First it was money, now it's weapons

ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari is intending to link the start of a full scale military operation in Waziristan with the provision of military equipment by the US. According to sources, he would press on US President Obama to expedite the delivery of these weapons, when he meets him in New York on September 24 to help Islamabad in meeting its urgent needs for adequate military equipment to continue with counter-terrorism campaign.
Well-placed sources told The Nation that President Zardari is likely to proceed on a hectic visit to the USA next week to attend UN General Assembly as well as Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) summit.
Sources said that Pakistan has been in talks with the USA for more than five years now, seeking requisite military hardware to play bolster its effective role in war against terror and as part of counter-terrorism efforts, but failed to secure sustained supply.
Pakistan has been in talks not only with the US but other developed countries for military aid to meets its requirements, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told The Nation.
He said Pakistan has been pursuing a list of ten to twelve items including gunship helicopters and night vision goggles firmed up by the Ministry of Defence.
He did not comment when asked whether President Zardari would take up the matter with US President Obama with special reference to military operation in Waziristan.
However, other sources privy to these developments were of the view that President Zardari would make it clear to the US that war against terror would adversely be impacted if US and other developed countries failed to support Pakistans counter terrorism efforts.