US removes subsidies from F-16 deal with Pakistan
GLOBAL SECURITY .ORG
Iran Press TV
Tue May 3, 2016 6:35AM
The United States has backed away from financing Pakistan's
purchase of US F-16 fighter jets, saying Islamabad needs to pay for the
warplanes itself following objections by members of the US Congress.
US State Department spokesman John Kirby made the announcement
on Monday, saying strong congressional opposition to the deal means
Washington has no authority to subsidize it.
"Given congressional objections, we have told the Pakistanis
that they should put forward national funds for that purpose," he told a
regular news briefing.
However, he said the State Department is against putting
conditions on the use of such funds and said effective engagement with
Pakistan was "critical" to promoting democracy and economic stability in
the country.
In February, the US announced a $699 million contract with
Pakistan that included the sale of up to eight Lockheed Martin F-16s, as
well as radar and other equipment.
However, the deal hit a roadblock in the US Senate after
Republican Senator Bob Corker said he would use his power as chairman of
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to bar Washington from financing
the deal by using US funds.
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