USA: PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER VISITS THE WHITE HOUSE скачать в хорошем качестве

USA: PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER VISITS THE WHITE HOUSE

(3 Dec 1998) English/Nat Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with President Clinton Wednesday at the White House. On the agenda were several matters which have strained relations between the United States and Pakistan, including an escalation in the nuclear arms testing by Pakistan and India. There were also signs of a breakthrough on the long running dispute over Pakistan's purchase of American-made F-16 fighters which were never delivered. During a brief Oval Office photo opportunity, both Clinton and Sharif expressed the hope that negotiations between India and Pakistan over the issue of Kashmir will continue. Clinton said he would help negotiate the issue - should he be asked by the two countries. On another matter, the President said he would report to Sharif on an administration plan to return some of Pakistan's 658 (m) million U-S dollar investment in American-made F-16 fighter planes. Pakistan never received those planes after Congress cut off sales of military arms in 1990. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I have a report to make to him on this issue which is somewhat more extensive and after we have a chance to discuss it we will make a statement obviously to the public, where we are on this, so I'd like to have a chance to discuss it with him and then we'll have a statement to make on it." SUPERCAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President The administration is reportedly working on a "lease" arrangement with New Zealand for an F-16 transfer to Pakistan. At the same time, the United States would refund a portion of the original sales price to Pakistan. The president did not indicate how much the refund might total. Reports from New Zealand say the planes would be leased for 105 (m) million U-S dollars. The F-16 is a front line air force fighter with a full complement of armaments including air to ground missiles. The president also restated his commitment to help negotiate a settlement to the dispute over the province of Kashmir between India and Pakistan. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Let me say that I have been very encouraged that the two governments have resumed their direct conversations and I think that's very hopeful and I think Prime Minister Sharif has been very forthcoming in this regard and I think that he deserves a lot of credit for that and I hope that the people of Pakistan support his decision to continue this dialogue with India. I think that at any time if there is anything I can do that both parties will agree to our doing, of course I would be happy to do it." SUPERCAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President As a sign of good faith in the on-going talks, President Clinton signed papers waving, until late next year, sanctions that were imposed on both India and Pakistan following nuclear bomb testing last May. The long anticipated waiver opened the way for U-S loans and investments in the two nations, and crucial U-S backing for the I-M-F's five and a half (b) billion dollar economic bailout plan for Pakistan. But the source of animosity between Pakistan and India remains - the Kashmir dispute. Speaking after the meeting, Sharif repeated his calls for the U-S to help the two countries reach an agreement. SOUNDBITE: (English) "We reviewed the recent situation in the context of the long standing Kashmir dispute, recognised by the international community as the root cause of instability in south Asia. I emphasised the need for effective U.S engagement in promoting a solution of the dispute in accordance with the U-N Security Council resolutions and wishes of the people of Kashmir." Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...