ISLAMABAD: Three day Pakistan U.S talks will begin in Washington from April 2 to finalize modalities for release of military equipment to Pakistan under the recently enacted Brown Amendment.

Informed sources said here recently, that a high level team comprising representatives of the three services and the Defense Ministry would represent Pakistan at the talks.

‘The sources recalled that the talks would be held in light of the decision taken at the Pakistan U.S, consultative group which met in Washington last year. They said that the two sides would review all two hundred and twenty contracts relating to Foreign Military Sales (FMS) which also include the equipment to be released to Pakistan.

The sources maintained that there were certain items out of the total 220 contracts which had been put in storage after application of the Pressler amendment on Pakistan adding that these items required certain treatment before being flown to Pakistan.

Responding to a question, the sources said that proper testing and inspection of these items would also be carried out if necessary. “During the talks, the two sides will also discuss ways to dispose of items like “standard missiles” which are no longer required by Pakistan,” the sources said and added that a number of other technical matters involving release of the equipment would come under discussion.

Asked as to why the standard missiles were not required, the sources said that these missiles were to be installed on the eight U.S. frigates which had already been returned to America at the completion of their lease.

It may be recalled that Pakistan has the eight U.S. warships with six Britishtype21 frigates which have already been inducted into the Pakistan Navy. ‘The sources replied in the affirmative when asked if the issue of the return of repaired equipment of the Pakistan Air Force would also figure at the talks.

They hoped that the two countries would reach an agreement about the return of the repaired equipment during their forthcoming talks. Asked if the U.S. had returned the unrepaired equipment of the PAF, the sources said that some of the equipment had already been returned by the United States. ‘The equipment to be released include M198 Howitzers, TPQ36 radars, P3C torpedo components, spares for F100 (F16 engine), Peace Gate 11 support equipment and the Peace Gate 111 support package. Out of the total 368 million dollar purchase, the army equipment amounts to 77.4 million dollars and the navy 191.8 million dollars.

[P.L3/8/96]

Article extracted from this publication >>  March 20, 1996