Embassy Spokesman’s Response to “Desert Tech” claim

In response to media queries regarding Associated Press’ story of Desert Tech, the Utah gun maker, turning down a $15M deal With Pakistan, the Embassy spokesman said that Desert Tech’s claim that they were approached and shortlisted for a $15M contract to provide Pakistan with precision rifles, which they turned down is without basis. On the contrary, Desert Tech never even made it to the shortlist, though the company had shown interest in securing the deal initially. Desert Tech’s first and foremost ethical responsibility should be honesty. The Company unfortunately clearly violated it by fabricating a story that at best is a publicity stunt. Pakistan and the US enjoy a productive and mutually beneficial defence partnership, now for decades – a relationship that has been particularly critical more recently in fighting terrorists and in protecting our two peoples. Any insinuation to the contrary is unwarranted and misguided.

January 10, 2014
Washington, DC