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Pak boost for Lankan defence

US$ 30 million more military credit to Sri Lanka

By Gamini Abeywardanein Islamabad
 Pakistan will continue to assist Sri Lanka in its fight against terrorism, and to safeguard its territorial integrity, and no country will be able stand its way, says the caretaker Foreign Minister of Pakistan Inam Ul Haq.

 Haq was addressing a delegation of media personnel from Sri Lanka in Islamabad. Haq who is a former foreign secretary of Pakistan and a seasoned diplomat, reiterated that Sri Lanka and Pakistan have been consistently supporting each other in both regional and international fora, and that in all probability the same level of cooperation will continue in the future.

 He said that Pakistan has already provided US$ 30 million worth of credit for Sri Lanka to purchase military hardware, and that they are considering providing another US$ 30 million in the near future.

“Pakistan is a victim of terrorism, and is determined to eradicate it internationally. As a frontline state in the fight against terrorism, we will help Sri Lanka to fight terrorism and safeguard its sovereignty, The LTTE has been internationally declared a terrorist organization,” Haq said.

 H said that they have allocated about 250 to 300 training slots to military personnel in Sri Lanka, and over the years more than 2000 Sri Lankan military personnel have been trained in some of the best military academies in Pakistan..

However when questioned, Haq refused to comment on the exact nature of the military hardware and equipment provided to Sri Lanka.

 Asked about whether Pakistan would sign any specific defence pacts with Sri Lanka, he said that such a pact is not necessary. “Terrorism is not a cross border issue but an international one, and therefore such pacts are not necessary to fight international terrorism”.

 He said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka are independent countries and their  cooperation will continue notwithstanding Indian concerns, “ We believe that  Sri Lanka is fighting to safeguard its territorial integrity,” he said.,