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| India-Pakistan |
| US arms, dollars for Pak loyalty |
| 2003-05-20 |
| As Pakistan turns into America's launch pad and frontline state in its fight against terrorism, there is much that General Pervez Musharaf's country stands to gain. According to documents available with rediff.com, the US embassy in Pakistan has recommended a massive list of military wares, financial aid on several fronts and other assistance as it re-engages Islamabad. Engagements after 9/11 "have convincingly shown that US global and regional interests require close engagement with Pakistan. The use of sanctions in a different era to alter Pakistani policy did not work. Engagement, particularly after September 11, has yielded better results and promises to lead to a stronger, healthier and more mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Pakistan," say the papers. So what does this 'close engagement' entail? The most visible is the request for military equipment approved by the US defense attaché to Islamabad. The list submitted last year end has UH-II utility helicopters, AH-I attack helicopters, VHF/UHF aircraft radio sets, T-37 flight training aircraft, AN/FPS-117 surveillance radars, E-2C warning and control aircraft, Bell 407 reconnaissance helicopters and I-GNAT unmanned aerial vehicles among other things. Pakistan is also asking for upgrade and pilot training for its P-3C patrol aircraft, seen as a potent weapons platform against Indian naval vessels. Another request approved by the US defense attache is for the C-130 cargo aircraft, similar to the one used to transport critical nuclear systems to North Korea in exchange for missiles. My question to RantBurg: How likely do you believe that the US would actually provide these weapons/equipment (especially E-2C) to Pakland especially considering they have blocked the sale of the Phalcon/AWACS from Israel to India. A lot of this equipment has very little to do with the WOT and would be used directly against India, obvioulsy Bush knows this. |
| Posted by:rg117 |