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Care to elaborate?
By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration has notified Congress it has approved the sale of 18 new F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan as part of a $5 billion weapons deal.
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The package, which includes an option to purchase another 18 F-16 fighter jets, an offer to modernize 26 used aircraft already in Pakistan's arsenal, as well as logistical and other support was quietly sent to Congress on Wednesday.
It coincides with an administration drive in Congress for endorsement of nuclear cooperation with India, a historic rival of Pakistan. But a State Department spokeswoman, Julie Reside, said the two actions are unrelated.
"We believe in treating each country individually," Reside said. "Each faces defense issues different from the other."
Pakistan has strained for years to purchase new F-16 jets. Its support for the United States in countering terrorism apparently bolstered its case.
"The sale is part of an effort to broaden our strategic partnership with Pakistan and advance our national security and foreign policy interests in South Asia," Reside said. "Pakistan is a long-term partner and major non-NATO ally."
Congress has 30 days to reject the sale. State Department officials have been conferring privately with members of Congress, apparently finding them receptive to the weapons deal.
India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed, have fought three wars over the future of the Kashmir territory. They have competed over the years for military advantage.
Reside, dismissing any suggestion the U.S. sale would contribute to an arms race, said a dialogue between the two countries had helped reduce tensions and provided greater stability in the area.
Care to elaborate?
$5 billion is a lot of money. That can buy body armoe and such for the troops. Are you so smart you know better than the Bush Administration who to sell things to?
Wow...just wow.
Is every thread you post in destined for this sort of wisdom?
I thought gtown was bad...you have topped even him.
Do you even know Boa? Obviously not...
From a business standpoint it makes sense... Especially when one considers that if we didn't sell them these technologies, then other militarized countries would... Instead, we make the sale and have an opportunity to re-invest some of the profits (in R&D programs) to stay ahead of the curve...
From a political standpoint it doesn't make sense...
- You never know what regime will 'inherit' these weapons...
- Pakistan and India are one misunderstanding away from blowing each other up as it is... and we're playing both sides???
- Did we not learn from the Iraq-Iran war???... I mean we practically trained Osam* B L ourselves...
Not to mention the fact that while we are trying to enforce the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, we are supplying weapons to a known violator of the treaty.
Having watched Lord of War again... one realizes that the Military is one immensly powered and independently self-moving branch of Government...
I don't even believe the White House is aware of everything the Military (i.e. the Pentagon) is up to.
Not to mention rogue military leaders...
Well, they're our boys right now, and Pakistan is booming from all of this help they are giving us -- hopefully the average Pakistani will realize that.
As for them and India blowing each other up -- both have nukes and Pakistan is definitely the country that would use them first in any large scale conflict. Good ol' MAD is what's keeping tensions from boiling over down there.
18 fighter planes doesn't tip any balance there. They would've gotten them from somebody, so might as well be us.
The 'average Pakistani' is a non-existent classification in an Islam controlled country.
And I know I will get all sorts of for saying that... considering I'm a major proponent of the tenets of Christianity... The difference between the religions despite whatever similarity many believe them to have is that in Christianity... you are given the freedom of choice; one is still en led to do as they please (knowing fully well -- some not as much -- that accountability for ones actions will come from above). In Islam, men try to assume the judgement seat that belongs solely to GOD. That doesn't work... it is a coercive religion since any opposition to their tenets is usually met with exile, death or both...
I agree that financially its a good deal (duh, we're getting money),that is a no brainer.
But I find it lame of the nation to play both sides of the india pakistan thing and stupid for them to think this will somehow pay off for them in the long run when india and pakistan inevitably start another war.
What is there to gain in the long run from this? We're hooking up a dirty muslim terrost-hiding, nuclear arm treaty breaking country. Don't make sense CORSO.
Well, if we're just going off on a "Islam bad" tangent, there's no use continuing the discussion. The only logical conclusion from that line of thought is killing all the Muslims whottt-style.
Didnt you read?
Duh! I mean, where would we be without Pakistan, man?! Them peeps is our s!"The sale is part of an effort to broaden our strategic partnership with Pakistan and advance our national security and foreign policy interests in South Asia," Reside said. "Pakistan is a long-term partner and major non-NATO ally."
BTW, for once I agree with boa. If there were a choice between Islam and Christianity...no brainer.
Cmon dude. Not all, just a good majority...
Um, Indians are Hindu and Buddhist
there are millions of muslims in india too
They'll be killed by the seven Christians there.
hyeah, there are a buttload of christians there too, more than people realize.
Those missionaries have to be using hypnotic methods i swear.
"Indians are Hindu and Buddhist"
Not all Indian Muslims left for East Pakistan/Bangladesh at par ion.
137 million current Indians are Muslim. 3rd largest Muslim population.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_India
I wish India would hurry up and destroy Pakistan whott-style so we can form a concrete allliance with them to fend off the overwhelming, devestating, tenacious horde that is CHINA.
Those are the "bad" Indians.
You do understand that the money goes to General Dynamics, a corporation? I doubt that their shareholders would be too happy at them springing for body armor out of proceeds from aircraft sales. The only thing that the Adminstration does is approve or disapprove the sale. Dumb .
As to the question of where would we be without Pakistan? Probably displaying ObL's head on a pike in Washington DC. ers are obstructing the out of our cursory search for the REAL 9/11 culprit.
Musharraf = Saddam, circa early 80s.
Stop worrying about body armour nessy! Sure, the parents have paid for it but, it's a tax deduction.
You can thank mr. bush for that. Alway's looking out for us taxpayers.
Are you sure the money goes to GD? I'm pretty sure they're getting mothballed planes from our inventory not new ones from GD.
What factors led up to this sale? Was there a -for-tat?
Something like a simple arms sale and all of you are crying conspiracy. Pakistan is our ally in the War on Terror. You can't have an arms embargo against your ally. You act like Bush is stupid or something. Ha ha. I bet if you were the Oval Office you would cower in the corner with youre in your hand.
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