News
Saturday, March 27, 2010
US looks to export drone technology to allies
* Shah Mehmood Qureshi says giving drones would change US image
WASHINGTON: US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday he hoped to export the coveted US drone technology to allies, despite legal hurdles, and played down the threat from rival drone programmes in nations like Iran.
Gates, testifying at a Senate hearing, said it was in the US interest to try to help friendly nations get drone technology, despite limitations on exports imposed by an international pact. “There are other countries that are very interested in this capability and frankly it is in our interest to see what we can do for them,” Gates said.
Militant groups, as opposed to other countries, were a bigger concern when it came to the spread of drone technology. He said he shared lawmakers’ concerns about the spread of the technology to adversaries and “about them getting into the hands of those who are our adversaries”. But he also said the US had only sold UAVs to Italy and Britain so far.
“With respect to export... I think there are some specific cases where we have allies with whom we have formal treaty alliances who have expressed interest in these capabilities,” he said.
Image: Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the US would improve its public standing if it let Islamabad spearhead drone attacks, AFP reported. Qureshi acknowledged in a CNN interview that drone attacks by US forces against extremists in Pakistani had “taken out some valuable targets”. But he said, “The issue of sovereignty is there. People of Pakistan feel strongly about it.” “We want the ownership. We make the decision when to operate,” he said. “It will help improve the feelings in Pakistan.” Asked if the US had agreed to his request, he said, “I don’t think so.” agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk