| Taken Questions Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC December 19, 2001 Taken Question From December 19, 2001 Briefing Pakistan: Status of U.S. Assistance for Border SecurityQuestion: Have the fixed wing aircraft and helicopters that the U.S. Government agreed to provide Pakistan for border security been shipped? When will they arrive? Answer: The $73 million Supplemental Border Security Assistance Package for Pakistan is being developed in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan. Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Paul Simons led an assessment team to Pakistan November 13-16 for consultations with Pakistani officials responsible for border security. Both U.S. and Pakistan Governments agreed on a set of funding priorities including trucks and utility vehicles to enhance ground mobility, fixed wing surveillance aircraft and helicopters to bolster air mobility, enhanced communication equipment and improved surveillance technology. Equipment is being procured and will be arriving over the next few months. The two sides also agreed on the importance of establishing training programs and professional exchanges to enhance the utility of the assistance provided by the United States. Finally, they agreed to meet in the United States in early 2002 to advance implementation of the border security project and to explore other opportunities to deepen narcotics and law enforcement cooperation. |
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