Pak envoy seeks another $30 billion from US
08 Apr 2009
Not satisfied with the $7.5 billion in civilian aid and $3 billion in military assistance already committed by the Obama government, Pakistan's envoy to the US Husain Haqqani has another $30 billion under Marshall Plan to fight al-Qaida and the Taliban.
In an interaction with the editors and reporters of The Washington Post, Haqqani sought to compare this demand with the stimulus packages being doled out to US banks and companies. "Despite the economic issues that the world is facing, the cost of a Marshall Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan is going to be minuscule (compared) to the bailouts being given to American car companies and AIG," Haqqani said.
"The impact in terms of American security and in terms of the longer term stability of the world in a very precarious region will be far greater. Pakistan has the will to fight terrorists, it needs the means and the United States should provide those," he said.
While the Kerry-Lugar bill has proposed tripling of the non-civilian aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year, he said Pakistan needs $5 billion a year for the next five years from the US and its allies to build local law enforcement of about 100,000 men, strengthen counterinsurgency against the Taliban and al-Qaida and persuade the average citizen that the war on extremism is essential for the country's survival.
Congress asks questions
But as Taliban-related violence continues in Pakistan and Afghanistan, some US lawmakers are expressing concern over President Obama's proposal to extend more monetary assistance to Pakistan. Congress has begun a series of hearings on the issue in the last week.
Experts and lawmakers suggested the new administration must hold Pakistan accountable for eliminating safe havens for Taliban and al-Qaida militants.
Lawmakers have been increasingly expressing concern over sending financial and military assistance to Pakistan because of its continued inability to fight the militants.
Senate armed services committee chairman Carl Levin says he does not believe the United States can buy stability in Pakistan, and that Pakistan must first prove it is willing to take on extremists within its own borders.
