Bush Administration Clears F-16s to Pakistan

The Bush administration formally notified Congress Wednesday of a planned sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, April 28).

Islamabad would be given the option to purchase 18 new jets, order as many as 18 more, and have 26 of its existing aircraft refurbished, according to AP.

The Bush administration yesterday denied that the sale was an attempt to balance the pending U.S.-Indian civilian nuclear agreement (see GSN, June 29).

“We believe in treating each country individually,” said State Department spokeswoman Julie Reside. “Each faces defense issues different from the other” (Barry Schweid, Associated Press/Yahoo!News, June 30).

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