F-16 sale a business decision, says Washington

Daily Times, Lahore
April 12, 2005
F-16 sale a business decision, says Washington

WASHINGTON: The US clarified on Monday that selling F-16 aircraft to Pakistan was a business decision and should not hurt India, which was still on the list for F-16s. Stephen Blake, director of the US State Department’s South Asia bureau, said, “The F-16 sale is purely a business decision. We are open to selling the aircraft to India as well.”

Asked if the aircraft sale might start an arms race between India and Pakistan, Blake said, “Both countries have their security needs. Once they decide on a particular system, they request it. This is not a threat to South Asia.” He did not agree to a possibility of nuclear war still existing between both countries, saying, “Right now, it is not smart to speculate. Right now, we encourage the way things are going (about improving relations between India and Pakistan).” sana