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U.S. Lawmakers Question F-16 Sales to Pakistan
The Bush administration’s $5 billion arrangement to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan has garnered criticism from U.S. lawmakers who support India, the Associated Press reported today (see GSN, June 30). The House International Relations Committee is scheduled to consider the transaction today. Critics said the White House ignored concerns that the arrangement could give China access to U.S. technology, given Beijing’s military relationship with Islamabad. They have charged that the deal rewards Pakistan despite its moral support for anti-India terrorist groups. “This material is not being used against al-Qaeda. It isn’t. The potential is that it would be used in a war against India,” said Representative Frank Pallone, (D-N.J.). “We don’t need to reward Pakistan for being our friend in the war on terrorism by giving them advanced weapons systems that are not likely to be used in that effort.” Representative Diane Watson (D-Calif.) commended Pakistan’s assistance to the United States in looking for terrorists on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistan, however, has not curtailed its “moral, if not material, support for like-minded extremist groups” she said. The Bush administration believes Pakistan is worthy of U.S. military support and has approved the sale of 18 new jets, AP reported. The agreement would also include the opportunity for Pakistan to order 18 more Lockheed Martin jets and have 26 existing jets refurbished. Halting the sale would be a challenge, lawmakers said. Both houses of Congress would have to approve resolutions before a 30-day review period expires at the end of July. President George W. Bush could veto the resolution, unless the House and Senate both voted by 2-1 margins to override it. Lawmakers were troubled about the possibility that Pakistan would spread the technology to other countries. Scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, considered the father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb, has admitted to having run a nuclear smuggling ring over the years “Pakistan is an ally in the war on terror, but they have a checkered past on proliferation,” said Representative Joe Crowley (D-N.Y). “This is some of our most sophisticated weaponry” (Associated Press/Star-Tribune, July 20).
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