WASHINGTON - The Bush administration has indicated that it would go ahead with its "considered decision" to divert money from US counterterrorism aid to Pakistan to upgrade the aging Pakistani F-16 fighters despite objections from two Democratic lawmakers. "To my knowledge, there's no decision to - there's no need " to change the decision at this point," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said when asked how the administration proposed to proceed in view of the request made by House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman and Congresswoman Nita Lowey to put the move on hold. At the same time, McCormack said the administration would work with lawmakers to convince them of its move. "This was a considered decision. We think it was the right decision to take. This was an important priority of this incoming government that it had focused on this F-16 programme, but is also committed, they say, to fighting terrorism." When the plan was disclosed last week, some members of Congress questioned how the upgraded F-16s, widely seen as aimed at countering any threat from India, would be used against al Qaeda and Taliban forces. Congressional staffers indicated that the Bush administration could still transfer the money if it wished but typically sought to respect such requests from lawmakers. On Wednesday, the spokesman said, "The argument made was that this mid-life upgrade to the F-16s will actually help - could help them in the fight against terrorism in the tribal areas." The US Administration has proposed to reallocate about $230 million aid to upgradation F-16 jets Pakistan purchased from the US in 1980s. The upgrades, avionics, and communications and other things could help out with close air support to counter terrorism missions, he said. "It's a valid, reasonable argument. Some people may disagree, but it was the considered opinion of the Executive Branch and the Administration that this was the right move, a move that certainly was supported and desired by the Pakistani Government." "All that said, I'm sure that I can't tell you what our communication has been with the (Capitol) Hill since we have heard these concerns, but I'm sure that our folks are going to be talking to them to see if there's any way to address their concerns." The administration, he said, will talk to the Congressmen in question and try to understand their concerns and try to convey to them the reasons for the decision. "It's the nature of our system, where Congress holds the purse strings, and so it - you know, obviously want to have a cooperative work - good working relationship, which we do with our committees and with the Congress," he added. APP adds: Speaker of the US House of Representative Nancy Pelosi Wednesday assured Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani of bipartisan support for democracy and economic development in Pakistan. She called the friendship between the two nations as vitally important. "The relationship between the United States and Pakistan is very important, issues like fighting terrorism, stability in South Asia and economic development in Pakistan are important to both our countries," she said. Welcoming the Pakistani leader along with House Minority Leader, she stated the United States and Pakistan are friends and expressed her profound condolences over the tragic loss of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. She congratulated the Pakistani leader on Pakistani people's "eloquent statement in electing a democratic government". Prime Minister Gilani said the two countries enjoy close friendship since the creation of Pakistan. He called for joint efforts to combat the menace of terrorism. The prime minister said he has come to the United States with a message of peace. House Minority leader Johnn Boehner also assured the Pakistani leader of bipartisan support for Pakistan. Meanwhile, US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Richard Boucher on Wednesday termed Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's visit to the United States as "good" and said it would help foster relationships between the two countries. Boucher, who arrived here at Andrews Air force Base to see off Prime Minster Yousuf Raza Gilani after his four-day official visit to the United States, had a brief interaction with the reporters. He said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's visit would help further strengthen the relationship between the two countries in future. The positive outcome of the PM Gilani's visit was obvious from the joint declaration of President George W Bush and PM Gilani at White House.