Bill aims to slash U.S.
aid to Pakistan
aid to Pakistan
Narayan Lakshman
September 27, 2011
Washington: A resolution to cut most of the United States' funding to Pakistan has been quietly tabled in the U.S. House of
Representatives, even as the two countries' relationship continued to totter dangerously in a furore over the alleged terror links of
Pakistan's intelligence agency.
The wobble in bilateral ties began last week after scathing remarks by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, who openly spoke of the links between the ISI and the Haqqani network terror outfit in a congressional hearing.
On the very same evening Congressman Ted Poe, Republican of Texas, tabled H.R. 3013, also known as the Pakistan
Accountability Act, a piece of legislation which, if passed by Congress, will freeze all U.S. aid to Pakistan with the exception of
funds that are designated to help secure nuclear weapons.
In a blunt statement to the House following the introduction of the Act, Mr. Poe said, “Since the discovery of Osama bin Laden
in Abbottabad, Pakistan has proven to be disloyal, deceptive and a danger to the U.S.”
Support for militants
He added that the “so-called ally continues to take billions in U.S. aid while at the same time supports the militants who attack us”.
A series of harsh exchanges between U.S. and Pakistan followed. Most recently Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar
said in New York City the Haqqani network was the CIA “blue-eyed boy”.
Mr. Poe said by continuing to provide aid to Pakistan, the U.S. was funding the enemy, endangering Americans and undermining
U.S. efforts in the region all together. In a strong speech on the floor of the House Mr. Poe argued, “We pay them to hate us,
now we pay them to bomb us. Let's not pay them at all.”
If passed by Congress and signed into law by the White House, the Act would apply to any funds allocated for assistance to
Pakistan that were not spent on or after such date, as per the text of the Bill.
SOURCE: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article2490877.ece
September 27, 2011
Washington: A resolution to cut most of the United States' funding to Pakistan has been quietly tabled in the U.S. House of
Representatives, even as the two countries' relationship continued to totter dangerously in a furore over the alleged terror links of
Pakistan's intelligence agency.
The wobble in bilateral ties began last week after scathing remarks by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, who openly spoke of the links between the ISI and the Haqqani network terror outfit in a congressional hearing.
On the very same evening Congressman Ted Poe, Republican of Texas, tabled H.R. 3013, also known as the Pakistan
Accountability Act, a piece of legislation which, if passed by Congress, will freeze all U.S. aid to Pakistan with the exception of
funds that are designated to help secure nuclear weapons.
In a blunt statement to the House following the introduction of the Act, Mr. Poe said, “Since the discovery of Osama bin Laden
in Abbottabad, Pakistan has proven to be disloyal, deceptive and a danger to the U.S.”
Support for militants
He added that the “so-called ally continues to take billions in U.S. aid while at the same time supports the militants who attack us”.
A series of harsh exchanges between U.S. and Pakistan followed. Most recently Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar
said in New York City the Haqqani network was the CIA “blue-eyed boy”.
Mr. Poe said by continuing to provide aid to Pakistan, the U.S. was funding the enemy, endangering Americans and undermining
U.S. efforts in the region all together. In a strong speech on the floor of the House Mr. Poe argued, “We pay them to hate us,
now we pay them to bomb us. Let's not pay them at all.”
If passed by Congress and signed into law by the White House, the Act would apply to any funds allocated for assistance to
Pakistan that were not spent on or after such date, as per the text of the Bill.
SOURCE: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article2490877.ece
Related Links:
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* Barack Obama under pressure to slash Pakistan aid
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* Pakistan will be forced to retaliate, CIA chief told
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* Mullen's comments on ISI's role in Afghanistan not new: PM
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* US, Pakistan ties have hit new low: Daily
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* Pakistan wants stronger ties with Saudi Arabia: Asif Ali Zardari
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* Pakistan can bring Haqqanis to the table, US told
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* Resolution to stop aid moved in US Congress
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* Diplomacy under way to de-escalate crisisl
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* Kabul siege: ‘Attackers linked to Pakistan govt’
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* Pakistan army chief Kayani cancels UK visit
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* US Senate warns of stopping all aid
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* At the UN: US insists Pakistan get tough on Haqqanis
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* US working constructively with Pakistan to end row
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*USINPAC Urges President Obama to Urgently Act Upon the Haqqani Network-ISI Revelations
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* White House calls on Pakistan to break ties with Haqqani Network
