Posted on 04/01/2009 1:01:27 AM PDT by MyTwoCopperCoins
WASHINGTON: The Obama administration plans to propose roughly $2.8 billion in aid for the Pakistani military as a US senate panel holds a full committee hearing on a bill which seeks to triple US economic assistance to Pakistan.
The military aid would be in addition to a $7.5 billion aid package which will be reintroduced in the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Wednesday.
A defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told FOX News the military aid will be dedicated exclusively to 'equipping, training, and building infrastructure directly related to counterinsurgency operations.'
Gen. David Petraeus, who is directly responsible for all US military activities in the Afghan-Pakistan region, told FOX News the plan will be called the 'Pakistani Counterinsurgency Capability Fund'.
US commanders would have control over how the money is spent. Quoting unnamed US officials, FOX News reported that none of the money would be spent in a way that would give Pakistan a greater capacity to attack another country, such as India.
The money would be distributed over five years, with the first $400 million of it added to the fiscal year 2009 supplemental request for war fighting. Another $700 million would be in the fiscal 2010 base budget. Then $575 million would be spent each year from fiscal 2011 through 2013.
In his speech on Friday, President Obama described Pakistan's lawless border region as 'the most dangerous place in the world.'
Meanwhile, the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations holds a full committee hearing on Wednesday on a bill which seeks to triple US economic assistance to Islamabad.
Senator John Kerry, who chairs the committee, will preside the hearing on the Enhance Partnership with Pakistan Act, which already enjoys bipartisan support in the US Congress.
Senator Kerry, a Democrat, and Senator Richard Lugar, a ranking Republican, have cosponsored the bill, which offers an annual assistance of $1.5 billion to Pakistan for next five years.
Words fail me...
How about “NO AID”, since we’re running way in the red over here in the US?
The IslamoFascist Kenyan feels that if the Tallyban had a little more walking around money maybe they could buy Mrs. goat something nice and forget about attacking our forces /barf off
Planning on gutting our military, but wanting to send 2.8 BILLION of OUR tax dollars to fund the Pakistani Army.
Okay. Yeah, I’m all for it.;)
It’s time to get off of the crazy train.
This stealth terrorist 0bama is wrecking the USA damm fast while strenghting & emboldening our enemies to attack us!!!
It’s actually $10.3 billion; not 2.8.
Correct, $10.3B military aid. Economic aid is fungible. OK in my book. Pakistan has no Gitmos.
yitbos
LLS
Just a continuation of past US policy.
Musharraf got over 12 Billion between military and economic aid and in fees (for military services by the PakArmy) from Bush.
So, no big deal, really.
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