Sunday, March 27 2005 14:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Larry Pressler, a former US Senator who was instrumental in halting supply of nuclear-capable F-16 fighters to Pakistan, yesterday (Mar 26, 2005) dubbed as "unwise" Washington's decision to resume the delivery of the warplanes.

He said from Washington that the move could fuel tensions in South Asia considering relations between India and Pakistan and their nuclear status.

"I am opposed to the decision. It is an unwise decision," Pressler said when asked to comment on the Bush Administration's decision announced on Friday night (Mar 25, 2005).

"F-16 is a nuclear-delivery device... It (their supplies) could increase tensions in that part of the world," he said.

Pakistan had purchased 111 F-16 aircraft in 1980s and received the supply of 40 planes between 1983 and 1987. Three years later, the supplies were stopped because of Pressler Amendment, a legislation passed by the US Congress imposing sanctions on Pakistan because of its nuclear programme.

Islamabad, which had already made the advance payment for the entire consignment, had since been persisting with the successive US administrations to either supply rest of the planes or return $ 638 million it had paid.