Pakistan to bill US for war support (MUCHO BARF ALERT)

THE TIMES OF INDIA ^ | FEBRUARY 18, 2002

[Madiuq]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will begin charging the United States about $60 million a month for logistical support it has provided to the war on terrorism, the finance minister said after a trip to Washington.

Shaukat Aziz said late Saturday that Pakistan was "in the process" of billing Washington $300 million for support through the end of January.

After that, Pakistan will issue monthly bills that will average $60 million, Aziz said.

"We will bill them monthly for certain things under the acquisition and cross-services agreement," Aziz said.

Pakistan will charge for fuel, food, water, transportation, medical services, repairs and other services provided to US forces, who have been engaged in neighboring Afghanistan since early October.

Pakistan broke ranks with Afghanistan's hardline Taliban and sided with the United States after the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, blamed on Afghan-based Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

Aziz also said that during his trip to Washington with President Pervez Musharraf, George W. Bush's administration pledged to write off $1 billion of Pakistan's $2.8 billion loan debt to the United States.

The United States has since September 11 promised Pakistan an aid package worth more than $1 billion, $600 million of which has already been delivered.

[Madiuq]

"At first I thought you were Indian, but then, if you were Indian you would be glad that Musharrif has turned away from terrorism and is trying to better educate his country."

Single handedly, one of the lamest and most asinine posts I have ever read on Free Republic. I am still laughing.

Can you picture it? A billion Indians dancing and laughing because Musharaff has decided to educate his people?

They will only dance and laugh when they know that the terrorism has stopped, for good.

[McGavin999]

Now, why are you attacking me? I made a simple observation. It would seem to me that you would rejoice at the changes Mushariff is trying to make. Instead of encouraging him, you are condemning him as though he's still backing terrorists. He has a huge job ahead of him and you should be hoping that he can accomplish it.

As to the US backing Pakistan over India, it won't happen. India is a democracy and our natural ally as a result. We are trying to bring peace to the region by working with Musharrif and making it financially worth his while to make the changes. The result will be a better neighbor for India, and a safer neighborhood.

[McGavin999]

You are one arrogant SOB to do that.

BTW, watch your mouth, that kind of language isn't appreciated around here. This isn't a lockeroom, there are women and children who read these threads. I won't hit the abuse button on you this time because you seem to be getting over emotional about the subject. I suggest you calm down a little before your do your cause a great deal of damage.

[Madiuq]

"It would seem to me that you would rejoice at the changes Mushariff is trying to make. Instead of encouraging him, you are condemning him as though he's still backing terrorists. He has a huge job ahead of him and you should be hoping that he can accomplish it."

To some extent you are correct. But when you are trying to patch things up between two nations, it is probably not a good idea to make statements like "Pakistan will never let Kashmir go" every fifteen minutes when making your speeches to American dignitaries, leaders, and the media.

Indians have heard this before, and usually means that as soon as Pakistan is strong enough, it will again resume its patterns of of terror and proxy wars against india.

You must try and understand this.

But in any event, I sincerely hope that you are correct in your analysis.

[Madiuq]

I see that anacronym all the time here on Free Republic, possibly even from you. But maybe you are looking for an excuse to ban me because you have nothing intelligent to respond with?

Go ahead and report me. I did not swear.

[McGavin999]

I do understand it Madiuq, but you have to understand that it takes time to turn the opinion of an entire country around. There are things that leaders must say in public in order to get anything accomplished.

India is an educated country, it's probably difficult for them to understand that Musharrif is dealing with a public that has been relegated to the madrassa. Remember, it's only been a few months since the people were roaring around on the streets. Give it some time.

I'm not dumb enough to think that the Kashmiri situation can be solved overnight, but if the people of Pakistan have something to lose, they will be a lot more reluctant to put their new found prosperity at risk.

[McGavin999]

Now why do you go off half cocked? You would never hear that kind of language from me (I'm a woman). We can have an intelligent conversation without threats.

This is a board for exchanging ideas. If you're oversensitive you won't enjoy it much. You need to grow a tougher skin. Talk ideas, leave the insults outside.

[Madiuq]

Well said. Here's to hoping that you are correct.

:)

[Madiuq]

"Talk ideas, leave the insults outside."

Maybe you missed my last post?

[McGavin999]

LOL, that's the problem with a board like this, while you're typing a reply someone has said something completely different. There's a lag time, like talking through a satalite dish.

[Madiuq]

"LOL, that's the problem with a board like this, while you're typing a reply someone has said something completely different. There's a lag time, like talking through a satalite dish."

Thanks for your insightful and intelligent postings, McGavin. I actually learned a great deal from you.

I just hope that if Pakistan believes that the pressure from India and the U.S. have been lifted, then it will not return to its old habits.

[McGavin999]

Ah, but as long as there is aid, there will be pressure. The US has not changed friends, it's just trying to add one, and India will benefit from it.

[Madiuq]

"Ah, but as long as there is aid, there will be pressure."

How do we ensure that Pakistan does not use the aid to wage proxy wars and terrorism against India or its civilians?

[McGavin999]

Because the Bush administration is not dumb. Aid will be given in a way that will insure it reaches the people. Musharrif is already talking about new schools, where do you think the money for those schools will come from? Those schools will teach reading, writing, math, philosophy. We will also open the doors of trade. If India is wise, it will open the doors too (as soon as it's comfortable with it's neighbor). I understand that India has reasons to doubt, but they should doubt with their hand extended. The other hand will, of course, hold a club....just in case.

Musharrif has a serious problem with the hardliners in his own government and army. It's going to take a lot of effort to clean it out. He's going to need help.

[a_Turk]

You are an Islamic traitor, and puppet of the U.S., are you not?

Ouch... No, I'm not. That's enough of this thread for me... I know lots of Hindi who are a lot more reasonable than you. Go ahead, barf all you want.

[lavaroise]

Pakistan is lucky it was not nuked with the Talebans

[tomakaze]

RE:Pakistan to bill US for war support

just how many goats do they want?

[Frances_Marion]

The U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia also recognized the Taliban government...Pakistan and Saudi Arabia both funneled funds they got from the U.S. to Talibani mujahideen in the 80's. Regardless of a vociferous contingent of pro-Taliban Pakistanis, you can't put a country in a precarious position, use their land and resources and then not reimburse them for it. It's bad business. We made a deal....break a deal, face the wheel.

[sam]

...If I didnt know any better, I bet you're an Indian. Probably from Kashmer...,

you mean, a right wing Hindu zealot from the "cow belt"!

[VA Advogado]

LOL fly over country.