02 February 2005	Wednesday	22 Zilhaj 1425

RAWALPINDI, Feb 1: The Pakistan-United States Security Assistance Working Group (SAWG) discussed defence cooperation in a meeting here on Tuesday.

The meeting was held at the defence production ministry in a cordial atmosphere, said an official statement.

The group discussed "a wide range of issues concerning the defence equipment requirements of the armed forces of Pakistan as well as financial management issues related to foreign military funding," it said.

The meeting was presided over by Defence Production Additional Secretary Maj-Gen Ali Baz and US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Deputy Director Richard Millies.

Maj-Gen Ali Baz gave a presentation on the present and future defence equipment requirements of the armed forces of Pakistan being funded through the US foreign military sales programme.

The US delegation noted the defence requirements of Pakistan and promised to work for early release of the equipment. The visiting delegation informed the Pakistani side that some of the equipment was in the pipeline.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Political and Military Affairs, State Department, Kara Bue, gave a briefing on the major non-Nato ally status given to Pakistan by the US.

Mr Millies, the chief of the US delegation, appreciated Pakistan's efforts in fighting and curbing terrorism. The US delegation consisted of 19 members. The meeting was part of the Pakistan-US Defence Consultative Group forum, which will meet on Thursday. -APP