Why is the US not selling F-16 planes to Pakistan?
Well, I am here, in part, to discuss defence requirements and defence needs, as we continue to do. And we are concerned about the defence requirements of Pakistan. We’re concerned about issues of military balance, and as good allies, we will continue to do so. And when will President Bush visit Pakistan and India? Well, that’s a good question. I know he very much wants to come. We hope that it won’t be very long from now… There is a perception here in some political circles that you are here to seek assistance from President Musharraf against Iran. So tell us what was the real objective of your visit? Well, the objective of my visit was — as in my first months as Secretary of State and in the first months of President Bush’s second term — to come here to our valuable ally and friend Pakistan to talk about what we’re doing jointly together in the war on terrorism, but also to make the point to the government of Pakistan and to the Pakistani people that we consider this relationship
