Dems threaten Pakistan over jet delivery

[Goodperson]

Dems threaten Pakistan over jet delivery
By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer

Senate Democrats are threatening to withhold delivery of jet fighter planes to Pakistan if it does not intensify its campaign against terrorists. The Bush administration opposed an even tougher move in the House that would condition U.S. military aid to stronger anti-terror efforts. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher told a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee Wednesday the arms package should not be held out as a reward to Pakistan. Boucher said Pakistan is fighting Taliban militia for its own good and that the United States and other nations benefit as a result.

At stake is the long-delayed sale of 18 new jet fighters, an opportunity to buy 18 more and refurbishing 34 used aircraft already in Pakistan's air force arsenal.

The Bush administration objects to the House version of the legislation because it conditions sale of the aircraft to a certification by President Bush that Pakistan's anti-terror efforts were sufficient, Boucher said.

Three Democratic senators — John Kerry of Massachusetts, Christopher Dodd (news, bio, voting record) of Connecticut and Joe Biden of Delaware — put the threat in the form of a nonbinding resolution.

Its aim is to make clear to Pakistan that U.S. military assistance will be assessed in how hard the South Asian ally cracks down on Taliban forces, which are expected to launch a spring offensive in Afghanistan from havens in Pakistan, and on the al-Qaida terror network.

"We must never forget the importance of going after the terrorists before they strike," Kerry said.

At the House hearing, meanwhile, Chairman Gary Ackerman (news, bio, voting record), D-N.Y., told Boucher that many members of Congress were "puzzled why we are not doing more to put in some backbone" with Pakistan.

"We would like to see a little more muscle behind the policy," Ackerman said.

In the same vein, Rep. David Scott (news, bio, voting record), D-Ga., told Boucher: "I do not believe we are making all the progress we should be making." Scott said the terrorists had havens in Pakistan's border areas and "it doesn't seem we are getting our money's worth" from U.S. assistance to Pakistan.

But Boucher described Pakistan as "a vital partner and ally in our fight against the Taliban and al-Qaida."

The State Department official said the solution was not entirely a military one. Boucher said the Pakistan president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, was pursuing economic and social reform in the border areas where terrorists have havens.

The Bush administration is supporting the effort, but Boucher did not specify how much U.S. assistance will go into it.

"We will continue to work with the government of Pakistan to develop a long-term strategic partnership that is multifaceted and committed to the peace and security" of the region, he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070308/ap_on_go_co/us_pakistan

 

[Muradk]

Bloody Ediots : Edward says : "what has F-16 got to do with terrorists, How would a F-16 help Pakistan achive that "
And
If you look at it and think about it he is right. We did'nt ask for F-16 to kill our own people, Just because a CIA says a person with 5-10" plus white or black beard having a AK-47 around his arm wearing a Shilwar Kamiz and a turban is a paticular suspect so that means where ever we see a Tribes man we shoot him.

 

[Cheetah786]

Bloody Ediots : Edward says : "what has F-16 got to do with terrorists, How would a F-16 help Pakistan achive that "
And
If you look at it and think about it he is right. We did'nt ask for F-16 to kill our own people, Just because a CIA says a person with 5-10" plus white or black beard having a AK-47 around his arm wearing a Shilwar Kamiz and a turban is a paticular suspect so that means where ever we see a Tribes man we shoot him.

Here is an wild idea.we can tell the Americans to go suck a lemon.its not exactly top of the line aircraft.(they dont wanna tip the military balnce in asia)yet they will sell any thing to india.
i don't understand what does the Americans will actually have to do before we tell them to take a hike.zero self respect in pakistans government.

 

[Neo]

We should have ditched the F-16 deal, problem is that we'll probably lose all the other extra's like AMRAAM aswell.

US is not a reliable ally, the deal will face many problems. This is just another bad deal. :wall:

 

[Adux]

I agree with the Dems. but then again I am Indian.

Neo,

F-16 deal had a lot to do with the financial situation Pakistan was in and the political games India was playing with its MMRCA deal

 

[Adux]

zero self respect in pakistans government.

Self respect is a stupid trait in Geo-politicals, You guys will be termed complete dud-heads if you loose your realtionship with the Americans and let them walk straight into Indian hands. China is not in a position right now to replace or do better than the Americans

 

[Neo]

I agree with the Dems. but then again I am Indian.

Well the dems are a bunch of selfish idiots!
Did you read Sir Murad's post?

Neo,

F-16 deal had a lot to do with the financial situation Pakistan was in and the political games India was playing with its MMRCA deal

Not really, it has much more to do with the availability of any alternative MRCA as the J-10/FC-20 is still under development but financing might have played a role since the deal is partly co-financed by US military aid.

 

[Adux]

Neo,

I was refering to Qatari Mirage Episode and RD-33 Saga, which made it imperitive for the Pakistani's to get the F-16 most of which were available of the shelf, as well as showing interest in Gripen, Rafale and Eurofighter when PAF showed the slightest interest

 

[Bull]

We owe you all for proving beyond doubt that Americans are terrible allies.

 

[Neo]

Well good luck to you too with your new alliance. :thumbsup:

 

[Cheetah786]

Self respect is a stupid trait in Geo-politicals, You guys will be termed complete dud-heads if you loose your realtionship with the Americans and let them walk straight into Indian hands. China is not in a position right now to replace or do better than the Americans

you see if the americans are helping our enemy they are not our friend.

On June 28, Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee met with Rumsfeld to sign the U.S.-India Defense Relationship Agreement, which gives India access to sophisticated missile technology under the guise of aiding its space program.

This is just 1 of the countless examples Americans are providing help to India.yet Pakistan is suppose to put up its personals to take a bullet for the Americans.For or few rusted out f16s. we are expected to create a civil war with in our country.let them use our land to attack another Muslim country.while being treated like a reject.i don't think so.while there NATO members are not lending more then word support.look at Australia whats the support Howard is providing.yet he will get all goodies.double standards all the way.even a blind and def person could see and hear that.

 

[Cheetah786]

We owe you all for proving beyond doubt that Americans are terrible allies.

Give them time they wont disappoint you.

 

[melb4aust]

you see if the americans are helping our enemy they are not our friend.

On June 28, Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee met with Rumsfeld to sign the U.S.-India Defense Relationship Agreement, which gives India access to sophisticated missile technology under the guise of aiding its space program.

This is just 1 of the countless examples Americans are providing help to India.yet Pakistan is suppose to put up its personals to take a bullet for the Americans.For or few rusted out f16s. we are expected to create a civil war with in our country.let them use our land to attack another Muslim country.while being treated like a reject.i don't think so.while there NATO members are not lending more then word support.look at Australia whats the support Howard is providing.yet he will get all goodies.double standards all the way.even a blind and def person could see and hear that.

Dude there is no other choice, its a whole political game.

Pakistan cant deny US right know, we r not in such position so as many other countries except couple like France or China to say.
Have a look at N-koreans what they did and similar thing is gonna happen with Iran as well, they are gonna back-off from their nuclear program. Before it was the western world trying to stop them now this time the muslim world pushing hard on iran to abonden their nuke thing. Pakistan is the one whose trying as hard as any other, because it has all sort of reasons, i dont wanna go into details here, the recent visit of saudi king, plus just few hrs ago musharaf hiself made a phone call to iran's president, why? All politics my friend all politics. So, Pakistan is fully aware of the situation.........Grab what ever you can (F-16's) quickly and consider ur safety 1st, is the policy here. By the way, i am also one of the few against this F-16's deal.

Its always easy to say and watch.........

 

[Goodperson]

Give them time they wont disappoint you.

Nah, Reason for interference is lots of arms and equipments which pakistan receives comes as aid to fight terrorists.

 

[Bull]

yet Pakistan is suppose to put up its personals to take a bullet for the Americans.For or few rusted out f16s. .

Blk 52s aren't rusty equipment.

We are expected to create a civil war with in our country.

You mean taking on the talibans and other extremists wouldnt have been initated if there was no US pressure?

even a blind and def person could see and hear that.

A blind man can hear that but a deaf man cant.