VV o n g B a
03-25-2005, 11:04 AM
pretty disgusting imho. we say we want peace in the region but we sell high tech weapons to both sides. the only thing i'm really surprised at is how completely blatant this is.
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U.S. to Sell F-16 Jets to Pakistan and India
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/misc/spacer.gif
Published: March 25, 2005
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States has agreed to sell sophisticated F-16 fighter planes to both India and its next-door rival Pakistan, administration officials said Friday, and India immediately expressed displeasure to President Bush.
The diplomatically sensitive move -- which the administration was ready to announce later Friday -- rewards Pakistan for help in the war on terrorism but angers India, a U.S. ally and a fellow democracy.
Bush, who is spending holiday time at his Texas ranch, called Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh early Friday to tell him of the long-anticipated decision. The State Department planned to describe details of the sale later in the day.
Singh ``conveyed to President Bush his great disappointment over the United States' decision,'' Sanjaya Baru, the prime minister's spokesman said. Singh said sales to Pakistan endanger security in the region, Baru said.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, linked the proposed sales of the planes, manufactured by Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin, directly to Musharraf's cooperation after the terror attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. This official maintained the sale would not upset the balance of power in the region.
full story (http://nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-US-India-Pakistan.html?hp&ex=1111813200&en=759cddfb819a9a8d&ei=5094&partner=homepage)
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U.S. to Sell F-16 Jets to Pakistan and India
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/misc/spacer.gif
Published: March 25, 2005
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States has agreed to sell sophisticated F-16 fighter planes to both India and its next-door rival Pakistan, administration officials said Friday, and India immediately expressed displeasure to President Bush.
The diplomatically sensitive move -- which the administration was ready to announce later Friday -- rewards Pakistan for help in the war on terrorism but angers India, a U.S. ally and a fellow democracy.
Bush, who is spending holiday time at his Texas ranch, called Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh early Friday to tell him of the long-anticipated decision. The State Department planned to describe details of the sale later in the day.
Singh ``conveyed to President Bush his great disappointment over the United States' decision,'' Sanjaya Baru, the prime minister's spokesman said. Singh said sales to Pakistan endanger security in the region, Baru said.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, linked the proposed sales of the planes, manufactured by Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin, directly to Musharraf's cooperation after the terror attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. This official maintained the sale would not upset the balance of power in the region.
full story (http://nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-US-India-Pakistan.html?hp&ex=1111813200&en=759cddfb819a9a8d&ei=5094&partner=homepage)