Much waste in US reimbursements to Pakistan

[fatman17]

Much waste in US reimbursements to Pakistan

* CRS report says $6.7bn of $9bn funds for ‘key co-operating nations’ paid to Pakistan

By Khalid Hasan

WASHINGTON: A large proportion of the $6.7 billion paid to Pakistan since 2001 by the United States as Coalition Support Funds (CSF) funds may have been lost to waste and mismanagement, given a dearth of adequate controls and oversight, according to a new report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

The report says that Congress has appropriated billions of dollars to reimburse Pakistan and other nations for their operational and logistical support of US-led counter-terrorism operations. These funds account for the bulk of US financial transfers to Pakistan since 2001.

Key allies: More than $9 billion has been appropriated or authorised for financial years 2002-09 in CSF for ‘key co-operating nations’. Pentagon documents show that disbursements to Islamabad – at some $6.7 billion or an average of $79 million per month since 2001 – account for roughly 80 percent of these funds. The amount is equal to about one-quarter of Pakistan’s total military expenditures.

Sharp decline: Pakistan will see a sharp decline in CSF payments were the supplies to NATO and US forces deployed in Afghanistan that are now routed through Pakistan, and which have come under increasing disruptions through militant attacks, were to be terminated. At this point, it is not possible to name even a rough figure.

According to Secretary of Defence Robert Gates, CSF payments have been used to support scores of Pakistani army operations and help to keep some 100,000 Pakistani troops in the field in northwest Pakistan by paying for food, clothing, and housing. They also compensate Islamabad for ongoing coalition usage of Pakistani airfields and seaports. Concerns have grown in Congress and among independent analysts that standard accounting procedures were not employed in overseeing these large disbursements from the US Treasury. The State Department claims that Pakistan’s requests for CSF reimbursements are carefully vetted by several executive branch agencies, must be approved by the secretary of defence, and ultimately can be withheld through specific congressional action. Senior Pentagon officials reportedly have taken steps to overhaul the process through which reimbursements and other military aid is provided to Pakistan.

The CRS report notes that the National Defence Authorisation Act for 2008 for the first time required the secretary of defence to submit to Congress itemised descriptions of coalition support reimbursements to Pakistan. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was told to address oversight of coalition support funds going to Pakistan. A report issued in June 2008 found that, until about one year before, only a small fraction of Pakistani requests were disallowed or deferred. In March 2007, the value of rejected requests spiked considerably, although it still represented one-quarter or less of the total. The apparent increased scrutiny corresponds with the arrival in Islamabad of a new US defence representative, an army officer who reportedly has played a greater role in the oversight process.

http://www.thedailytimes.com.pk

 

[fatman17]

Economy and Politics

Pentagon wants $2.6 bn for Pakistan

The request reflects US concern that Pakistan needs more help in shifting its focus from a potential conflict with India to its fight with the Taliban and Al Qaeda extremists in its northwest provinces

Tony Capaccio / Bloomberg

Washington DC: The US Pentagon wants to give the Pakistani military as much as $2.64 billion (Rs12,487 crore) to buy better weapons and provide more training for its battle against insurgents.

Since 2001, the country has received about $6.7 billion in reimbursements
About $400 million is included in an emergency wartime measure for the second half of this fiscal year that is now being reviewed by the White House, according to a 6 November memo from acting comptroller Douglas Brook.

The remainder—$2.2 billion —will be sought over the next five years, starting with $573 million in the fiscal 2010 budget, Brook wrote. The money will be controlled by US central command so that it can be disbursed quickly, he stated.

The request reflects US concern that Pakistan needs more help in shifting its focus from a potential conflict with India to its fight with the Taliban and Al Qaeda extremists in its northwest provinces. Those militants pose a threat to coalition forces in Afghanistan and increasingly to Pakistan itself.

Suicide bombings perpetrated in Pakistan by suspected Islamic extremists grew to 57 in 2007 from two in 2002, according to the US National Counterterrorism Center’s most recent annual report. More than 2,000 people were killed in terrorist related incidents in 2007, up 137% from 2006.

US intelligence agencies in July 2007 said Osama bin Laden’s network is resurgent in the northwest provinces and also poses a direct threat to the US homeland.

The proposed Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund is separate from current aid programmes, including one that reimburses Pakistan for its military operations in the mountainous northwest region and a five-year $3 billion pool of combined economic and military assistance.

Pakistan since 2001 has received about $6.7 billion in reimbursements. This funding will continue and will be sought through emergency legislation, Brook said.

The new fund is necessary to ensure Pakistan has the tools and resources to perform more effectively in its counterinsurgency role, Brook wrote.

Such funding would allow for a significantly greater Pentagon role in training and equipping Pakistani forces than we have seen in recent years, congressional research service Pakistan analyst Alan Kronstadt said in an emailed statement.

Pentagon spokesman Army lieutenant colonel Mark Wright said the fund is still considered a topic under general discussion, and it would be premature to put anything out at this time.

There is not a final proposal to put forward yet, and even if there were, it would still be inappropriate to discuss it before it had been presented to Congress, he said in an email.

Tony Capaccio / Bloomberg

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Such funding would allow for a significantly greater Pentagon role in training and equipping Pakistani forces than we have seen in recent years, congressional research service Pakistan analyst Alan Kronstadt said in an emailed statement.

Does that mean the PA is becoming more open to the idea of having a greater number of US Trainers involved in Pakistan?

Or is this going to be primarily an infusion into equipment and infrastructure?

 

[Kharian_Beast]

I think they are just throwing money at the problem like usual chaps, 600 million a year is not enough to defeat Al Qaeda (tens of billions are not working in Afghanistan).

 

[fatman17]

Does that mean the PA is becoming more open to the idea of having a greater number of US Trainers involved in Pakistan?

Or is this going to be primarily an infusion into equipment and infrastructure?

both i believe - it is the need of the times!

Gen. Kiyani understands (along with DG-ISI) that these militants need to be defeated. further IMHO, cantonments will need to be built in the FATA so that the PA can respond quickly to any type of uprising in these remote areas. these cantonments will be deployed with heli-borne troops or QRF (quick reaction forces).

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

I think they are just throwing money at the problem like usual chaps, 600 million a year is not enough to defeat Al Qaeda (tens of billions are not working in Afghanistan).

The money will go a lot further in Pakistan than it will in Afghanistan, given the higher cost of deploying Western troops. You have to remember that Pakistan's entire official defense budget is about 4 billion US. So we are looking at a little over a sixth of that in Western funding, and theoretically that money is specifically meant for COIN ops.

The manpower in the shape of the FC and certain PA units already exists. Expansion and training are on the cards, but it would be safe to argue that the building blocks are already in place, unlike in Afghanistan. Many of the FC, though having performed poorly, have been on the field and in the line of fire.

I would also argue that commitment and motivation to a degree also exists in the existing members of the FC, given that they haven't all disbanded and deserted. In fact desertions have remained relatively limited despite the barbarism displayed by the Taliban, and FC being out-gunned, out-equipped and out paid by the militias.

As FM suggested - constructing cantonments in FATA, raising QRF's (a combination of the SOTF from the SSG and FC special forces is what Blain suggested earlier I believe, correct me if I am wrong), training and equipping and possibly paying more to these forces should be achievable with the funds we are looking at.

 

[fatman17]

pls take time to read a detailed post on the Afghan National Army in the world military section (or something like that)

 

[TruthSeeker]

Is this funding something you guys support? Do you worry about too much US dependency if you accept this and get used to the extra funding (that can be cut off any time)? Should I write my Congressman and Senators and ask them to support this kind of appropriation? Along with infrastructure project (roads, water systems, etc.) funding in a separate appropriation?

 

[Kharian_Beast]

The money will go a lot further in Pakistan than it will in Afghanistan, given the higher cost of deploying Western troops. You have to remember that Pakistan's entire official defense budget is about 4 billion US. So we are looking at a little over a sixth of that in Western funding, and theoretically that money is specifically meant for COIN ops.

The manpower in the shape of the FC and certain PA units already exists. Expansion and training are on the cards, but it would be safe to argue that the building blocks are already in place, unlike in Afghanistan. Many of the FC, though having performed poorly, have been on the field and in the line of fire.

I would also argue that commitment and motivation to a degree also exists in the existing members of the FC, given that they haven't all disbanded and deserted. In fact desertions have remained relatively limited despite the barbarism displayed by the Taliban, and FC being out-gunned, out-equipped and out paid by the militias.

As FM suggested - constructing cantonments in FATA, raising QRF's (a combination of the SOTF from the SSG and FC special forces is what Blain suggested earlier I believe, correct me if I am wrong), training and equipping and possibly paying more to these forces should be achievable with the funds we are looking at.

Well I guess the only way to tell the long term effects is by watching how it will be spent via what is achieved for the FC as you pointed out. We are down to the last bit of the aid package and till now basically nothing has found its way to these afflicted areas IMO. Spot on analysis of funding allocation though by you lot here.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Is this funding something you guys support? Do you worry about too much US dependency if you accept this and get used to the extra funding (that can be cut off any time)? Should I write my Congressman and Senators and ask them to support this kind of appropriation? Along with infrastructure project (roads, water systems, etc.) funding in a separate appropriation?

Truth Seeker, who in their right mind would oppose free money?

But seriously, I think the injection of funds into building up our COIN capacity is extremely useful and necessary. I just hope that the disbursement and utilization of the funds is kept transparent to avoid the mud slinging that has occurred with past disbursements to Pakistan.

The same with the Biden-Lugar bill. I believe disbursements of those funds should be along the lines of what the ADB, WB and IDB have done - Specific project proposals should be developed by the GoP and funding sought for those out of the Aid allocated by the US.

Whether the GoP will act honestly or not is besides the point, I would think it is simply common sense to not give any country receiving aid a 'blank cheque', and structure disbursement based on feasible projects developed by the recipient government.

Another alternative would be direct funding of reputable NGO's involved in social welfare and education programs (since they utilize money far more efficiently than governments do) but that always carries the risk of alienating the NGO's and making them targets of attacks for 'promoting the US agenda'.

 

[MastanKhan]

Truth seeker,

It is a misconception---it is not free money----pakistan provides the services at first----then sends in the bill at the end of the year---the accountans in the U S go through the billings and then pay the balance.

Truthseeker----pakistan has already spent this money---pakistan has screwed itself again---one more time---it has to wait for a year and more to be re-imbersed----pakistan should have taken every years expense up-front and the adjusted for any defficiencuies. We provide the services---we spend our own money---and then we are castigated as well.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

MK,

I believe you are spot on about the majority of the ten billion or so that is always brought up in the media - it has primarily been for reimbursement of expenses incurred through logistical support and military operations.

However my comment was regarding the 2.7 billion discussed in the second article posted by FM, which appears to be an additional amount of funding possibly being requested to support COIN capacity building in the Pakistani security forces to better handle the insurgency.

 

[fatman17]

Truth seeker,

It is a misconception---it is not free money----pakistan provides the services at first----then sends in the bill at the end of the year---the accountans in the U S go through the billings and then pay the balance.

Truthseeker----pakistan has already spent this money---pakistan has screwed itself again---one more time---it has to wait for a year and more to be re-imbersed----pakistan should have taken every years expense up-front and the adjusted for any defficiencuies. We provide the services---we spend our own money---and then we are castigated as well.

this reminds me of a WSJ or NYT article around may/june this year when the bruhaha started about the pak military mis-using the US aid / disbursement monies.

the complaint was that the money wasnt filtering down to the FC where it was needed most and the example given was that the FC men dont have money for "boots" and had to make do with "Sandals". the sandals the esteemed reporter was referring to were the famous "Kohati chappals" which is worn by 95% of the pashtun population. its part of their culture and they are comfortable in these chappals / sandals under any conditions.

now when such examples are quoted without a complete "understanding" of the ground realities, what can you say!. here is a guy comfortably sitting in his air-con room at the WSJ or NYT and saying to himself "man i got the pak military by their ballz".

i had a great laugh! this is how the media manipulates things!

 

[dr.umer]

Pentagon working on proposal for new security assistance for Pakistan

19 Dec 2008

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (APP): The Pentagon is working on a proposal to provide additional security assistance to Pakistan in support of its counterterrorism efforts along the Afghan border.

A senior US Department of Defense official said Thursday that the proposal for new assistance for the key South Asian anti-terrorism partner has come from Central Command and is at early stages. The proposed funding is in addition to existing programs including coalition support fund and foreign military financing.

“Right now we’ve got, you know, in addition to the coalition support fund and the foreign military financing, there is a proposal coming out of CENTCOM to provide some additional kinds of financial assistance that would—assist the Pakistani military in their counterterrorism operations,” Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said at a briefing.

“But this is just a proposal at this point, hasn’t gotten to this—to the secretary, hasn’t been briefed to Congress. I think it’s in the conceptual stages. And I don’t have really anything further beyond that,” he added.

Meanwhile, according to a U.S. media report, the new fund is deemed as necessary to ensure Pakistan has the tools and resources to perform more effectively in its counterinsurgency role.

Pentagon working on proposal for new security assistance for Pakistan

 

[Imran Khan]

Pentagon working on proposal for new security assistance for Pakistan



WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (APP): The Pentagon is working on a proposal to provide additional security assistance to Pakistan in support of its counter terrorism efforts along the Afghan border.

A senior US Department of Defense official said Thursday that the proposal for new assistance for the key South Asian anti-terrorism partner has come from Central Command and is at early stages. The proposed funding is in addition to existing programs including coalition support fund and foreign military financing.

“Right now we’ve got, you know, in addition to the coalition support fund and the foreign military financing, there is a proposal coming out of CENTCOM to provide some additional kinds of financial assistance that would “assist the Pakistani military in their counterterrorism operations,” Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said at a briefing.

“But this is just a proposal at this point, hasn’t gotten to this to the secretary, hasn’t been briefed to Congress. I think its in the conceptual stages.

And I don’t have really anything further beyond that,” he added. The U.S. officials says the new fund is deemed as necessary to ensure Pakistan has the tools and resources to perform more effectively in its counterinsurgency role.

The Pentagon spokesman did not give the size of assistance at the briefing but Bloomberg news service reported the proposed “Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund” aims at providing the Pakistani military as much as $2.64 billion to buy better weapons and provide more training for its battle against insurgents.

About $400 million is included in an emergency wartime measure for the second half of this fiscal year that is now being reviewed. The remainder”$2.2 billion “will be sought over the next five years, starting with $573 million in the fiscal 2010 budget. The money will be controlled by US central command so that it can be disbursed quickly, the report said citing US officials.