Reconciliatory overtures: US insists civilian aid to Pakistan not being cut
US State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland, during a press briefing in Washington said: “We have not cut $700 million in aid to Pakistan.” She added that the defense authorisation bill is currently moving in the Congress “which would require the Department of Defense to continue providing a strategy on how we will use certain military assistance and measure its progress, in particular on progress that we are making with Pakistan on the IED issue.”
US lawmakers agreed to freeze $700 million in aid to Pakistan in a punitive measure that aims to stop the spread of improvised-explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan, raw material for which, US lawmakers say, is smuggled from Pakistan.
“So if – obviously, if this legislation becomes law, we’ll work with the government of Pakistan on how we can fulfill the requirements,” added Nuland.
She refused to comment on the envoys conference held in Pakistan to redraw key pacts with the US, but said: “It’s very important for the United States and Pakistan to continue to work together.”
Meanwhile, the military’s spokesperson issued a clarification on Wednesday, saying that the Pakistani army chief did not discuss resumption of Nato supply routes with his Isaf counterpart.
A statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations, military’s media wing, said that “during a telephonic conversation between General John Allen and General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on 12 December 2011, the issue of reopening up of NATO supply route never came under discussion, as has been highlighted in the statements of Commander Isaf.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2011.
COMMENTS (19)
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@ Meekal @Vikram I said pay tax not peanuts I.e. US$ 1500/ container.. ad a zero to the end of that number and we have a deal.
FYI did you know the eastern states are charging US$ 5000/ container that too for medicines, food and supplies etc, NO weapons or war machinery is allowed.
Waging ( Unjustified) wars is an expensive business. Isn't it?
@Mirza:
And what are the people of Pakistan doing for the American taxpayer?
@simplemiss: civilian aid has never once in history been frozen. All detrimental aid decreases have always, without exception, been isolated to the government and army. It's quite likely the people saying it doesn't help the people are very wrong. In all scenarios, if the aid wasn't there, it would be taken at the expense of the people. With the current bad conditions it's also highly likely that it's the only thing keeping your heads above water. Try imagining people who already are not all that well off having to make up for the billions of aid loss. They can't. There's no response appropriate other than sacrificing the little that is left which people already consider "not enough." Furthermore, the Pakistani government never labels projects as anything the US has a hand in out of paranoia of the things being targeted. That part of the scenario is stated fact by even your own government.
@Optimist:
I am surprised there was no tax of some kind. But maybe they charged the US for the costs and were reimbursed through the CSF. You can't tax twice.
@Bhatti: It is not even funny that people are pleading the US to stop the civilian aid. If the ghairat brigade is true to its name, they should stop accepting it. I have yet to see a statement by a single official saying to the US "thanks but no thanks, we have broken the begging bowl". Let us be true to our own words and not blame the donor. I hope you do not take it personally. The duplicity is we continue to accept and demand more, but at the same time we play the record "we do not need your money". Regards, Mirza
The only way civilian aid benefits the people is if you bi pass the Pakistani govt - that just creates more friction with the govt. The same govt/milt that sponsors the anti American rhetoric and removes the USA labels from charity packages replacing with their own. It's time for the American govt to wake up. The Pakistani people have been subject to non stop anti American propaganda for a decade and they are going to hate you whether you provide the aid or not. Save your money or find another country that will appreciate your efforts.
What was frozen yesterday has thawed today but may again get frozen tomorrow. Get as much as possible till it lasts.
Pakistanis do not care about your aid as it can never make their way to them...... :) ....consumed by elites of our dear country.....
not aid, its coalition fund, US-Nato using Pak land and air space. nothing is free in this world
Oh please America, I plead: Completely cut off our civilian & military aid, use your money on your tax payers. Let us Pakistanis stand on our feet and correct ourselves. It will be a blessing in disguise if you please cut our aid.
Lives of US soldiers are not more precious than the lives people and soldiers of Pakistan. Pakistani fertilizer is available with every farmer in Afghanistan. How can the Pakistan give any guarantee that will not be used for IEDs. US demands are always disgraceful and unrealistic. US can keep this aid to itself and be happy.
Gud. And dunt provide shelter to ttp
To be very honest, $700m doesn't sound a lot compared to what mud and sewage Pakistan is being dragged through by USA in lieu. It might mean something to the direct or indirect beneficiaries of this aid but generally speaking, I am fairly certain this can be offset by improving our revenue collection and brining tax reforms.
Hope this civilian aid is not diverted for making more nukes by the military.
Pay Tax on each and every NATO container that passes through paksitan not the AID.
Is this Aid more than the cost of Lives of Pakistani innocent civilians/army personals and damage of roads due to NATO supply?
Pakistani civilians are not portecting the terrorists and deserve all the aid in education, healthcare, power generation, agriculture and other civic needs. It is great that all US aid is going to be spent for public benefits and with strict oversight. US taxpayers deserve the accountability where their money is spent. Despite all the chest thumping and drum beatings by the rightwing, US govt is doing the right thing for people of Paksitan.