Times of India reported on Friday that Congressman Michael McCaul introduced the legislation, co-sponsored by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, among others.
The legislation would require the secretary of state to certify to the Congress that Pakistan is not funding or advising the Haqqani network.
The legislation says that otherwise the aid to Pakistan will be slashed and redirected toward combating Mexican drug lobby’s violence on the border that the US shares with Mexico.
McCaul said that this year the US Department of State is demanding $2.4 billion for civilian and security aid to Pakistan, “some of which could end up in the hands of the Haqqani network.”
He said, “When I met with President [Asif Ali] Zardari he expressed a commitment to eradicating the Haqqani terrorist network, but I am not convinced that he has enough control over his military and intelligence to follow through.”
A list of conditions had accompanied funds allocated for Pakistan, as the White House, Department of Defence and the State Department had revealed their budgets for the fiscal year 2013.
According to the conditions, the secretary of state must certify that Pakistan is cooperating with the US in counterterrorism efforts against the Quetta Shura, Haqqani Network, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, al Qaeda and other domestic and foreign terrorist organisations.
The White House had allocated $800 million for Pakistan’s Counterinsurgency Capability Fund (PCCF) in its budget, whereas the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated $2.4 billion for Pakistan.
The budget had showed a decrease of $50 million in comparison with last year’s allocations for PCCF.
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@Harry Stone: It would be an even better choice for the rest of the world if the Pentagon transferred all its ground troops, and other types of military minutiae to the American mainland. That way they could indulge, to their hearts content, in all the childish war-games they have developed. The bonus to the Pentagon of course is that America would become a radio active dump as well as the Middle East, and Afghanistan. The only problem I see is, what will America do with all its Navy toys when they get to the end of their useful life. The U.S. navy has many nuclear powered vessels, and they cannot last forever. When it becomes time to decommission them American will have many million tons of metal, and other materials, to get rid of, which are highly radio active. Perhaps it may be safer for the world if they keep on attacking defenceless countries the way they have over the last ten years or so ? I do not think the death toll has got over ten million yet, or has it ? But then then I remember when an American general was asked what the death was in Iraq he replied that " we do not count bodies", so we will never really know.
Oh no not again. US is turning its back on Pakistan. Thanks to assurances during war on terror that they will never turn their back again like they did after Soviet Afghan war. Where is Mr. Musharaf who certified that US will have long term relationship with Pakistan this time.
A much better choice for the US Congress and the American people. Would be an easy sell to support this transfer of aide from PAK to Mexico.
@WoW and Shakky: Last time I checked the US was making various budget cuts including in its healthcare (medicare and medicaid) services. That doesn't seem like a country awash in $$$$. My premise wasn't false, rather yours' is half backed as it presents only one side of the picture. As for my assertion about Mexico, the US house panel has just passed HR 3783 to monitor Iran’s activities in Latin America because "Iran is using Hezbollah to supply the Mexican drug cartels with guns and drugs to incite violence on the US/Mexico border and smuggle drugs into the United States using sophisticated Hezbollah narco-tunneling." I'm not giving the link since I want u to google it, it'll help develop the habit to research before posting half baked assertions.
@Tariq: You're missing the underlying reason for the US legislation. They have a legitimate concern that the Pakistan government will be unable to prevent some of the funds from flowing to terrorist networks. As for the US not having the money, lets not forget that it is still the largest financier of the UN, has the largest defense budget in the world, and provides a massive amount of foreign aid to developing countries all over the world. In other words, your assertion that the legislation is related to a lack of available funds is based on a false premise.
@Tariq: So why say that USA does not have money. If you had not written his line, I have no problems with the rest.
@WoW: If Pakistan had the $$$ we would not be seeking handouts from such opportunistic and fickle friends like the USA. Pakistan's lack of $$$ is the reason we are reading headlines such as this article's. On the other hand, Pakistanis (read: our leaders) ARE loaded with $$$ stored safely in their foreign accounts, and they want more where that came from.
The U.S. never gives up on creating ridiculous theories about Muslim countries does it ? It is possible a future theory could be that jungle tribes in the Amazon are developing weapons of mass destruction, but then they are not Muslim are they ? However, just give some crazed Congressman time, and it could happen. If it does I am reasonable certain that Pakistan will get the blame ?
Use BRAINS not emotions! Have we learned nothing from 1971 disaster? Wake up smell the COFFEE.
@Tariq: I agree with you that USA does to not have the money but Pakistan is loaded with $$$$. It will be the height of stupidity if it takes.
Good way to circulate the money that USA doesn't even have in the first place. Meant for Pakistan, redirected to Mexico, then blame Mexico for not doing enough against drug cartels and redirect it to some other poor/developing country. Good approach - show the carrot and use the stick.
The Republican led Congress is going to continue to Obama in the position of defending an unpopular Pakistan - this type of legislation is going to grate on Obama as much as Pakistan.
Thank You US. Plz give this aid to Mexico. we dont need this