The American government is said to have stopped Germany to contract a multi-million dollar deal for the sale of 800 Armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to the Pakistan army, after getting annoyed with the recent moves of the new political government in Islamabad to strike peace deals with the Taliban in the tribal areas.
Earlier, the American state department which actually hold the license for the manufacturing and sale of these APCs, being prepared in Germany as a part of defence agreement, had granted the permission to the Germany authorities to provide these APCs to Pakistan. But, now all of sudden, it has reviewed its decision. The sources said, the only consideration behind this move was none other than the recent peace deals in the tribal areas of Pakistan, as the Americans were found to be annoyed with the new political government at Islamabad.
This recent move was actually being seen as an attempt to put pressure on the new leadership of the Pakistan army so that the peace deals should not be contracted with Taliban elements in the tribal and other parts of the NWFP.
Earlier, this deal was put on the hold because of the European Union concerns after President General Æ Pervez Musharraf had staged a mini coup on November 3, 2007 after he sacked the judges and suspended the basic human rights. These drastic steps against the political forces and the judges had greatly provoked the European union to slap sanctions on the supply of the military equipments to Pakistan.
But, sources said, now after the return of the new political government in Islamabad, the German government again gave indication to contract the supply of the APCs, but this time, it is said the Americans have stopped the Germany to supply the APC.
When contacted by The News, Brig Æ Samson Simon confirmed that there were certain EU sanction because of action taken on November 3. “All the military trading of the equipments have been put on hold including the deal for the 800 APC”, said Brig Simon who is the director of Eastern Management Services, a business partner of the German supplier Fahrzeugwerk Gmbh (FWW)—-confirmed. He, however, refused to make any comment that now this time the Americans were behind the sudden move to block the supply of these 800 modified APCs for their use in the tribal areas of Pakistan.
Earlier, sources said, the German army had abandoned using these APCs after upgrading their own war weapons after handing over those used weapons to the North bound official Armies and repair and overhaul workshops in the Northern of Germany. The Germany was ready to sell these second hand weapons to different countries after their upgradation including Pakistan. After initial negotiations, the Germans were ready to provide these modified weapons to the Pakistan army, so that it could fight in the tribal areas more effectively. Although, the Pakistan was also using its locally manufactured APCs in the tribal areas, but they were said to be not as effective as these German could be because of their standards and quality. These APCs were being sold at very cheap price, if compared to their actual prices of these items, so that Pakistan could effectively fight against the terrorists in the tribal areas of the country.
Earlier, in December 2007, the FWW had got obtained the export license from the Germany as well from the US state department was granted for Pakistan. But, all of sudden, the government of Pakistan was informed that because of the political situation in Pakistan arising out of the judicial crises, the firm was asked to postpone the release of APCs for the next two months. Before the suspension in the supply of these APCs, the Germans were offerings these weapons after repair and maintenance in the workshops of Germany. These APCs were to be modernize with engine, gearbox, braking and stearing system and suspension system and protection according to the requirements of the tribal areas.
But, sources said now the German firm has been told that it should not further negotiate the deal as the Americans who actually hold the licenses for the sale of the APCs were not ready for their immediate supply.
When contacted by The News, ISPR Major General Athar Abbas said, he did not have any idea about this proposed deal. He said, however, Pakistan was using the locally manufactured APCs in the tribal areas where the police and FC were given these machines to fight against the local fighters. He said he would check with the concerned officials and return the call to give the full version.
SOURCE: THE NEWS
RAUF KLASRA
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