U.S. Withdraws Military Aid

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31344, 14 April 1967, Page 13

U.S. Withdraws Military Aid

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

NEW DELHI, April 13.

The United States Government has announced that it would not resume granting military aid to India or Pakistan and that it was closing its military missions to both countries.

In statements released In New Delhi and in Rawalpindi the United States Government also said it would keep its policy on military sales under careful review to, ensure that it was not contributing to an arms race between India and Pakistan.

“We strongly hope that both countries will make progress in resolving problems and differences that divide them and accord an increasing priority In allocation of their

resources to agricultural and industrial development,” it said.

The statement added that present United States Government restrictions on sale to both countries of spare parts for previously-supplied equipment would be modified.

American military aid to both countries, India and Pakistan, was suspended in September, 1965, during the border war between the two countries. America’s decision would “imperil peace in this subcontinent” was New Delhi’s reaction.

In an official statement the Government said that instead of reducing tension and arms expenditure, the United States decision would lead to creation of fresh tensions and an arms race.