Posted on 04/15/2009 10:48:36 AM PDT by MyTwoCopperCoins
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, April 14 (UPI) -- The $7.5 billion in aid proposed by U.S. President Barack Obama should be free of conditions, Pakistani officials told visiting Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Pakistani leaders Monday in Islamabad to discuss Pakistan's efforts to combat terrorism, The Hill reported Tuesday.
In return for the multiyear aid, Pakistan is being asked to close terrorist camps in tribal regions along its border with Afghanistan and help thwart cross-border attacks by insurgents.
"The U.S. should not attach conditionalities to the assistance package being presented to the U.S. Congress, as aid with strings attached would fail to generate the desired goodwill and results in Pakistan," Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said in a statement. He added that a "trust deficit" between the United States and Pakistan.
"The prime minister also pointed out that the negative messaging emanating from the U.S. and the West was generating ill will," the statement said.
Kerry also met with President Asif Ali Zardari, who said the aid was necessary, the Washington publication said.
"Generous support from the international community will help (strengthen) democracy in the country," Zardari said.
The meetings took place on the same day Zardari signed a controversial rule allowing the Taliban to impose Shariah law in the Swat valley in exchange for militants ending violent campaigns. Shariah is Islamic religious law under which penalties include flogging, chopping off hands and stoning.
US proposes $2.8bn military, $7.5bn economic Pakistan aid
“The $7.5 billion in aid proposed by U.S. President Barack Obama should be free of conditions”
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Fine by me.
Let’s make the aid free of actual cash as well.
Well, then that would make it a gift, wouldn't it. If you don't want the strings...don't take the money. Just ask GM.
Not to worry. Any preconditions will be on the US..the real evil country.
We want to make sure that Paki can continue to build up their nuc weapons and intelligence service support of ww terroism.
Good I hope they don’t get a cent then.
"Conditions" such as... restrictions on using said weapons to attack Americans?
These thugs really have American leftists wired.
Glad they straightened US out. (sarcasm).
Support from "the international community"? Can't even say The United States. If you stop giving us billions to do as we please, we will stop loving you so much and we'll give our love to the poverty stricken Tahl-e-bon... Duh
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