Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Philadelphia Inquirer
June 26, 2008 By Anne Flaherty, Associated Press
WASHINGTON - A top Democratic senator yesterday proposed tripling nonmilitary aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year, while restricting reimbursements for anti-terrorist operations unless Islamabad does more to fight insurgents along its Afghan border.
"We should be willing to spend more if we get better returns - and less if we don't," said Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
A recent independent audit concluded the U.S. has little proof that the $5.6 billion given to Pakistan to go after terrorists since 2001 has been used for that purpose. At the same time, Biden said, not enough is being done to build schools, hospital clinics and roads in the border region, where extremists have found refuge.
"We believe we're paying too much and getting too little. The Pakistanis believe exactly the opposite," said Biden (D., Del.). "Both sides feel that the costs of the relationship may soon outweigh the benefits."
Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher said the administration was open to considering Biden's approach. "While we do not agree on every point in the current version of the proposed legislation, we welcome this initiative and feel strongly that a new, bipartisan commitment to partnership with Pakistan is crucial," Boucher told the committee.
He testified on the heels of a Government Accountability Office study that found that the U.S. recently gave Pakistan more than $200 million for air defense radars without bothering to investigate whether the money was needed specifically to go after terrorists.
The United States has given Pakistan $10.8 billion in economic and military aid since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
U.S. officials have responded that better controls over military reimbursement payments are needed. But, they add, the value of the aid program should not be underestimated because many terrorists have been captured or killed with Pakistan's help.
Boucher told the committee that he sees promise in a forthcoming anti-terrorism agreement among Pakistan's political and military leaders.
The agreement, expected to be announced shortly by Pakistan's prime minister, should make clear that Islamabad plans only to negotiate with tribal leaders along the Afghan border and not with the militants, Boucher said.
June 26, 2008 By Anne Flaherty, Associated Press
WASHINGTON - A top Democratic senator yesterday proposed tripling nonmilitary aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year, while restricting reimbursements for anti-terrorist operations unless Islamabad does more to fight insurgents along its Afghan border.
"We should be willing to spend more if we get better returns - and less if we don't," said Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
A recent independent audit concluded the U.S. has little proof that the $5.6 billion given to Pakistan to go after terrorists since 2001 has been used for that purpose. At the same time, Biden said, not enough is being done to build schools, hospital clinics and roads in the border region, where extremists have found refuge.
"We believe we're paying too much and getting too little. The Pakistanis believe exactly the opposite," said Biden (D., Del.). "Both sides feel that the costs of the relationship may soon outweigh the benefits."
Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher said the administration was open to considering Biden's approach. "While we do not agree on every point in the current version of the proposed legislation, we welcome this initiative and feel strongly that a new, bipartisan commitment to partnership with Pakistan is crucial," Boucher told the committee.
He testified on the heels of a Government Accountability Office study that found that the U.S. recently gave Pakistan more than $200 million for air defense radars without bothering to investigate whether the money was needed specifically to go after terrorists.
The United States has given Pakistan $10.8 billion in economic and military aid since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
U.S. officials have responded that better controls over military reimbursement payments are needed. But, they add, the value of the aid program should not be underestimated because many terrorists have been captured or killed with Pakistan's help.
Boucher told the committee that he sees promise in a forthcoming anti-terrorism agreement among Pakistan's political and military leaders.
The agreement, expected to be announced shortly by Pakistan's prime minister, should make clear that Islamabad plans only to negotiate with tribal leaders along the Afghan border and not with the militants, Boucher said.