Taken to task: Kerry trashes plea for Pakistan aid cut

WASHINGTON: US Senator John Kerry on Thursday reprimanded Tea Party Senator Rand Paul over his request to end all assistance to Pakistan, Egypt and Libya. In his remarks, Senator Paul asked the US Senate to pass his amendment while debating the Veterans Jobs Corps bill. Senator Paul said that while some in Pakistan had been supportive, he said that “many in Pakistan with a wink and a nod take our money” and laugh at the US. He said that the US should stop all assistance to Pakistan and return the money to the US Treasury. He added that while the US should continue to engage with Pakistan, the US did not need to bribe Pakistan. Senator Paul also said that the US should not give any assistance to Egypt and Libya following the attacks on US embassies in both countries. Senator Rand Paul has previously asked for all assistance to be cut off to Pakistan until Dr. Shakil Afridi is released. In response, Senator John Kerry, who is also the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, asked Senator Paul if he had ever been to Egypt or Pakistan.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2012.