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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Daily Press Briefing Index

Monday, September 24, 2001

BRIEFER: Richard Boucher, Spokesman – Concerning the removal of sanctions on India and Pakistan

MR. BOUCHER: In addition, there are things like the provision of spare parts for military goods that we will be able to look at now that we weren't before the waiver of the sanctions. And, as I said, we will look at the other pieces of legislation in place. We are talking to the Congress about how to get the ability to move forward with Pakistan and with India.

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QUESTION: Secondly, what about the dual-use technology?

MR. BOUCHER: I will look at that as we go forward.

QUESTION: On the same subject, there was a report this morning that the administration wants to lift a number of other restrictions on foreign aid and arms exports, particularly human rights restrictions. Can you tell us whether that's true?

MR. BOUCHER: The President said this morning we weren't going to do that. That is not where we are headed.

QUESTION: (Inaudible) we are told that Pressler, Symington and Glenn are also lifted. At least that is what the Embassy is saying.

MR. BOUCHER: That is what I just said.

QUESTION: Okay, and I was a little late. The other thing is that when Pressler was interpreted for F-16s, it was said that commercial sales are included as part of assistance, because all these amendments are to the Foreign Assistance Act. So I am slightly confused. What is the difference between 508 economic and military aid? You know, because it is redundant because then Pakistan will not be able to buy anything until Pressler has been lifted.

MR. BOUCHER: My understanding --

QUESTION: -- you call it aid. (Inaudible) you call it aid. So that's

--

MR. BOUCHER: My understanding, which I just explained, was that the lifting of these sanctions would allow us to authorize the commercial sale of spare parts for the military, for example, so that commercial sales would become possible.