U.S. commits to $2 billion military assistance package to Pakistan

[News_Editor]

U.S. commits to $2 billion military assistance package to Pakistan

2010-10-22 21:18:50 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday announced an additional $2 billion five-year military and security assistance agreement with Pakistan, its "strongest" ally.

Clinton, along with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, made the announcement during a press conference in Washington as the third session of the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue was formally opened. Congressional approval, however, is pending.

“I want to say publically that the U.S. has no stronger partner, when it comes to counter terrorism efforts against extremists who threaten us both, than Pakistan," Clinton said.

The package, which would be delivered from 2012 to 2016, is directed to fund counter-insurgency operations, which includes equipment, among other things.

"These groups threaten the security first and foremost of the people of Pakistan, of neighbors, of the United States and indeed of the world," Clinton added.

"Prophets of doom are back in business, painting doomsday scenarios about our alliance," Qureshi stated. "They are dead wrong."

Clinton also highlighted the ongoing affects of Pakistan's catastrophic flooding, which began in late July, killing over 2,000 people and affecting more than 21 million.

“We have stood with you and we will keep standing with you to help not just cope with the aftermath of the floods but to get back on the path of prosperity,†said Clinton. “We know millions are homeless. We are working and will continue to do all we can to help you.â€

Also participating in the strategic dialgues are U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen and Pakistan's army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Agriculture Minister Nazar Muhammad Gondal.

This announcement is in addition to a previous five-year commitment, the Kerr-Lugar Bill, which had already been signed with Pakistan and includes $7.5 billion in civilian aid.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-22

[SergeiY]

Only $2 billion?

[siampolee]

Absolutely amazing.

On one hand the Americans are attacking via drones areas of Pakistan that are considered Taliban strongholds and castigating the Pakistan government for dragging their feet in dealing with a presumed Taliban influx.

Yet on the other hand they ( the Americans ) are happily supplying the Pakistani military with ordinance and hardware that may well be used against them ( the Americans ) at a later date.

Methinks that the principles of the armaments manufacturers are indeed a trifle skewed, as are the mindsets of the politicians and civil servants who authorised this bizarre deal.

The power of money, well of course body bags of killed soldiers do not show on company balance sheets do they ?

Those that were, or will be killed or injured ( both physically and mentally injured ) are but sacrifices on the high altar of profit at any price by the armaments manufacturers .

America is indeed showing itself as a major if not actually the number one sponsor of world terrorism by such a deal as the one struck with Pakistan.

With " friends" like America what country has a need of an enemy ?

Indeed, "Politicians make strange bedfellows."

[bdenner]

No worries, crank up them there presses and start the money flowing. One day Pakistan may return the favor when the US reaches Banana Republic status. Scary indeed