The Hindu : U.S., Pak. form working groups on defence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 26, 2002

International

International

U.S., Pak. form working groups on defence

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD Sept. 25. Senior Pakistani and U.S. defence officials, who commenced formal dialogue on defence co-operation on Tuesday, have split into three working groups on "military cooperation, security assistance, and anti-terrorism" for an in-depth discussion and drawing a road map for strengthening defence ties.

Islamabad has high expectations from the four-day meeting that marks the revival of what is known as Pak.-U.S. Defence Consultation Group, suspended since Pakistan conducted its nuclear explosions in May 1998 in response to Indian tests.

The talks are being held in Rawalpindi, the town where Pakistan's military headquarters is located.

An official statement said here that the "military cooperation" group discussed issues related to joint military exercises, seminars, conferences and other exchange programmes proposed to be held between the two countries. The "security assistance" group discussed matters pertaining to cooperation in defence equipment, exports licences, cooperation under Foreign Military Sales programme, and other related issues. The discussions would conclude on Friday. Tome H. Walters Jr., Director Defence Security Cooperation Agency, U.S., who is heading one of working groups, today called on the Pakistan Secretary, Defence Production, Zahid Anis, along with other members of his delegation, in Rawalpindi. They discussed matters related to enhancement of defence cooperation between the two countries.

The Secretary briefed him on Pakistan's "defence potential as well as defence requirement under the prevailing conditions". However, the official statement did not elaborate on the "defence requirement" of Pakistan. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, during his visit to New York, had expressed concern over what he had termed as "stockpiling" of defence equipment by India and argued on the need for Pakistan to maintain balance in conventional weapons.

The consultative group meeting is expected to discuss some concrete proposals when Douglas J. Feith, U.S. Under Secretary of Defence (Policy) joints it tomorrow.

He is scheduled to co-chair the opening session of the meeting tomorrow.

Since Pakistan joined the U.S.-led coalition against the war on "international terrorism" the Musharraf Government has been pressing Washington to release sophisticated defence equipment and spare parts. This was one of the subjects at the summit meeting between Gen. Musharraf and the U.S. President, George W. Bush, in New York in the second week of September.

In recognition of the "valuable" contribution made by Pakistan to the war on terrorism, the U.S. had lifted the sanctions imposed on Islamabad in the wake of the nuclear explosions and announced revival of the Defence Consultation Group.

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