Author: Josy Joseph
Publication: Rediff on Net
Date: May 20, 2003
URL: http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/may/20spec.htm
In the final part of the series
based on mission papers prepared by the US embassy in Islamabad, we examine
the gains, military and otherwise, for Pakistan provided it continues to
toe the American line.
As Pakistan turns into America's
launch pad and frontline state in its fight against terrorism, there is
much that General Pervez Musharaf's country stands to gain.
According to documents available
with rediff.com, the US embassy in Pakistan has recommended a massive list
of military wares, financial aid on several fronts and other assistance
as it re-engages Islamabad.
Engagements after 9/11 "have convincingly
shown that US global and regional interests require close engagement with
Pakistan. The use of sanctions in a different era to alter Pakistani policy
did not work. Engagement, particularly after September 11, has yielded
better results and promises to lead to a stronger, healthier and more mutually
beneficial relationship between the United States and Pakistan," say the
papers.
So what does this 'close engagement'
entail?
The most visible is the request
for military equipment approved by the US defense attaché to Islamabad.
The list submitted last year end
has UH-II utility helicopters, AH-I attack helicopters, VHF/UHF aircraft
radio sets, T-37 flight training aircraft, AN/ FPS-117 surveillance radars,
E-2C warning and control aircraft, Bell 407 reconnaissance helicopters
and I-GNAT unmanned aerial vehicles among other things.
Pakistan is also asking for upgrade
and pilot training for its P-3C patrol aircraft, seen as a potent weapons
platform against Indian naval vessels.
Another request approved by the
US defense attache is for the C-130 cargo aircraft, similar to the one
used to transport critical nuclear systems to North Korea in exchange for
missiles.
After the mandatory approval, most
of the equipment would be bought by Pakistan using the US government's
Foreign Military Financing grant. Pakistan is set to get almost $ 200 million
under this for 2003-2004. The Defense attaché says Pakistanis "have
the $75mil (million) FY02 (financial year 2002) supplemental budget to
draw from."
The cost of the C-130 cargo aircraft
and pilot training would be from money allotted under fiscal 2002, the
attaché says. All the items on the list have been informally vetted
with US services and "reflect what we think will be approved," he adds.
All these "items are defensive in
nature and will be used for Pakistani participation in the war on terror
and counter drug surveillance operations," he concludes.
Besides the military equipment and
training, Pakistan would also receive several hundred millions of dollars
for various activities.
The US mission has recommended that
Pakistan be provided $ 200 million each in fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005 under
the Economic Support Fund, which would be used to pay for the bilateral
debt. US President George W Bush had pledged this amount during General
Musharraf's visit to the US in February 2002.
The USAID would provide development
assistance/child survival grants of $ 50 million annually from 2003 to
2005. These funds are meant for poverty alleviation, human development
and economic revitalisation.
Over $ 50 million has been projected
directly for counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics fight. A sizeable
chunk of this amount would go to border security along Pak-Afghan border,
small portions each to law enforcement, crop control (of drugs) and programme
support.
In 2002, US had provided a special
$ 73 million package for improving security along the Pak-Afghan border.
For foreign military funding, the
projection by the US mission for each year beginning 2003 till 2005 was
$150 million each. Some media reports say this has been revised to increase
the amount. A key aim of the increased military funds would be to "sustain
US equipment in Pakistan's inventory, thus improving interoperability."
Pakistan would also receive $ 1.5
million in 2003 and 2004 for international military education and training
and the amount will go up to $ 2 million in 2005.
Another $ 4 million is being given
to NGOs working for the transition of Pakistan's democracy and strengthening
of its democratic institutions.