Zardari for early transfer of drone tech to Pakistan

[Interceptor]

Zardari for early transfer of drone tech to Pakistan

* President says Pak-US defence collaboration must remain strong
* Says strategic dialogue has bridged trust deficit

June 29, 2010

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday urged the US for early transfer of drone technology to Pakistan for its effective use by security forces to curb militancy.

He said this while talking to visiting US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen Norton A Schwartz, who called on him at the President’s House.

The president said that the strategic dialogue process and the frequent interactions between US and Pakistani leadership had replaced the trust deficit between the two countries with a “new sense of partnership” and set their bilateral relations in a positive direction. Matters relating to Pak-US bilateral relations, including defence cooperation, Pakistan’s fight against extremism and security situation in the region, came under discussion during the meeting.

The president said that inclusion of defence dialogue in the ambit of the strategic dialogue framework was also a step in the right direction.

The president thanked the US government for the delivery of F-16 aircrafts, which have been used extensively in counter-terrorism operations.

Zardari urged the US to upgrade the existing F-16s and said that defence collaboration between the two countries must remain strong.

“This technology will not only eliminate PAF’s existing limitations of precision night operations, but also enable the PAF to meet its mission objectives more effectively,” the president said.

The president also emphasised the early reimbursement of arrears owed to Pakistan by the US under the Coalition Support Fund.

Referring to the regional situation, the president said that Pakistan, being a responsible country, was fully aware of its obligations and responsibilities and was committed to peace and stability in the region.

“Pakistan will remain constructively engaged with the US and other international partners to promote the shared objectives of peace, security and development in Afghanistan,” the president said.

He said the Pakistani people and government were committed to dealing with extremism and terrorism.

The president also praised the US leadership for acknowledging Pakistan’s role in the fight against extremism. Speaking on the occasion, Gen Schwartz said that the US highly appreciated the sacrifices made by the people, security forces and other law enforcement agencies of Pakistan in the war against terrorism.

Anne W Patterson, the US ambassador in Pakistan, Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman and Defence Secretary Lt Gen (r) Syed Athar Ali also attended the meeting. app

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