Bill by Ackerman to prohibit sale of F-16's to Pak

Washington, July 21: Republican Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, today introduced legislation to prohibit the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.

The measure would block the Bush Administration's proposal to sell Pakistan three dozen F-16's for 5 billion dollars.

The bill, after its introduction in the House of Representatives, was immediately referred to the House International Relations Committee-which Mr Ackerman is a senior member of-where the legislation is presently pending.

Mr Ackerman introduced the legislation even after Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs John Hillen assured the House International Relations Committee that concerns about leakage of technology from Pakistan were being addressed by ''an extraordinary security plan'' imposed on the planes and components and accepted by Pakistan's Air Force.

''I have a hard time believing that whatever security arrangements Pakistan has agreed to won't be violated by someone with an interest in earning a little ready cash,'' he said in a written statement.

Congress has the power to block such a sale by enacting a resolution of disapproval in both houses within 30 days of the notification date. It was unclear if Mr Ackerman's legislation could be passed before that deadline, which falls next week.

Stopping the sale would be difficult, lawmakers said. It would require the passage of a resolution in both the House and Senate before a 30-day review period which runs out at the end of this month. US President George W Bush could veto any resolution, and the sale would proceed, unless both chambers of Congress voted by 2-1 margins to override the veto.

UNI