Surplus armour: US says not handing over military gear to Pakistan
Such a transfer will be regarded by Kabul as a breach of agreement.
A file photo of US soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division walk past an armoured vehicle at the forward operating base in Ghazni on May 23, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The United States has rejected as “inaccurate” reports appearing in the US media as well as Afghan claims that Washington planned to hand over surplus armoured vehicles and other military equipment to Pakistan.
The Washington Post reported earlier this week that the Pentagon may give Pakistan some of the $7 billion worth armoured vehicles and other equipment it needs to dispose of now that the war in Afghanistan is nearing its end.
On March 18, Afghanistan’s ‘Mashrano Jirga’ expressed concern over a US decision to hand over its military equipment to Pakistan after taking out from Afghanistan.
The Afghan Senate described the decision a “breach of agreement in the war on terror and if the US is honest to its promises in the war on terror it should avoid giving weapons to a country which supports terrorism and is involved in shedding bloods of the Afghans, Americans and other nations,” the Afghan official Bakhtar news agency reported.
At the same time, the US Army has said, “The United States Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) has seen the inaccurate media reports stating that excess military equipment will be given to Pakistan. These reports are not correct. USFOR-A does not provide or intend to provide any such equipment from Afghanistan to Pakistan.”
“Our commitment to the Afghan people and the Afghan National Security Forces is unwavering,” said General Joseph F Dunford Jr, commander of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said in a statement received here.
The Washington Post had reported the US and Pakistani officials have been discussing the fate of the leftover military hardware that the United States does not want to pay to ship or fly home.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam expressed “deep dismay and disappointment” over what she had viewed as unfounded allegations levelled at her country.
“The world knows how seriously Pakistan has suffered from the scourge of terrorism and extremism over the past three decades, emanating primarily from the conflict and instability beyond our borders,” she had told a weekly briefing.
Aimal Faizi, the Afghan presidential spokesman, says Kabul would object if the US decides to give arms to Pakistan. Faizi told the Voice of America Afghan service last week that his country would oppose such a move. “Afghan security forces need this type of equipment and the US needs to consult with Afghanistan before making such a decision.” said Faizi.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2014.
The United States has rejected as “inaccurate” reports appearing in the US media as well as Afghan claims that Washington planned to hand over surplus armoured vehicles and other military equipment to Pakistan.
The Washington Post reported earlier this week that the Pentagon may give Pakistan some of the $7 billion worth armoured vehicles and other equipment it needs to dispose of now that the war in Afghanistan is nearing its end.
On March 18, Afghanistan’s ‘Mashrano Jirga’ expressed concern over a US decision to hand over its military equipment to Pakistan after taking out from Afghanistan.
The Afghan Senate described the decision a “breach of agreement in the war on terror and if the US is honest to its promises in the war on terror it should avoid giving weapons to a country which supports terrorism and is involved in shedding bloods of the Afghans, Americans and other nations,” the Afghan official Bakhtar news agency reported.
At the same time, the US Army has said, “The United States Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) has seen the inaccurate media reports stating that excess military equipment will be given to Pakistan. These reports are not correct. USFOR-A does not provide or intend to provide any such equipment from Afghanistan to Pakistan.”
“Our commitment to the Afghan people and the Afghan National Security Forces is unwavering,” said General Joseph F Dunford Jr, commander of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said in a statement received here.
The Washington Post had reported the US and Pakistani officials have been discussing the fate of the leftover military hardware that the United States does not want to pay to ship or fly home.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam expressed “deep dismay and disappointment” over what she had viewed as unfounded allegations levelled at her country.
“The world knows how seriously Pakistan has suffered from the scourge of terrorism and extremism over the past three decades, emanating primarily from the conflict and instability beyond our borders,” she had told a weekly briefing.
Aimal Faizi, the Afghan presidential spokesman, says Kabul would object if the US decides to give arms to Pakistan. Faizi told the Voice of America Afghan service last week that his country would oppose such a move. “Afghan security forces need this type of equipment and the US needs to consult with Afghanistan before making such a decision.” said Faizi.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2014.