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Muhammad Najeeb in Islamabad
Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga may ask Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for a supply of military planes, helicopters and other military equipment when she meets him in New York this month.
A front-page report in The News said Kumaratunga was expected to request Musharraf for supplies to meet urgent defence needs, when the two meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.
"She is eager to get three F-16 from Pakistan on lease, but due to some legal and practical difficulties, she is willing to go for alternatives like fighter aircraft manufactured with joint collaboration of China and Pakistan," the paper said.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam guerrillas had destroyed three military planes, helicopters and other equipment in a strike at the air force base in Colombo in July.
The paper said: "The option of lease or purchase would be tabled once Pakistan responds in affirmative."
The question of leasing the US-made F-16 planes has two-fold obstacles. Islamabad would have to take clearance from Washington, as the F-16 are US-made.
In addition, the changing situation in South Asia and Pakistan's own defence needs make it difficult for Islamabad to spare any F-16 planes.
Sri Lanka may opt for some used helicopters, Chinese fighter planes and other military equipment, the paper said, quoting unnamed sources.
Colombo had earlier approached New Delhi with a similar request, which was declined.
The next South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation meeting to be held in Nepal in December would also be discussed by the two presidents. Sri Lanka is to hand over the SAARC chairmanship to Nepal this December.
Indo-Asian News Service
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