Obama aide confirms US holding back aid to Pakistan
"They've taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid which we're giving to the military, and we're trying to work through that," William Daley told ABC's "This Week With Christiane Amanpour."
As a result, "We'll hold back some of the money that the American taxpayers have committed to give," he said, adding this amounted to about $800 million, or more than a third of the $2 billion given to Pakistan for security assistance.
Earlier on Saturday, the New York Times had reported on Saturday that the Obama administration would hold back about $800 million in aid to the Pakistani military because Washington was unhappy with Pakistan's expulsion of US military trainers and its campaign against militants.
Relations between the two governments have been strained with the United States wanting Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts. The relationship also has been tense due to the surprise US raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on May 2, US drone attacks that have killed civilians and a raft of other issues.
The Times, citing three US senior officials, said the United States was suspending or canceling $800 million in aid and equipment – more than a third of the $2 billion it gives Pakistan for security assistance.
About $300 million in US funding is to reimburse Pakistan for deploying more than 100,000 troops along the Afghan border to combat Taliban and other militant forces. Other funding covers training and military hardware, Times sources said.
US officials told the newspaper the aid and equipment could be resumed if relations improve and Pakistan takes more action against militants.
Pakistan has shut down a US program that had been training paramilitary forces, sending home more than 100 US trainers in recent weeks, and has threatened to close the base the CIA has been using for drone plane attacks on militant targets.
The Times said in private briefings with congressional staffers last month that Pentagon officials said they would be taking a stronger stance toward Pakistan.
"They wanted to tell us, 'Guys, we're delivering the message that this is not business as usual and we've got this under control,'" one senior Senate aide told the newspaper.
In May, a US Navy SEAL team raided a compound where Bin Laden was living in a Abbottabad, near Pakistan's military academy, raising questions about whether Pakistani officials had helped hide him. Pakistan complained it had not been told in advance about the raid.
Last week Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, accused Pakistan of kidnapping and killing a journalist.
The US-Pakistan relationship also was damaged last year after a CIA contractor in Lahore killed two Pakistanis he said were trying to rob him.
COMMENTS (80)
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One Mr. Incrdible is worried at US declaring Pakistan as a terrorist state. He better take lesson in history. US is the biggest perpetrator of state terrorism in the world. Nations need to show spine to live honorably. Believe me US cannot harm 180 million people if they know how to stand up for their rights.
@Hassan:
I don't think things will go as bleak as you make it out to be, as there are enough sane elements in Pakistan. If only they can subdue Taliban like grip Pak Army has on the policies and economy, then Pakistan can bounce back so fast the whole world will be surprised.
The question really is - will the silent majority finally wake up against Army & Militant groups?
lol now lets start begging from China :D We begged enough from USA :P
@hassan: I sincerely pray that what you have predicted doesnt happen because I read the similar prediction made by a Western writer recently that situation is likely to worsen in Pakistan soon and India should gear up to make arrangements for lakhs of refugees crossing the IB particularly from Punjab.
@hassan:
No No. India has already 1.2 billion.
Don't hold the aid. STOP IT ! Ask Zardari to return what he has begged for already which he has used for building his house in Dubai.
If half of you spend time righting your comments about this and that..I am wondering why each on of us Pakistanis do not have the guts to protest against the forces that are pushing Pakistan to the bring of collapse. Are we Pakistanis just a massive crowd of incompetent cowards? We complain...moan....cry...blame...beg....accuse....but there is no sense of organization we allow and accept conditions but seen to lack in the basic spirit of wanting a better life. Change is not easy....change is sacrifice.....why is there no martial law in Karachi or the military being directed to Karachi and the different factions told that ZERO violence is the only mode that will be accepted? We are a country of loss souls and pathetic voices...we want help from others but what do we have to offer?
@Majid: Sanctions are going to happen and macho guys commenting here can't do anything to stop it. Like you say so forcefully, Iraq was crippled by sanctions. @Go Home Yankee: People here seem to think just because so many mobile connections, coffee houses, and other hang outs get business, every thing is hunky dory and the country will continue to progress.
Realize first that the economy we see now has been subsidized and bolstered by US and the moment they stop aid and impose sanctions, all these visible things of prosperity will vanish. The country will become another Iraq or Somalia or Sudan. The day is not far off.
Meanwhile, keep clinging to your dream that everything gonna be all right.
good chance for Pakistanis to wake up and stand on their own feet. No one else can 'do it for you'. Its only the awam of the country which is responsible for the progress.
what a blessing n disguise, now can we tax our rich and follow our OWN national interest without have dictation from amreeka!
Yes Pak deserves this... Go and beg them for ur food.. So called Politicians. And we Pakistanis are responsible for this, coz we keep silence and shut our mounts
its sad but truth of the matter is our government doesnt need the US aid it wants it.... point in case we cant fight terrorism with the corrent corrupt government.. this governments gotta go..
hmmmmm.... Maybe its because THEY DON'T HAVE IT?
@Akthar Time for China to prove its friendship & provide Aid. All the words ‘taller & deeper’ will be put rest! We had supported china during Xinjiang massacre despite being a muslim country. - how funny and immature
I think this is a good development in the long run. Now Pakistan can focus on doing what is best for itself without being beholden to anyone. After all after Pakistan helped defeat the Soviets, Pakistan alone was left to clean up the mess. Afghanistan is always going to be a basketcase of a failed state. The West has seen that. We need to take steps now to prevent more criminals entering from Afghanistan into Pakistan and secure our own border. Now we can focus on our own priorities. Pakistan Zindabad!
As an Indian i am concerned about the talk of stopping, taking aid from US and starting, taking aid from China. If this is the attitude then China will become another "US" one day, i would rather suggest you take this as an opportunity and stand on your feet, things are not gonna be easy.
@Majid
tell that senator that Pakistan has killed and captured more talibans and Alqaeda affiliates then US in the last 10 years or so.
Best thing happening to Pakistan.Enough of American boot licking. Now do ,what is in the best interest of Pakistan not US.
Pakistan has to go to war.... against corruption,nepotism,feudal and land mafia and the TAX DEFAULTERS.
These sins make their country weak and vulnerable. Other forces then exploit these weaknesses..
@Cautious: the problem here in Pakistan is that nobody believes that they stink. Most of us think the world stinks. Catch 22.
I expect worser things to happen. I read an interview by a American senator where he was suggesting that Pakistan should be sanctioned for supporting the Taliban since there is a UN ban on supporting Taliban. This will really hurt us and bring us down in a serious way. All the macho guys in this forum with their big but empty talk should think about what would happen to us if they put sanctions on us. Iraq was destroyed not by the war but by sanctions which preceded the war. Use your mind for once.
@Sajjad Ashraf: What cards are you talking about? Please show me some of the cards we hold
It will be missed only if it helps the common Pakistani, such as providing the most important basic neccessity of electricity and clean water and support to the forgotten displaced victims of war and flood.
Countdown has started..... Now Pak will take some steps which make US more angry.
Now they will think of declaring Pak as a terrorist state. More Amreeka Murdabad protests and US flag burning will take place.
US will now force IMF from releasing any funds to Pak. More protests in Pak will follow but these will be food and electricity related.
US now help Balochistan to fight Pakistan and Balochistan will be emboldened to ask for secession. More protests in Pak will happen against US.
US and allied countries will impose sanctions and embargos on Pakistan. More protests and bomb blasts will take place.
Pak will become another Sudan or Somalia...and no one in the world will care.
Meanwhile, the line at Wagah border will grow longer...people shouting that...they should be let inside India !!
America proves itself to be unreliable ONCE AGAIN. Screw the $800 million but they do owe us $300 million in reimbursements - that is Pakistan's money.
America has already declared Pakistan a terrorist state, so screw America and shut down NATO supplies and close the US Embassy in Islamabad.
Pakistan does not need America - America needs Pakistan.
@Nadeem Ahmed:
This might make you feel good but do you really see this to be in the best interest of PAK
providing aid is a CIA, USA, MOSSAD, RAW conspiracy to defame pakistan
@Akthar: So your notion of a 'friend' is someone who gives aid. I hope you know that the relationship between someone who gives aid and gets aid is never one of equals.
@Shabbir Baloch: US used to re-imburse Pakistan for soldiers on the Western border. The expectation was that they would prevent the Afghan Taliban from attacking NATO forces. That does not seem to be happening. Pak forces are only going after Tehreek-E-Taliban Pakistan. The fact is that whether US pays or not, Pak army would go after TTP anyway because TTP is attacking Pakistanis.
The other issue was that by allowing CIA to do independent research in Pakistan, US used to be able to identify Afghan Taliban targets to send drones to. The footprint of CIA to has reduced.
So your statement that if the coaliation support aid reduces, so should the actual coaliation support should be exactly reversed. The coaliation suport has reduced (and in some cases never really materialized e.g. Pak army going after Afghan Taliban), hence the the coaliation support funds are also reducing.
@ Goodman - stop being such an Imran Khan. The "fellow Muslims" you talk of are terrorists. Do you support them just as Imran Khan does?
This money will be well spent if committed for civillian cause such as power/electric supply. That will be a great cause and would receive a lot of public support and hand shake. The time is right. Public support goes a long way.
I am sure Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan must be celebrating because that is what they wanted. They should say THANK YOU to Obama
This aid cut is more due to the economic hole USA is in. They are at the verge of defaulting they've got bigger problems at home Feel sorry for the american public who were duped by their politicians that by killing Osama will fix everything... I guess politicians are same everywhere.
@Goodman _ I think you have it BACKWARDS - WITH or WITHOUT American aid every Pakistani is implicated in the massacre of fellow Muslims with their no action to eradicate the uncivilized...cannibalistic...killing of each other?
@Akthar: I find your idea strange: demanding aid in return for supporting the massacre of fellow Muslims.
Why suspend? Just cancel it, alltogether, This aid does not help common Pakistani, and goes into the coffers of few elites. It would be good for both sides. Now, the press and pundits in US can stop talking about alll the billions given to Pakistan, so far, which has not benifitted any one, except chosen few.
Time for Pakistanis to pay their taxes! Not the time to ask China or Saudi Arabia to foot the bill.
Funny that all the folks here are rejecting the aid. It is really not for you (typing on the internet with your tummy full of food) to say. Let the poor of your country come out and say that they do not want aid (state aid which is possible because of external aid).
GOOD RIDDANCE!!!! SHOW SOME SPINE & STOP THEIR SUPPLIES WITHOUT ANY DELAY
@Sajjad Ashraf: What cards, Pakistan has no electric power, no gas, CNG stations are closed and it cannot make the 1.2 billion dollar payment on loans
thanks USA. we dont need it.
@SW: lol.War on terror has cost pakistan $60 billion dollars.American civilian aid last year was 178 million. Military aid to pakistan is diverted to civilian govt.the Military does not profit from Military aid it just reimburses past costs. The United States wants to use Kerry Luger money to turn pakistan into a colony.Pakistan closes hospitals and schools to pay for military operations, america opens hospitals and schools then flied the american flag on the building and expands its intelligence network via NGOS. If you had any decency you would prosecute Raymound Davis and give pakistan aid strings free, for the 3 military bases and nato transit provided.we need patriotic leaders, not an american embassy spending money keeping PMLN and PPP in power
Did you really think there would be no consequences for hiding OBL - providing sanctuary to terrorist - for submitting phoney bills for reimbursement etc. It's not the USA that's the problem here - the entire World has a negative opinion of Pakistan. When the World tells you that you stink -- take a bath.
Thanks US.
It will help Pakistan move in the right direction. Useless and obsolete military equipment was coming with too much baggage any way. Now, we won't have to tolerate condescending and arrogant treatment from US.
Thank you again US.
its not aid, its coalition fund for using Pak resources, no fund mean no support from Pakistan.
USA stops aid, we stop NATO supplies. In response USA stops all trade and we kick all Americans from our country and break diplomatic connections. Now more angry, USA blocks our trade routes and our imports and exports are halted. Pakistan is declared bankrupt, dollar rises to unimaginable heights, people go out in streets burning everything, all our Ghairat and Beghairat Brigade leaves country. We start begging USA again to fogive us and promise to be good boys. Ghairat and Beghairat brigade returns and starts all over again, everything becomes normal. Why to go through above hassel, Be good boys and accept their demands now.
The majority or so it seems in PAK see the US as its enemy. Then the actions of the US seem to be logical. What most refuse to see is this is not true. The true enemy is within and yes some of those are members of the government, military and the ISA.
PAK is becoming a more failed state everyday...
Time for China to prove its friendship & provide Aid. All the words 'taller & deeper' will be put rest! We had supported china during Xinjiang massacre despite being a muslim country.
After OBL fiasco and criticism from Republicans at home, Obama has decided to tighten the noose on financial aid and pressurise Pakistan to take action in NWA and against LeT, both considered as potential threats to it. It is unlikely that that Pak military will oblige in either case, which will further deteriorate relations between the two countries. As such Obama wants to disengage from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as possible since it has lost trillions of dollars without making much gains and with an eye on next Presidential elections. Pakistan is going to be the biggest loser in the whole process.
@Salman, Wrote: " Pakistan has been a recipient of US “aid” since the SEATO & CENTO days and what does it has to show for it? Is the population educated; is the infrastructure (roads, potable water, electricity) any better than in any typical South Asian region? Is the public’s health or calorie intake anything to be proud of???? How about the health facilities? How much better are they from the time when the British left? So what are these billions of dollars needed for and spent on each year in Pakistan???"
But khakis have their DHA with nice green lawn, golf clubs, BMWs since the SEATO & CENTO days!! I think OBL raid has been good for the awam, it has woken up people to realize who the savior and the looter of this country with a great potential is, the khakis! Let the US cut all the $$ aid, it does not matter to the people, only khakis will suffer.
I am happy.
It means Pakistan must be doing something right. We are not for sale! Keep your money Uncle Sam. It never reaches people of Pakistan anyway!
people lets be honest, for a moment see yourselves as americans, who pay their taxes and see their country support other nations (whatever the intent be), what they expect in return is honesty... even if the funds were for military, why was our military and intelligence not good enough to avoid shame and insult.. in the end its the people of Pakistan that suffer, these puppet politicians and generals will come and go, its the time to start believing in our own resources, taking the first step is always difficult... but we can start with ourselves.. atleast try to be honest with oursleves in whatever job we are, and pass the spirit to our firends and family... Pakistan Zindabad !
The strange thing is Indians and Pakistanis, both, are happy about this. History shows Indians have always been right.
No watch the Generals go begging back to the USA!!
goooooooood dont resume it cancel it we dont want your help damn usa...... we can survive on our own.
The amount of Info US had about the misdeeds of Pakistani generals, will keep them tagged on to american wishes in the region. ISI`s drug trade is well known in all intelligence circles, for example.
Cutting off aid to Pakistan because Bin Laden was in the country would be like cutting off aid to Mexico because illegal immigrants are all across the Southwestern US.
Instead of giving blank checksand bags of money, what not invest it directly into the country's infrastructure? Build the hospitals, schools, roads etc with the aid money instead of giving it to the leaders.
Also in Pakistan's defense ...beggars cannot be choosers. Pakistan has appeared in the news consistently with violence & terror becoming a daily operation since the United States captured al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, and a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows Americans have an unfavorable opinion of the Middle Pakistan. but not Pakistanis in general .
One in four surveyed consider its politicans...ISI & military an enemy of the U.S., and seven in ten think aid from the U.S. to Pakistan should stop or decrease. So it seems only fit...don't you agree?
I think American should hold back all the aid.. do some trade and foret about all the loan they gave us. They are just investing in sectors of thier own interserst like media, military, Secluar NGOs and pickin cherries of their own interst like talented youth to use them against Pakistani interst thats all.
Obama does not have 800 million $...
usdebtclock.org
@Ishrat Salim: The answer to your question is mounting concerns and proof of a double game. As time goes on, without some form of significant cooperation, it will only get worse.
@Incredible: Truth be told you're probably not far off in your speculation. That is one political trick many governments have not outgrown and probably never will. There is a more than good chance that the media is receiving "leaks."
Freedom of the press drama is easier to deal with.
I am not saying that is what is happening for certain but, it is one extremely valid scenario and I am from the US. I usually end up defending uninformed accusations on here in regard to the US so I never get the chance to not look biased. But, I will tell people they are right, regardless of how negative it is, if there's some chance of it being true. You are the first I've been able to actually respond to in that way.
We hv taken more loans in this 3 years than in 63 years....for what ??...each one of us are Rs 64000 in debt.....for what...?? wse hv lived unde 2 sanctions...without any aids & loans...did we not survive...?? infact, we were much more peaceful & contended that what we are TODAY....because our lust & greed hv exceeded our wants..?? we must try to live within our means & the day we realise this we will regain our lost prestige & dignity.
What is not understandable is...?? why this sudden change of posture & pressure the Americans hv started to put on us in this last 2.5 years compared to the period of Musharraf...??..anybody can comment pls...
Americans found tons of information on OBL in Pakistan. Why are they no releasing this info. Or are they doing it thru the media.
@Salman: I won't get all annoying and pick apart things said but, there is one thing your view is missing. I don't know if you're just not told about it and there is probably drama the world press prefers to spotlight over it... For the most part, while the money doesn't get rejected, assistance in the infrastructure building is rejected. Any help that involves any US feet, not just boots as in restricting it to the military, are treated as forbidden by your leaders. They seem to despise the idea of any US influence on citizens in any form. The more I read the more I'm sure that many people in Pakistan would be rather surprised with the types of assistance your leaders reject. A very common US reaction to the words of the Pakistani public is: "What? We've tried to. They said they didn't want it and now we're being insulted for not giving it. What a headache."
The discovery of OBL in Abbottabad has changed the entire world's view on our country. First, only Afghanistan and India viewed us in a negative light but now it is everyone. Our military and ISI have let us down. They have deceived the world but most importantly, they have deceived their own citizens.
Please people of Pakistan, let's fix this. Let's get rid of these scumbags who have tarnished our good name.
Not enough, I say. US should withhold all $2Billion of their USeless aid which only helps in destroying Pakistan and have turned it into a pauper state. Pakistan has been a recipient of US "aid" since the SEATO & CENTO days and what does it has to show for it? Is the population educated; is the infrastructure (roads, potable water, electricity) any better than in any typical South Asian region? Is the public's health or calorie intake anything to be proud of???? How about the health facilities? How much better are they from the time when the British left? So what are these billions of dollars needed for and spent on each year in Pakistan???
Thanks God!
This is a fresh breez, US "AIDS" to Pakistani mallitary is only corrupting the army. US aid is a desease and one should always keep themsleves away from this curse.
Thank God our toxic relationship with America is now coming to an end. However, we need to be careful not to say or do anything to give our enemy America any ammunition to use against, Let's wind the relationship down slowly. We have more to lose than America in any catastrophic breakdown in relations.
@ ahmed
Do that and the USA will officially declare Pakistan as a 'terrorist country'. Want to live with that?
Dear President Obama, In the words of Dag Hammarsjkold '' We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny,but what we put into it is ours. He who wills adventure will experience it - according to the measure of his courage. He who wills sacrifice will be sacrificed according to the measure of his purity of heart.'' These words can be interpreted in the manner a person can comprehend according to one's situation. Yes! We had the courage to achieve that position for which America's Zionist Administration and Congress tried their best to defeat us. Even though we lost a leader at the hands of your Protegy, And today we find ourselves running in circles on the altar to be sacrificed according to the whims of your ''Mentor''? Either you have failed your founding fathers or Time is proving that they failed to visualize the curse of ''Zionist Doctrine'' that would engulf the psyche of the American nation. Sire! our mutual safety lies in the fact that you venture not beyond your shores!
The military had asked for it so their perks will suffer but just marginally.
Send back more Trainers and give them more reasons to be unhappy as our happiness is directly proportional to their unhappiness it seems in most of the cases
I am very happy that Obama Administration is holding back 800 million $ aid to Pakistan. Please keep it. You have a history of buying off your so called "FRIENDS" DO THIS, DO THAT, DO MORE we had enough. Thank you America.
If its tit for tat pakistan should stop nato supplies.. they are destroying our roads anyways
Believe in your nation, Be honest and upright. Sacrifice your comforts and this nation is capabloe of responding to this challenge.
Your policies of serving the US interests has failed - try to stand up honorably. YOu have most cards in your hand as a nation.
"Last week Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, accused Pakistan of kidnapping and killing a journalist."
ISPR instead of talking against NY Times should come out and refute or accept the charges of Admiral. America is not going to reward the lies and duplicity by the army. They are not used to come clean but now they are between rock and hard place.
If the Pakistani army cannot come clean and do the right thing, then they should simply reject the charges and US aid. There are no other options; the delay is only going to prolong their miseries.