Bush plans $5 billion arms sale to Pakistan

The Bush Administration said on Monday that it planned to sell Pakistan up to 36 advanced F-16 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp, upgrades of about 60 existing aircraft, about 500 missiles, about 700 2,000 pound bombs, and support systems in a weapons package that could be worth more than $5 billion.

The proposed sale of 18 new "Fighting Falcon" fighters with an option for 18 more demonstrates the United States' commitment to a long-term relationship with Pakistan, White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters.

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping an ally meet its legitimate defense requirements," the Pentagon said in the notice.
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What the Pentagon didn't say is that General Mahmoud Ahmad, director of Pakistan's version of the CIA (the Inter Services Intelligence), had $100,000 wired directly to 911 ringleader Mohammed Atta on September 10th, 2001. Not only that, but General Mahmoud Ahmad on the morning of the attacks was breakfasting with the heads of the House and Senate intelligence committees in Washington.

This doesn't even consider the larger issue of the Pakistani-Indian conflict and the Bush administration's decision to engage in nuclear technology transfer with India.
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Links to the details on the proposed arms sale to Pakistan

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