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Senator seeks report on US assistance to Pakistan
Noting that Pakistan has received over $13 billion worth of US aid post 9/11, an influential Senator has demanded that the Obama Administration should submit to the Congress a report on aid effectiveness and Islamabad's efforts to cease support for terrorist groups.
Senator Robert Menendez demanded this in a letter to secretary Hillary Clinton in which he said that analysis from independent observers like RAND and new threats from those like Faisal Shahzad reaffirm the necessity to define, revisit, and if necessary, reassess the US strategy for Pakistan.
Dated July 2, the letter was released to the press on Tuesday, as Clinton travelling in Pakistan announced a series of aid to this South Asian country.
Menendez said with much of al-Qaida's leadership believed to reside in the tribal areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Pakistan has received more than $13 billion in US taxpayer funds since the 9/11 attacks, $7.2 billion of which has been reimbursements to Pakistan's military.
Menendez said he has been an advocate for a smart and comprehensive strategy-one with quantifiable metrics and regular monitoring to ensure not only accountability, but to provide a framework for constant improvement.
"There is no doubt that we are dealing with complicated issues in a volatile region; the threat of terrorism originating from Pakistan is no less complex and challenging. It calls for a plan utilising all elements of US national power, which is why I urge the prompt completion of the comprehensive strategy and monitoring reports on security and foreign assistance in the region," he said.
"In the interest of strengthening our national security and protecting the American people, I am writing to urge you to provide several outstanding, Congressionally-mandated updates on the effectiveness of US assistance to Pakistan and on that government's efforts to cease support for terrorist groups," Menendez wrote in his letter to Clinton.
Although the recent failed attack in New York serves as another wake-up call, the ties to Pakistan come as no surprise, he said.
"As early as February 2008, I co-requested a series of reports from the Government Accountability Office to assess controls and counter-terrorism efforts along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border," he said.
"Among their findings was that the US lacked a comprehensive plan to combat the terrorist threat in the FATA, and that congressional oversight and agency monitoring efforts were needed to ensure US funds were used as intended," he said.
Senator seeks report on US assistance to Pakistan - US - World - The Times of India
Noting that Pakistan has received over $13 billion worth of US aid post 9/11, an influential Senator has demanded that the Obama Administration should submit to the Congress a report on aid effectiveness and Islamabad's efforts to cease support for terrorist groups.
Senator Robert Menendez demanded this in a letter to secretary Hillary Clinton in which he said that analysis from independent observers like RAND and new threats from those like Faisal Shahzad reaffirm the necessity to define, revisit, and if necessary, reassess the US strategy for Pakistan.
Dated July 2, the letter was released to the press on Tuesday, as Clinton travelling in Pakistan announced a series of aid to this South Asian country.
Menendez said with much of al-Qaida's leadership believed to reside in the tribal areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Pakistan has received more than $13 billion in US taxpayer funds since the 9/11 attacks, $7.2 billion of which has been reimbursements to Pakistan's military.
Menendez said he has been an advocate for a smart and comprehensive strategy-one with quantifiable metrics and regular monitoring to ensure not only accountability, but to provide a framework for constant improvement.
"There is no doubt that we are dealing with complicated issues in a volatile region; the threat of terrorism originating from Pakistan is no less complex and challenging. It calls for a plan utilising all elements of US national power, which is why I urge the prompt completion of the comprehensive strategy and monitoring reports on security and foreign assistance in the region," he said.
"In the interest of strengthening our national security and protecting the American people, I am writing to urge you to provide several outstanding, Congressionally-mandated updates on the effectiveness of US assistance to Pakistan and on that government's efforts to cease support for terrorist groups," Menendez wrote in his letter to Clinton.
Although the recent failed attack in New York serves as another wake-up call, the ties to Pakistan come as no surprise, he said.
"As early as February 2008, I co-requested a series of reports from the Government Accountability Office to assess controls and counter-terrorism efforts along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border," he said.
"Among their findings was that the US lacked a comprehensive plan to combat the terrorist threat in the FATA, and that congressional oversight and agency monitoring efforts were needed to ensure US funds were used as intended," he said.
Senator seeks report on US assistance to Pakistan - US - World - The Times of India
