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http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...nent_February59.xml§ion=subcontinent&col=
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The United States delivered eight attack helicopters to Pakistan on Friday, bolstering the key US allyââ¬â¢s ability to combat Taleban and Al Qaeda militants suspected of attacking neighboring Afghanistan from Pakistanââ¬â¢s border areas
The Pakistani army took possession of the Cobra AH1-F helicopters in a ceremony at Qasim air base, near the capital, Islamabad, the US Embassy said. It said they were part of a US$50 million (ÃÂ38.4 million) deal for a total of 20 refurbished helicopters.
The refurbished helicopters, which are specially equipped for night time operations, are ââ¬Åimportant weapons in our common fight,ââ¬Â US Ambassador Ryan Crocker said at the hand over ceremony, according to an embassy statement.
Afghanistan, the United States and the NATO-led coalition fighting Taleban and Al Qaeda rebels in Afghanistan are urging Pakistan to do more to stop the insurgents from using Pakistanââ¬â¢s remote border areas to launch attacks.
Pakistan insists it is doing all it can, pointing to the loss of hundreds of soldiers in operations against militants near the border with Afghanistan. President Pervez Musharraf said Friday that Pakistan will soon begin erecting fencing to reinforce the long, mountainous frontier.
ââ¬ÅWe understand and appreciate the very real sacrifices that Pakistan is making in the war on terror,ââ¬Â Crocker said.
Pakistan, which already has 19 Cobras, has been a vital US ally since it dropped its support for Afghanistanââ¬â¢s Taleban government in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Washington agreed last year to also sell F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan.
However, legislation introduced in January in the US Congress that would tie American military aid to Pakistanââ¬â¢s performance in countering militants is threatening the close ties between the US government and Musharraf.
ââ¬ÅSuch conditionality would be counterproductiveââ¬Â Crocker said.
Crocker said the aircraft deals ââ¬Ådemonstrate the long-term commitment of the United States to all aspects of our strategic partnership with Pakistan.ââ¬Â
The US government has said it will seek changes to the bill before it is presented to President George W. Bush for signing into law.