pakistan’s commitment to counter-terrorism, he asserted, was ‘complete and unquestionable’ and that Pakistan had done more than any other country in this regard.

“Criticism of Pakistan comes only from two quarters: one, those who are ignorant of Pakistan’s contribution to fighting terrorism and secondly those who are motivated to malign Pakistan.”

Nuclear Talks

Khan said that Pakistan and India would hold talks on nuclear confidence-building measures (CBMs) at New Delhi on Aug 5-6 to be followed by meetings on conventional CBMs on Aug-8. Additional foreign secretary Tariq Osman Hyder would lead Pakistan’s delegation.

Discussion would cover pre-notification of missile testing, the spokesman said, adding that some other proposals were also on the table about conventional CBMs.

Among these were operationalization of hotlines between the foreign secretaries of the two countries, upgradation of hotlines between directors-general military operations of the two countries, flag meetings between the commanders at designated locations along the Line of Control [LoC], pre-notification of military exercises, reduction of Indian troops in occupied Kashmir as well as speedy return of inadvertent crossers of the LoC.

In reply to a question, he said no ‘power’ that was pressuring Pakistan to continue CBMs with India despite the latter’s position on the Baglihar dam issue.

UN Reforms

About the G-4 framework resolution on UN reforms, Mr Khan said Pakistan was an active supporter of the UFC (United For Consensus) that had introduced a resolution in the General Assembly on July-26.

Under the UFC proposal, he explained, the strength of the Security Council would increase from 15 seats to 25 with 20 non-permanent elected members for a two-year term with the possibility of immediate re-election.

“I understand that UFC has a very strong position. It is fully supported by China and it is also common to the US position,” he said, adding that China had come out clear in its position against the G-4 framework resolution.

Warns

He warned that the G-4 proposal which was seeking permanent seats for four countries (Brazil, Japan, Germany and India) would create new centres of privilege and regional tension.

Underlining that Pakistan’s position was based on principle and not directed against any country, the spokesman said: “Pakistan is opposed in principle to the G-4 proposal and we would like the UN to be more democratic, more transparent, more effective and more accountable.”

He said that Pakistan had decided to make a voluntary contribution of $50,000 to the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) Fund. The ARF Fund was established at the recently concluded 12th ministerial meeting of the ARF in Lao.

Referring to the joint declaration for cooperation in combating terrorism that Pakistan signed with Asean last month, he said: “This declaration envisages cooperation through exchange of information, intelligence sharing and capacity building.”●