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Pakland to delay purchase of F-16s from US
Pakistan would postpone the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the US to focus on quake relief and rehabilitation work, President Pervez Musharraf today said. Pakistan was planning to buy 75 F-16 fighter jets from the US at a cost of three billion US dollars. Musharraf stressed that delaying the purchase of the jets would have no bearing on the country's defence. "We should never do anything that jeopardises our security," he told reporters in quake-ravaged capital of PoK, Muzaffarabad.
Snip all pious concern for Kashmiri civilians ...Not only necessary to release desperately needed funds as well as brighten up the militaryâs image, it is a welcome decision for another reason. It also shows that Pakistan is confident in the improving relationship with India. It would not have happened, no matter how great the financial needs, had Islamabad felt threatened from India. It is all the more impressive given the efforts Pakistan put into surmounting US opposition to the sale; US military sanctions were only lifted last March after 15 years in place. It is as much a confidence-building measure as opening crossings on the LOC; indeed more so. India should respond in kind. Posted by: Seafarious 2005-11-05 |
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