DATE=4/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-230154
TITLE=PAKISTAN / U-S  (L)
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  DIPLOMATIC SOURCES IN PAKISTAN SAY THAT THE UNITED STATES
HAS OFFERED TO FORGIVE A PORTION OF PAKISTAN'S DEBT TO THE UNITED
STATES, INSTEAD OF REPAYING MONEY THAT PAKISTAN GAVE THE UNITED 
STATES FOR JETS THE U-S NEVER DELIVERED.  AYAZ GUL REPORTS FROM 
ISLAMABAD.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS IN THE PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT SAY 
ONE OF SEVERAL PROPOSALS ISLAMABAD HAS RECEIVED FROM THE UNITED 
STATES IS TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO PAKISTAN IN ITS FOREIGN DEBT EQUAL
TO THE AMOUNT WASHINGTON HAS TO REFUND FOR THE F-16S -- 658 
MILLION DOLLARS.

THE OFFICIALS SAY PAKISTANI LEADERS SO FAR HAVE  NOT  TAKEN ANY 
DECISION ON THE PROPOSALS.  THEY SAY THE U-S GOVERNMENT WANTS TO 
RESOLVE THE ISSUE BEFORE PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON VISITS PAKISTAN 
LATER THIS YEAR.

THE U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS - BILL RICHARDSON - IS 
SAID TO HAVE DISCUSSED THE PROPOSAL WITH PAKISTANI LEADERS DURING
HIS RECENT VISIT TO ISLAMABAD.

PAKISTAN PAID THE MONEY TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF 28 F-16S FIGHTERS 
IN THE LATE EIGHTIES.  BUT THE DEAL WAS FROZEN IN 1990, WHEN 
WASHINGTON CUT OFF MILITARY AND ECONOMIC AID TO PAKISTAN BECAUSE 
OF CONCERN ABOUT ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM.

PAKISTAN HAS THREATENED TO FILE A COURT CASE IN THE UNITED STATES
TO GET THE MONEY BACK.

UNDER THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT MADE FOR THE F-16 WARPLANES, 
PAKISTAN MUST BRING ANY DISPUTES BEFORE AN AMERICAN COURT BY 
FEBRUARY OF 1999.

THE U-S GOVERNMENT EARLIER TRIED TO SELL THE PLANES TO A THIRD 
COUNTRY TO RAISE MONEY TO PAY BACK PAKISTAN. THOSE EFFORTS WERE  
NOT  SUCCESSFUL.

PAKISTANI EXPERTS BELIEVE THE PLANES ARE NOW OUTDATED AND CAN NOT
MEET THE COUNTRY'S AIR DEFENSE REQUIREMENTS. (SINGED)

NEB/AG/KL

23-Apr-98 4:49 PM EDT (2049 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.