Push it to the next administration: McCain.
AB Wire
Arizona Sen. John McCain has expressed his reservations on the “timing” of the announcement of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.
The U.S. government announced on Feb. 12 that it had approved the sale to Pakistan of up to eight F-16 fighter jets, as well as radars and other equipment in a deal valued at $699 million, reported Reuters. The deal drew immediate criticism from India.
McCain, Chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters on Thursday in Washington, DC, that the Obama administration needs to explain the reason behind its decision which “complicates” India-US relations.
“I think that the future of Asia, if we want to have the kind of influence that we always had and a deterrence to the Chinese behavior is a very close relationship between the United States and India. Which by the way the F-16 issue complicates that,” McCain said.
Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has put a hold on the administration’s notification to the US Congress early this month on the proposed sale of F-16s to Pakistan.
“This is really a tough one for me and for a lot of people. I think the timing was really bad on this issue,” McCain said on his position on the sale of F-16s to Pakistan.
“It is not that far away. You know that F-16 issue has been hanging out there for four-five years. I think we could have waited a little longer,” he added, referring to the upcoming presidential polls.
“Frankly I am very conflicted on this issue. I would like to see an argument made by the administration rather than just an announcement. The two countries that are very important to us are India and Pakistan,” he said.
“So it is not very often that I duck on an issue, but honestly, I am still thinking about it as to what we need to do. I think, the best way to do it is to have a hearing in the foreign relations committee which is their area of responsibility. I think Corker is going to do that,” McCain said.
Separately, U.S. Senator Rand Paul said Thursday he had introduced a resolution of disapproval seeking to halt U.S. arms sales to Pakistan’s government. If passed, the measure would stop the F-16 sale.
U.S. lawmakers now have 30 days to block the sale, although such action is rare since deals are usually well vetted before any formal notification, reported Reuters.