US Proposed To Transfers Its Military Equipment From Iraq To Pakistan
Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 1:05 pm
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has proposed transferring US military equipment from Iraq to Pakistani security forces to help Islamabad step up its offensive against the Taliban, according to officials and government documents.
The Pentagon request for the authority to “transfer articles no longer needed in Iraq” to the army of Pakistan received a cool reception in the U.S. Congress, where some questioned what safeguards would ensure the arms would not end up being diverted to Pakistan’s border with India.
The inclusion of Pakistan in the request, along with Iraq and Afghanistan, underscored the high priority the Pentagon places on freeing up equipment the Pakistani army says it needs to mount ground operations in South Waziristan and other Taliban strongholds bordering Afghanistan.
In addition to the possibility of transfers from Iraq, the Pentagon is considering expanding programs under which Washington procures equipment for Pakistani forces through third governments, or leases them U.S. equipment at nominal rates, sources briefed on the discussions said.
The Pentagon declined to comment on Pakistan’s inclusion in the proposal, first raised with key congressional committees in June.
Under the proposal, Defense Secretary Robert Gates would have the authority to “transfer both excess and non-excess defense stocks, along with defense services in connection with the transfers,” to the three governments. He already has some authority to transfer equipment deemed as “excess.”
The Pentagon did not say in its request to Congress what equipment would become eligible for transfer as U.S. forces gradually leave Iraq. U.S. combat troops pulled out of Iraqi cities and towns in June, and all U.S. forces are due to move out by the end of 2011.
Pentagon officials said a review was under way to determine what equipment could be left behind in Iraq and transferred to allies. “The secretary believes we’ve got to be more flexible, more responsive, more rapid in our dealings with friends and allies around the world, particularly militaries we’re trying to develop quickly,” said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell.
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