15 April 2005	Friday	05 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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RAWALPINDI, April 14: Secretary of Defence, Lt.-Gen (retd.) Tariq Waseem Ghazi, has expressed the hope that revitalization of relations between Pakistan and the US will tremendously benefit the two countries. The secretary of defence was talking to a five-member US defence delegation, led by Lt.-Gen Jeffrey B. Kohler, Director of Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of USA, who had called on him here on Thursday.

They discussed matters pertaining to defence cooperation between the two countries.

The defence secretary apprised the delegation of the defence requirements of Pakistan and asked Lt.-Gen Kohler to expedite the cases lying in pending with the United States.

The director of DSCA congratulated Lt.-Gen (retd.) Tariq Waseem Ghazi on the assumption of the charge of secretary of defence and said that his country had been very sensitive to the defence requirements of Pakistan and efforts would be made to expedite the matter.

Both sides underlined the need for expanding and strengthening relationship between the two countries.

Cooperation in the field of training and education for the armed forces of Pakistan also came under discussion, and the US delegation assured Pakistan of its support in these areas.

US Ambassador to Pakistan, Ryan C. Crocker, was also present in the meeting.

The US defence delegation also called on the Secretary of Defence Production, Lt.-Gen (retd.) Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai, and discussed with him matters of mutual interest.

The Secretary of Defence Production, Lt.-Gen (retd.) Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai, briefed the delegation about steps taken by Pakistan against terrorism, highlighting the role played by the Armed Forces and security agencies of Pakistan against the menace of terrorism.

“Terrorism is our common enemy which needed to be jointly combated,” he said.

General Kohler deeply appreciated the role played by Pakistan in fighting the menace of terrorism.

Later the two sides held detailed meeting.

The Pakistani side was led by the secretary of defence production while the US side was led by director-general of defence purchase.

The secretary of defence production emphasized on the director of DSCA that delivery of F-16 aircraft capable of firing AMRAAM missiles, C-130 aircraft, AIM-9-M missiles, TOW-II missiles, Howitzer 155-MM and TPS-77 radars needed to be expedited.

The director of DSCA told the meeting that he would convey the message to quarters concerned to expedite the delivery of these items.

The US side was told that prices of the said items were required to be rationalized and made cost effective.

The secretary of defence production also told the delegation that benefit for Pakistan of being a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States should be seen in the form of visible delivery of defence equipment.