U.S. should transfer drone technology to Pakistan: Qureshi

Pakistan

U.S. should transfer drone technology to Pakistan: Qureshi

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08 October,2009 03:25 am

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi meets with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, at a time when the White House reviews its Afghan war strategy, debating whether to send more troops to Afghanistan or consider other ideas, like stepped bombing attacks on Taliban and al Qaeda targets in Pakistan. The U.S. has already escalated its attacks by pilotless drones on militants in northwestern Pakistani border sanctuaries last year- as the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan intensified. There have been about 60 such strikes since the beginning of 2008. Some in Pakistan say the strikes violate their sovereignty and the civilian casualties they sometimes inflict have inflamed public anger. But in an interview with an international news agency in Washington DC Foreign Minister Qureshi said he understood the value of using the pilotless aircrcaft. People in Pakistan recognize the effectiveness of these drones, he said, adding that many in Pakistan feel they are a threat to their nation's sovereignty. He would like to see is the the U.S, transfer that technology for the Pakistani's. Quereshi said the White House has not closed the door on that plan. They are considering it, their mind is not shut to the argument, but wider consultation may be needed. The minister's visit also comes just after Congress approved a bill tripling aid for Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year for the next five years. It has been sent to President Barack Obama for signature.