US sets India rider for $1.5bn aid to Pakistan

[Screaming Skull]

US sets India rider for $1.5bn aid to Pakistan​

April 05, 2009

Washington: Pakistan has to provide guarantees that it will not support terror against India before Washington doles out billions in fresh civil and military assistance to Islamabad, the US Congress has proposed.
A bill moved by Congressman Howard Berman, a California Democrat, implicitly condemns Pakistan with several references to its terror tactics against India, and seeks an end to such terror campaign in return for US aid.

Bearing a felicitous acronym — PEACE — and for a country that is accused of waging a continuous war against India, the Pakistan Enduring Assistance Cooperation Enhancement act of 2009, or Peace act of 2009, says, among other things, that the US expects Pakistan ‘‘not to support any person or group that conducts violence, sabotage, or other activities meant to instill fear or terror in India’’.

The bill also seeks an annual US presidential determination that Pakistan ‘‘has demonstrated a sustained commitment to and made progress towards combating terrorist groups’’.

This includes ‘‘taking into account the progress the Government of Pakistan has made with regard to ceasing support, including by any elements within the Pakistan military or its intelligence agency, to extremist and terrorist groups, particularly to any group that has conducted attacks against US or coalition forces in Afghanistan, including Afghanistan National Security Forces, or against the territory of India or the people of India’’.

Separately, a ‘‘Sense of Congress’’ contained in the bill says that ‘‘conditions in Pakistan will only be improved through regional coordination and cooperation, and long-term security in Pakistan depends on strengthening regional relationships among India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan’’.

The bill, which essentially seeks to triple US aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion annually in addition to enhanced military assistance, is expected to be taken up when the Congress reconvenes on April 20 after its spring recess.

‘‘This bill has one essential purpose — to strengthen our relationship with Pakistan,’’ Berman said after moving the legislation, adding,‘‘To ensure that US assistance is truly benefiting the Pakistani people, the legislation requires rigorous oversight and auditing.’’

Hard-line, militaristic elements in Pakistan are already chafing at the caveats and conditions, including making Islamabad accountable for proliferation activities. Even Pakistan’s civilian rulers are resentful, although the bill contains plenty of soothing language to assuage Pakistan’s sensitivities, with lavish references to its cooperation.

 

[Screaming Skull]

India's Response:

India today welcomed the introduction of a bill in the US Congress which links financial aid to Pakistan to the condition that it stops supporting terror groups active across the border.
"Any effort by the international community to ensure that Pakistan fulfills its international obligations is welcome," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters here.

Mukherjee was asked about a US bill seeking to triple non-military aid to Pakistan to a whopping USD 1.5 billion annually while asking Islamabad to stop supporting terror groups active in India.

Mukherjee pointed out that India has been persistent in demanding that Pakistan fulfill its bilateral, regional and international obligations to fight terrorism.

He said Pakistan had committed to India in January 2004 that its territory will not be allowed to be used by terrorists to carry out attack in India.

"This was reiterated by present President Asif Ali Zardari to Prime Minister Manmohan in September 2008," he said.

Mukherjee noted that Pakistan was party to the SAARC Anti-Terror Convention as also to various UN resolutions on fighting terrorism.

 

[Rabbit.Rabbit]

This is excellent news. I think it is the first time that the US Congress has taken a concrete step to address India's concerns.

I wouldn't call it coercive diplomacy. I think its only fair that Pakistan agrees to certain terms and conditions before receiving such a huge amount of compensation for essentially defending itself - something that it should be doing without anybody's help in the ideal circumstances.

 

[Awesome]

How about we tell the Americans you want to go through the Pakistani transit, this is the cost...

If a true Pakistani leader was at the helm, he would reject signing this agreement since it acknowledges Pakistan is supporting terrorists in India.

 

[PeacefulIndian]

I don't think it has come without an active Indian lobbying. Only shows that Indian lobby in US is getting stronger day by day.

Did Pakistan government react to this?

 

[PeacefulIndian]

How about we tell the Americans you want to go through the Pakistani transit, this is the cost...

If a true Pakistani leader was at the helm, he would reject signing this agreement since it acknowledges Pakistan is supporting terrorists in India.

This gets down to a basic question - who needs whom more? I think it is Pakistan who needs US aid to survive. So whatever you are saying is never gonna happen. Like it or not, you need their aid, under whatever conditions they set.

 

[Awesome]

I don't think it has come without an active Indian lobbying. Only shows that Indian lobby in US is getting stronger day by day.

Did Pakistan government react to this?

I hope they throw it away. It is the patriotic duty of all Pakistanis to get the message across that we're not signing on anything that acknowledges Pakistan is a terrorist state.

 

[Awesome]

This gets down to a basic question - who needs whom more? I think it is Pakistan who needs US aid to survive. So whatever you are saying is never gonna happen. Like it or not, you need their aid, under whatever conditions they set.

Pakistan can live without US aid, the 90s are a testament to that.

 

[omerhhh]

This gets down to a basic question - who needs whom more? I think it is Pakistan who needs US aid to survive. So whatever you are saying is never gonna happen. Like it or not, you need their aid, under whatever conditions they set.

It won't take more then a min fr us to stop supplying their troops in afghanistan and then we'll see thousands of merican soldiers trapped without supplies waiting for inevitable defeat.

 

[Awesome]

This is what I have a problem to:

the Government of Pakistan has made with regard to ceasing support, including by any elements within the Pakistani military or its intelligence agency, to extremist and terrorist groups, particularly to any group that has conducted attacks against the United States or coalition forces in Afghanistan, including Afghanistan National Security Forces, or against the territory of India or the people of India

Change it to this:

The Government of Pakistan will combat all elements, internal or external, supporting extremist and terrorist groups, particularly to any group that has conducted attacks against the United States or coalition forces in Afghanistan, including Afghanistan National Security Forces, or against the undisputed territories of India or the people of India

 

[Bull]

How about we tell the Americans you want to go through the Pakistani transit, this is the cost...

If a true Pakistani leader was at the helm, he would reject signing this agreement since it acknowledges Pakistan is supporting terrorists in India.

Well GOP has always admitted they supported these guys. The only difference is then they were freedom fighters and now they are terrorists. A change in nomenclature, thats all.

 

[PeacefulIndian]

It won't take more then a min fr us to stop supplying their troops in afghanistan and then we'll see thousands of merican soldiers trapped without supplies waiting for inevitable defeat.

The worst will happen for America is that they will pull out troops from Afghanistan & Pakistan. Then what?

Are you prepared, militarily & economically, to take on the terrorists on your own? Acknowledge that US aid will have stopped, you will be on your own. At maximum, you will succeed in keeping check on terrorists. But at what cost? You would have burnt down all of your resources. Be prepared to say good bye to your development then.

 

[RescueRanger]

This gets down to a basic question - who needs whom more? I think it is Pakistan who needs US aid to survive. So whatever you are saying is never gonna happen. Like it or not, you need their aid, under whatever conditions they set.

Hahah... If you think at this time and moment that Pak needs the US more then friend you are surely mistaken. At this point in time, frankly the US need Pakistan much more then Pakistan needs the US.

The Trilateral Confrence will be a dead duck without Pakistan and US plans to come to some sort of agreement with the so called "moderate" Taliban will go down the plug hole. As for those indian's dreaming their lobbying is getting stroger please read this and enlighten yourself:

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said US has accepted Pakistan’s position on foreign troops as Pakistan won’t allow foreign troops on its soil.

Addressing a joint press conference with Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Richard Holbrooke, special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, foreign minister said drone attacks also came under discussion during meeting with US officials. We neither get nor give blank cheques. US also acknowledge anti- terror efforts made by Pakistan. Pakistan is defending its borders.

Qureshi said Afghganistan, US and Pakistan will hold talks on May 6-7 in Washington. War against terrorism is not possible without mutual trust. Pakistan is a victim of terrorism and seeking political support from ‘Friends of Pakistan’.

Foreign troops not acceptable: Pak

Read the key word "Pakistan is a victim of terrorism"

Now put that in your pipe and smoke it...

 

[afriend]

Well its a welcome step..!! Good for both countries..!!! Brings in an accountability..Lets hope things improve.

 

[ajpirzada]

will this change anything????? no. these clauses are only there to satisfy others.