US Offers Pakistan Drones to Urge Cooperation, The New York Times, 21 January 2010
EXCERPT: "The United States will provide a dozen unarmed aerial spy drones to Pakistan for the first time as part of an effort to encourage Pakistan’s cooperation in fighting Islamic militants on the Afghanistan border, American defense officials said Thursday. But Pakistani military leaders, rebuffing American pressure, said they planned no new offensives for at least six months. The Shadow drones, which are smaller than armed Predator drones, will be a significant upgrade in the Pakistanis’ reconnaissance and surveillance ability and will supply video to help cue strikes from the ground or the air. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who is in Pakistan on a two-day visit, disclosed plans for the drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles, in an interview Thursday with a Pakistani television reporter. Asked if the United States planned to provide the Pakistani military with drones, something it has long requested, Mr. Gates replied, 'There are some tactical U.A.V.’s that we are considering, yes.'"
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Related articles:
Pentagon to supply Shadow UAVs to Pakistan, American Forces Press Service via US Central Command, 22 January 2010
Gates strives to build trust with Pakistan military, Reuters, 22 January 2010
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Express TV interview [transcript], US Department of Defense, 21 January 2010
Pak whining on attacks draws rebuke from US, Times News Network via The Times of India, 15 January 2010
Reconciling the drone issue: Part one [blog], Pakistan // Foreign Policy Association, 23 July 2009
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