NEWS: Bush Agrees to Sell F-16s to Pakistan, page 1
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Topic started on 25-3-2005 @ 11:48 AM by ProudAmerican
President Bush has agreed to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan in an attempt to strengthen them as a key ally against the war on terrorism. This is a change of policy as the US had formerly blocked the sales of F-16's to the Middle Eastern country.



www.reuters.com
CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President Bush has agreed to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan in a major policy shift rewarding a key ally in the war on terrorism, administration officials said on Friday.

Washington blocked sales of F-16s to Pakistan in 1990 as a sanction against its nuclear program.

The Bush administration official said the Lockheed Martin Corp. F-16s "are vital to Pakistan's security as President (Pervez) Musharraf takes numerous risks prosecuting the war on terror."

U.S. officials said there was no decision "at this point" on similar F-16 sales to India.


Please visit the link provided for the complete story.


How does this affect what is happening in the Middle East? This obviously strengthens Pakistani security but now India is concerned that this "could have negative consequences for India's security environment." The US hasn't declined India's request, but stated "We will respond positively to the Indian tender for bids to sell multi-role combat aircraft."


reply posted on 25-3-2005 @ 11:57 AM by negativenihil
I wonder if this has anything to do with this...


news.ft.com...

Pakistan may hand over nuclear centrifuges

Pakistan said Friday it might hand over components of used nuclear centrifuges to the International Atomic Energy Agency to help establish how far Iran's nuclear programme has progressed.

Pakistan's possible willingness to hand over centrifuges emerged during a local television interview of General Pervez Musharraf, the pro-US military ruler.

“To end the issue once and for all, we want to send nuclear centrifuges to Vienna for inspection. The matter is under consideration,” he said.






reply posted on 25-3-2005 @ 02:22 PM by Jakomo
Um, WTF.

Just FIVE DAYS AGO, the Pakistanis got up and had a massive demonstration in Lahore to protest President Musharaff's policies.

www.cnn.com...

LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) -- Tens of thousands of people from all religious parties have staged a rally in Karachi against Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, declaring him unacceptable because of his pro-American policies.

During Sunday's rally, Muthaida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), an alliance of Islamic parties, called for a nationwide general strike on April 2 to protest rising unemployment and inflation, the promotion of secularism and the exclusion of religious affiliations on passports...

..Fazlur-Rahman also warned the United States not to interfere in Pakistani internal issues.

Many in the crowd carried banners inveighing against the United States and Musharraf. "Musharraf motto is to kill the people, rob the people and lick the boots of Americans," said one sign.

Alliance representatives said they would hold rallies against Musharraf during the coming weeks.


So, um, let me get this straight.

Musharraf is facing massive revolts by a large anti-US portion of the Pakistani population, and they promise they will eventually oust him and renew their "Islamic identity".


What a GREAT idea to send these guys some fighter jets!

Am I the only one here saying OMFG?


reply posted on 27-3-2005 @ 11:18 PM by ProudAmerican
Originally posted by Bob88

Anway, I feel like we're dissing India by doing this.



Will the United States deal F-16's to India as well?


SOURCE
The United States has told India that American defense companies would be allowed to bid for the multi-role combat aircraft that India wants to buy, Navtej Sarna, the External Affairs Ministry spokesman, told reporters in New Delhi.

A group from the United States is expected in India shortly for discussions. At a defense seminar in Bangalore, India, the nation's air force chief said the U.S.-built F-16 and France's Mirage jet fighters are among the warplanes India is considering for a purchase of 126 new aircraft.




Or will India take their business elsewhere, say, China?


SOURCE
The Bush administration's decision to sell F-16 jets to Pakistan amounts to "rejecting India at the altar" of a new relationship, former Senator Larry Pressler has said.

"If I were the leader of India I would have no option but to seek an alliance with China for military reasons," Pressler said.

Asked how seriously the F-16 might affect bilateral relations with India, he said, "It is hard to stay in the short-term. India is in a very subservient position with the US because of many reasons. But in the long-term it cannot be good."

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