China Eager to See Stealth Chopper From Osama Raid

And Pakistan seems happy to oblige
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted May 11, 2011 12:10 PM CDT
Pakistan May Give China Access to Downed Stealth Helicopter
File photo of regular Blackhawk chopper getting maintenance. The souped-stealth version reportedly costs 3 times as much, at $60 million.   (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

The stealth chopper that didn't make it back from the Osama bin Laden raid is giving Pakistan a little diplomatic revenge. Pakistani officials made a point to tell ABC News they might let China "take a look" at the super-secret helicopter, which had to be left behind after a rough landing. US forces tried to destroy it before leaving, but charred sections remained.

Pakistan has a cozy relationship with Beijing, and it's likely that Chinese officials will be allowed to look all they want, writes Josh Voorhees at Slate. "But by publicly suggesting that nothing is a done deal yet, the comments provide Pakistan with another chance to save face at home by taking a defiant stance toward Washington." Click for more, or to read President Obama's joke about donating the "$60 million helicopter." Reuters published photos of the chopper wreckage, along with grisly ones of victims. (Hit the Guardian link in that story to see them.)

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