DATE=12/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243286
TITLE= PAKISTAN / U-S (L-ONLY)
BYLINE= AYAZ GUL
DATELINE= ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF SAYS (SATURDAY) A 
LONG-STANDING DISPUTE WITH THE UNITED STATES OVER  THE SALE OF 28
F-16 FIGHTER PLANES HAS BEEN RESOLVED.  AYAZ GUL HAS DETAILS FROM
THE PAKISTANI CAPITAL. 

TEXT:  MR. SHARIF (SATURDAY) TOLD REPORTERS  IN ISLAMABAD THAT 
PRESIDENT CLINTON TELEPHONED HIM FRIDAY NIGHT WITH A SOLUTION TO 
THE EIGHT-YEAR OLD DISPUTE OVER THE SALE OF THE F-16 FIGHTER 
AIRCRAFT TO PAKISTAN.

THE PAKISTANI LEADER SAYS THE DISPUTE HAS BEEN A "PERSISTENT 
IRRITANT" IN BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND THE UNITED 
STATES,  BUT HE SAYS THIS IS NOW OVER. 

                                  //SHARIF ACT// 

         IT GIVES ME PLEASURE TO INFORM YOU THAT THE F-16 MATTER 
         HAS NOW BEEN AMICABLY, AND TO OUR SATISFACTION, 
         RESOLVED. THE TWO GOVERNMENTS HAVE CLOSED THE ISSUE WITH
         AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS. THIS IS A CONCRETE AND POSITIVE 
         OUTCOME OF MY VISIT TO WASHINGTON. NOT ONLY HAS A MAJOR 
         IRRITANT BEEN REMOVED, BUT AS A RESULT AN ATMOSPHERE OF 
         GREATER TRUST AND MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COOPERATION HAS 
         BEEN FOSTERED. 

                           //END ACT//

PRIME MINISTER SHARIF SAYS  ISLAMABAD WILL GET A TOTAL  OF 467- 
MILLION DOLLARS FROM WASHINGTON -- MONEY THAT PAKISTAN PAID FOR 
THE UNDELIVERED JETS.

MR. SHARIF SAYS  THE U-S WILL REPAY PAKISTAN ABOUT 70-PERCENT OF 
THE MONEY  IN CASH BY THE END OF DECEMBER.  THE REST WILL BE 
PAYED BACK IN WHEAT AND OTHER PURCHASES FROM THE UNITED STATES 
OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.  

THE UNITED STATES FROZE THE  MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR AIRCRAFT DEAL 
ALONG WITH ECONOMIC AND MILITARY AID TO PAKISTAN IN 1990 IN 
PROTEST OF THE MUSLIM COUNTRY'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM. 

LAST MAY PAKISTAN CARRIED OUT A SERIES OF NUCLEAR TESTS WHICH 
TRIGGERED FURTHER ECONOMIC SANCTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES. BUT, 
IN NOVEMBER PRESIDENT CLINTON PARTIALLY LIFTED THE SANCTIONS 
AFTER PAKISTAN SAID IT WILL SIGN THE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY BY 
SEPTEMBER, 1999. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/PLM

19-Dec-98 8:33 AM EST (1333 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.