Bid to block Pakistan F-16 sale fails in U.S. Senate

[313baberali]

Bid to block Pakistan F-16 sale fails in U.S. Senate| Reuters

The U.S. Senate on Thursday blocked an effort to prevent the $700 million sale of Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.

Lawmakers voted 71 to 24 against moving to a vote on a Resolution of Disapproval introduced by Republican Senator Rand Paul that would have prevented the sale under legislation known as the Arms Control Act.

President Barack Obama's administration announced on Feb. 12 that it had approved the sale to Pakistan of the aircraft, as well as radars and other equipment. It drew immediate criticism from India and concern from some members of Congress.

Paul had called Pakistan "an uncertain ally" and other lawmakers expressed concerns about Pakistan's nuclear programme, commitment to fighting terrorist organizations and cooperation in the Afghanistan peace process.

However, they generally supported the sale, saying the South Asian state needs to modernize its air force and counter-terrorism activities.

The United States identified Pakistan as a key partner in its war against terror following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and spent billions of dollars on military aid to help the country fight insurgents.

But there is growing consternation in Washington about continuing with the same level of assistance unless Pakistan provides evidence it is using the funds effectively to eliminate militants.





(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Dan Grebler)

Congratulation Pakistan.
Time to Celebrate

 

[Blue Marlin]

Pakistan F-16 Sale Survives US Senate Dogfight

(Photo: Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images)

1 CONNECTCOMMENTEMAILMORE
WASHINGTON — A measure to block the $700 million sale of eight US F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan was scuttled in the US Senate on Thursday, though US financing for the deal was on hold.

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, whose committee has jurisdiction over foreign arms sales, said he will maintain a hold on the US subsidy for the jets over Pakistan’s “duplicity” in the US-backed war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican and one-time presidential candidate, mounted an effort to halt the jet sales, citing its human rights record and intelligence community’s support of the Afghan Taliban.

“They take our money, take our arms and laugh in our face,” Paul said, adding later: “Pakistan is at best a frenemy — part friend and a lot enemy.”

On Thursday, Rand’s procedural call for a Senate vote to end the sales died when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called a successful vote to table it. The vote was 71-24.

Both Corker, R-Tenn., and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s ranking Democrat, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, have a hold on the US subsidy, aimed at applying pressure on Pakistan. Corker did not specify what actions Pakistan can take to lift the hold.

“I have issues with Pakistan too,” Corker said. “It’s actually a difference of tactics. I’d like to try to encourage some behavior changes and I think withholding the financial component is a much better way of doing that.”

Corker cast the sale as a choice between publicly embarrassing a nuclear Pakistan and driving it toward Russian- or French-made jets, versus securing US leverage over the uncertain ally through its reliance on the US for maintenance over the Lockheed-made jets’ lifespan.


http://www.defensenews.com/story/de...proves-f-16-block-52-sales-pakistan/80304896/
The US State Department last month notified Congress of the sale of the eight F-16 Block-52 aircraft and other equipment to Pakistan worth $700 million. The jets were touted as critical to Pakistan’s efforts to deny terrorists a safe haven within its borders.

“These operations are in the national interests of Pakistan, the United States, NATO, and in the interest of the region more broadly,” David McKeeby, a spokesperson for the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, said in a statement

 

[Zee-shaun]

Sad day for India and a moral victory for Pakistan.
What will Modi do? Summon Dana Rohrabacher now? lol

 

[313baberali]

Hope after this success review of Naval ships and Grc43m Cutters will happen. Or other batter option

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Obviously US deserves thanks on their support for operations against Terrorism

A strong message US has sent against countries like India who sponsor terrorism across countries

1- Supporting terror in Karachi
Reference:
British police documents: RAW met MQM in Europe in the 90s, gave money | The Indian Express

2- Supplying support to ISIS
7 Indian firms among those in Islamic State supply chain: EU study | The Indian Express


Scotland yard hands Pakistan Evidence and links tieing Terrorism to India
RAW funded MQM, Scotland Yard hands over evidence to Pakistan - Pakistan - Dunya News

BBC report of International Terrorism sponsorship by RAW (india)
Pakistan's MQM 'received Indian funding' - BBC News


India broke UK laws when it engaged in funding of International laws to cause death in Karachi , sponsoring murders using MQM agents


BBC investigation MQM / RAW(iNDIA connection) to kill people

 

[Blue Marlin]

and the fat man says it.........


Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, urged his colleagues to reject Paul's measure and allow the sale to proceed. Corker acknowledged that Pakistan has been "duplicitous" with the United States, but said rejecting the sale would have publicly embarrassed Islamabad and led Pakistan to buy fighters from Russia or France.


Corker said that he and Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the committee, have agreed to bar the use of any U.S. financial support for the deal until "there are behavior changes that take place in Pakistan."


The sale also gives the U.S. leverage over the long haul with Islamabad, Corker said. The F-16 deal comes with 30 years of maintenance, which Corker said could be withdrawn at any time. That would leave Pakistan without the parts and expertise to keep the high-tech aircraft in the air.


"Publicly embarrassing them and sending them to Russia or to France to buy fighter jets ends that leverage," Corker said.
Senate Shoots Down Resolution to Block F-16 Sale to Pakistan - ABC News

 

[dadeechi]

Congrats! Pakistan.

 

[313baberali]

Sad day for India and a moral victory for Pakistan.
What will Modi do? Summon Dana Rohrabacher now? lol

Suicidal America is arming Pakistan | FATAH | Columnists | Opinion | Toronto Sun
you can see the smoke here,TAREK FATAH, a toronto sun writer,he just write this column recently a day or two before when US and Canadian top heads meet together,i can see today how much he is feeling pain he always write against Pakistan in toronto Sun .Tarek Tareeek hogaya

 

[Zee-shaun]

Expect a lot more rubbish to appear in the pro-Indian western media; all the Gupta's, Kumar's and Patel's...the so called Pakistan experts, are probably already on it.

 

[mingle]

According to Haris Khan PDF PAF intending to buy 10 more New Blk 52s .

 

[Path-Finder]

Suicidal America is arming Pakistan | FATAH | Columnists | Opinion | Toronto Sun
you can see the smoke here,TAREK FATAH, a toronto sun writer,he just write this column recently a day or two before when US and Canadian top heads meet together,i can see today how much he is feeling pain he always write against Pakistan in toronto Sun .Tarek Tareeek hogaya

that bastard you mentioned also a supporter of Baloch separatists and apperars on andian tv channels as well. who needs enemies when you have the like of hussain haqqani and this bastard.
........................
on second note, what celebration is there on few measly aircraft that are at the mercy of a country that is hostile to you or it has hostile forces working to turn it into a hostile nation against you. the yanks are NOT our ally/friend more like paying for services they used. Even bigger headache is the failure of foreign policy that we have such senile people working on foreign policy that cannot even covey the message of the state to world.

 

[Hamza913]

According to Haris Khan PDF PAF intending to buy 10 more New Blk 52s .

Yeah I heard about that too. Hope that deal materializes too.

 

[313baberali]

that bastard you mentioned also a supporter of Baloch separatists and apperars on andian tv channels as well. who needs enemies when you have the like of hussain haqqani and this bastard.
........................
on second note, what celebration is there on few measly aircraft that are at the mercy of a country that is hostile to you or it has hostile forces working to turn it into a hostile nation against you. the yanks are NOT our ally/friend more like paying for services they used. Even bigger headache is the failure of foreign policy that we have such senile people working on foreign policy that cannot even covey the message of the state to world.

well i write letters to editor and dirty toronto sun facebook pages under his Tag.enough for him and toronto sun if they want to learn but they never.

According to Haris Khan PDF PAF intending to buy 10 more New Blk 52s .

from day one it is order of 18 but financial problems making hurdles.hope for best .InshahALLAH

 

[mingle]

Yeah I heard about that too. Hope that deal materializes too.

Yes it will these 8 were test case .Window is open PAF should go more atleast another 28 new ones will make 54 new ones a solid number plus old one as well .

 

[Hamza913]

Yes it will these 8 were test case .Window is open PAF should go more atleast another 28 new ones will make 54 new ones a solid number plus old one as well .

It seems like this was the test case. 28 more might be a little difficult due to financial restraints and other issues, 10 seems more likely. In my opinion, since the US will be replacing older F16 variants with the F35, we should try to buy as many of those older models as possible. They will be cheaper and will not be as prone to backlash as they are not super advanced fighters like the block 52+.