India's F-16 scuttling effort, AIR MARSHAL (RETD) AYAZ AHMED KHAN

[mysterious]

Pakistani group counters Indian-initiated move on F-16s

By Khalid Hasan

WASHINGTON: A newly-formed Pakistani lobbying group has tried to counter moves initiated by the Indian-American community to block the possible sale of F-16s to Pakistan.

A letter sent by Faiz Rehman, executive director of the Pakistani American Liaison Centre, to members of the India Caucus in US Congress argues that it is a mistake to link Pakistan with the independent relationship between India and the United States. India, he writes, enjoys a huge advantage over Pakistan in conventional weapons. Its military is armed to the teeth with weapons supplied by its Cold War era friend, the former Soviet Union. India to date continues to spend a significant portion of its national budget on buying conventional weapons from Russia and other places in the world to increase its already clear edge over Pakistan, it adds.

According to the letter, even if reports that Pakistan is going to get the aircraft it seeks are correct, this will in no way affect the existing imbalance in conventional arms between the two countries. It argues that it is not right for a lobbying group to attack US ties with a third country, in this case, Pakistan, nor should it try to undermine the actions of Congress or condemn the policies of the President of the United States, especially when those policies enjoy congressional support. It calls the Indian effort “inherently anti-Pakistan†and in stark contrast to the Intelligence Reform and Prevention of Terrorism Act of 2004 which was overwhelmingly passed by Congress and signed by the President. It reminds the US lawmakers that the Act has recommended to the Bush administration to ensure long-term engagement with Pakistan and continue to provide it with military and economic assistance.

The letter underscores Pakistan’s importance to Washington, the vital role it is playing and the huge sacrifices made its people and soldiers have made in the war on terror. “The smear campaign against Pakistan and its citizens initiated by the India Caucus co-chair is extremely unfair and negative, to say the least. It does not deserve support from members of Congress,†the letter stresses.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_25-12-2004_pg7_31

Now we're finally making some efforts to counter the Indian lobby in this case. :smokingc:

 

[srirangan]

It'll end up being who will buy up more Congressmen. Bush wants to sell, no doubt about that. But let's see if India can buy enough senators and congressmen to counter this. Maybe the big Jewish businesses might help. /kiddin (The Watcher freemasonry jew conspiracy alert )

 

[mysterious]

Pakistan’s urge for F-16s not worrying, says Indian air chief

* Tyagi says India has its own strategy

NEW DELHI: India’s new air chief said on Friday that there was no need to worry about Pakistan’s effort to purchase F-16 fighter aircraft, adding, “We have our own plansâ€.

“It is a constant process, we buy something and they buy something and also the numbers (of aircraft) to be purchased (by Pakistan) are still not formally decided,†Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi told reporters.

He however said that he was not suggesting that New Delhi should ignore Islamabad’s decision but added that New Delhi had its own plans. Pakistan had first discussed the purchase of high-tech planes, especially F-16s, with the US and then approached other countries following Washington’s reluctance.

India had prevailed over Belgium not to sell 30 second-hand nuclear-capable F-16s to Pakistan.

Though the Indian government has officially contended that acquisition of F-16s by Pakistan could affect the balance of air power between the two countries, Tyagi said he did not apprehend any such “imbalanceâ€.

Tyagi said India was negotiating with Russia to acquire fifth generation fighter aircraft. These had already been inducted into the air forces of the US, China and Russia.

He also pointed out that India had received six of the 10 Mirage-2000 fighters from France while four would be delivered later. “Talks are also on for acquiring 126 Mirage-2000-5s,â€Tyagi said.

The Indian air chief said he was happy that the MiG-21 aircraft accident rate had decreased considerably. Only two crashes were recorded last year compared to 12 in 1999.

He ruled out grounding the MiG-21s, saying there was a process to phase out fighter planes and that would be followed.

Tyagi also ruled out closing the Car Nicobar airbase which was completely damaged by the tsunami on December 26 as repairs to the runway had been carried out and the base had become operational. Online

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_8-1-2005_pg7_6

I guess now the Indian Government should pay some heed to what the Air Chief is saying and cut the hue n cry over Pakistan's attempts for F-16 acquisition.