Hearing of the Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee: Defeating Al Queda's Air Force: Pakistan's F-16 Program in the Fight Against Terrorism

Statement

REP. JOE WILSON (R-SC): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

And thank you all for being here today. I'm particularly interested in the development of a stable, democratic, prosperous Pakistan. My interest in this is long term; I was born with it. My dad served with the Flying Tigers during World War II. He arrived by ship in Karachi and then spent significant time before going on to China. He spent significant time in India. As I was growing up, he told me of how entrepreneurial the people of India and Pakistan are. And I indeed am just so hopeful for both countries, and I'm very grateful to be serving as the co-chair of the India caucus.

And from that, additionally I have had the opportunity to visit in Islamabad. I've been so impressed by the people that I've met there. I'm also very impressed by what I believe is the professional military of Pakistan. I had the opportunity in 2005 to visit Muzaffarabad, and I saw firsthand the recovery efforts from the earthquake. And as a former National Guard officer myself, I know how difficult it is to organize recovery and relief efforts. And what I saw was first-class and really making a difference helping the people of Pakistan. Indeed, I'm just really hopeful that working together we can achieve the stability, which is important for Pakistan, for America, and particularly important for India, stability in Pakistan.

As we look at this, does the United States seek to expand joint air force training and exercises with Pakistan? If so, does Pakistan's possession of F-16s facilitate this purpose? And so that would be either for Admiral Wieringa or General Field.

REP. WILSON: In regard to the F-16 transfers, has there been any consultation with regional governments, other regional governments, and what's the current status of Boeing's and Lockheed's bids to provide combat aircraft to India?

MR. CAMP: If I might. We have not consulted with other regional governments on this sale, and on the India request for proposals for multi-role combat aircraft, the Indians are now assessing various bids, one by Boeing and one by Lockheed.

REP. WILSON: Okay.

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