ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: The Federal Relief Commission (FRC) is negotiating with French and German authorities to leave their assets, which are presently in the country as part of Nato’s relief mission. The Nato mission would end on February 1 when its mandate expires. Currently, Nato does not plan to leave its assets in the country after that date.

However, discussions are going on between FRC and the French and German embassies on keeping the French fuel farm and two of the four German helicopters via bilateral agreements.

The helicopters deployed here for the operation will in any case have to leave the country at the end of January for maintenance. They could be replaced if a bilateral agreement is reached by then.

The French fuel farm at Abbottabad is supporting the air operation.

The four CH-53 helicopters currently flying for Nato Disaster Relief Team have been participating in the relief operation since the end of October 2005 and have transported more than 1,500 tons of relief goods and over 3,500 victims in Kashmir.

German helicopters have been involved in the operation right from the beginning and two of them were transferred here from Termes, Uzbekistan, on October 10, just two days after the quake hit the region, to support the immediate rescue of innumerable victims in the affected regions. These two helicopters were replaced by four others that are still involved in the operation.

Meanwhile, Nato’s operation in Pakistan is now running at full capacity. An Italian heavy engineering battalion is currently working out of Chakala.

SLING NETS: The US are bringing in 14 net builders. They will work in two teams and be tasked by UNHAS for its additional requirements.