Thursday, March 24 2005 13:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: The United States did not promise to supply F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan, Washington's envoy to Pakistan said on Tuesday (Mar 22, 2005).

He also said that the US did not make any offer to Pakistan or India to sell the aircraft if the two countries abandoned the India-Iran gas pipeline project.

"There are certainly no promises," Pakistan's daily Dawn quoted Ambassador Ryan C Crocker was as saying.

Regarding the gas pipeline, Crocker said, "It is a question about American policy and law with respect to economic activities in Iran. We have discussed our concerns here in Pakistan and in India."

He said Washington had strongly backed the ongoing India-Pakistan peace process. "Islamabad and Delhi have taken some important steps such as the recent agreement on bus route from Srinagar-Muzafarabad," he said.