Obama proposes $1.2 billion to aid Pakistani military

[Neo]

Obama proposes $1.2 billion to aid Pakistani military

Mon Feb 1, 2010

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday proposed $1.2 billion in funding next year to help train and equip Pakistani security forces to fight Taliban militants.

Created by Congress last year, the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund set aside some $700 million in 2009 to train and equip the country's army and other security forces.

[Neo]

Obama seeks increase in economic, security aid for Pakistan

WASHINGTON (February 01, 2010): The Obama Administration has sought Congressional approval for substantial increase in funding US assistance for Pakistan in the 2011 fiscal budget with a focus on economic development, energy projects and improvement in counterinsurgency capability of Pakistani security forces.

Under the $ 3.8 trillion budget, proposed by President Barack Obama on Monday, the Department of State seeks "$ 4.0 billion in FY 2011 for Afghanistan assistance and $3.1 billion for Pakistan assistance to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan by increasing assistance to both countries, providing funds for governance, reconstruction, and other development activities that will counter extremists," a White House budget fact sheet says.

Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund will see an increase from the 2009 allocation of $ 700 million to $1.2 billion in the next fiscal year, beginning October 1, 2010. The figure includes carry forward amount from the current year's allocation.

The money, under the PCCF, will be used to train and equip Pakistan military to fight militants more effectively along the Afghan border, where the country has been playing a key role in curbing terrorism over several years.

The request for State Department operations says increase in assistance for Pakistan and Afghanistan is intended to "revitalize economic development and confront the resurgence of the Taliban."

"The 2011 Budget increases US resources in support of the President's strategy to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Budget increases assistance to both countries, providing additional funding for governance, reconstruction, and other development activities that will counter extremists.

"For Pakistan, the Budget also increases security assistance and funds a new signature energy project."

The Budget expands the number of civilian personnel in Afghanistan and Pakistan in an effort to build government capacity, increase diplomatic engagement, manage expanded assistance programs, and ensure proper utilization of funds.

[Neo]

Obama seeks $0.5bn increase in military aid for Pakistan

* Funds to help improve counterinsurgency capabilities along border with Afghanistan

WASHINGTON: The Obama administration has sought a $0.5 billion increase in funds to be provided to Pakistan to bolster the counterinsurgency capabilities of the country’s security forces.

Under the $ 3.8 trillion budget proposed by President Barack Obama on Monday, the Department of State has sought “$4.0 billion in fiscal year 2011 for Afghanistan … and $3.1 billion for Pakistan … to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan by increasing assistance to both countries, providing funds for governance, reconstruction and other development activities that will counter extremists”, according to a White House document.

The ‘Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund’ would see an increase from the 2009 allocation of $ 700 million to $1.2 billion in the next fiscal year beginning on October 1. The figure includes the carried forward sum from the current year’s allocation. The money under the fund would be used to train and equip the Pakistan military to fight militants more effectively along the Afghan border.

The request for State Department operations says an increase in assistance for Pakistan and Afghanistan is intended to “revitalise economic development and confront the resurgence of the Taliban”.

“The 2011 budget increases US resources in support of the president’s strategy to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The budget increases assistance to both countries, providing additional funding for governance, reconstruction and other development activities that would counter extremists.

“For Pakistan, the budget also increases security assistance and funds a new signature energy project,” according to the White House document.

The president requested $1.322 billion – a proposed increase of $289 million – for Pakistan from the Economic Support Fund (ESF), a House Democratic aide who had seen detailed budget documents told Reuters. The administration also asked Congress to approve $296 million for Pakistan from a programme called Foreign Military Financing, said the House aide. agencies

[Neo]

Obama seeks $3.1 bn aid for Pakistan to defeat Al Qaeda

Malaysia News.Net
Monday 1st February, 2010 (IANS)

President Barack Obama has sought $3.1 billion in non-military aid for Pakistan and $4.0 billion for Afghanistan 'to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al Qaeda' by better 'governance, reconstruction, and other development activities to counter extremists'.

The non-military assistance is in addition to almost $30 billion more proposed for the wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq with $548.9 billion outlay for defence in Obama's record $3.8 trillion budget for 2011 sent to the US Congress Monday.

The non-military aid is part of $56.8 billion outlay proposed for the State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and other international programmes 'to advance the interests of the United States through engagement, partnership, and the promotion of universal values' .

'In addition, funding is provided for ongoing support, logistics and security for the existing US Missions in Afghanistan and Pakistan and new funding is provided to support over 500 additional civilian staff in Afghanistan and Pakistan in order to execute the President's strategy,' the White House said.

Obama also sought $4.5 billion supplemental funds for fiscal 2010 'to advance the President's strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan and to help facilitate the military-to-civilian transition in Iraq.'

The budget also set 'high-performance' goals for the State Department including strengthening 'Afghanistan's and Pakistan's capacity to effectively provide services to citizens and enhance the long-term sustainability of development efforts...'

[sohamsri]

And so it will continue till WoT is dealt with.
What will happen after that worries me.

[vinod2070]

Originally Posted by sohamsri

And so it will continue till WoT is dealt with.
What will happen after that worries me.

Pakistan has always made a neat packet whenever Afghanistan has been in trouble.

I am sure Afghans will continue to provide this opportunity to Pakistan to to rake in the moolah. For a looong time.

Pakistan has no need to worry on this score. Not just yet! ;)

[sohamsri]

Originally Posted by vinod2070

Pakistan has always made a neat packet whenever Afghanistan has been in trouble.

Pakistan has no need to worry on this score. Not just yet! ;)

Assuming a stable Afghanistan under a Karzai(or similar minded) government establishes itself well after US/NATO withdrawal, I don't think Pakistan will be given much importance and influence.

There's no more Soviet Union, and the American intent of South Asian balance rests more upon India(as a counter to China) rather than Pakistan.
Simply put, they won't need Pakistan anymore.

Where will they get the money from, then ?

The only way out I can think of would be a big economic-military alliance with China which is seeming quite possible with Beijing's intentions of establishing MBs in Pakistan.

If however, Pakistan chooses to retain her integrity, will China be able to throw billions ? I doubt it.

[vinod2070]

^^ The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

China has given squat to Pakistan so far, despite the grave economic crisis.

Pakistanis are so emotionally dependent on China. In their hearts many know China doesn't give a damn!

[Solid Beast]

Some people accuse the U.S. of waging covert war on Pakistan, but truth be told they are the only ones handing serious military assistance to Pakistan, even the notorious 12 Shadow drone offer beats any Chinese military offers so far. Some people would argue that the U.S. is offering carrots and sticks. Well the sticks are deserved and change is necessary for the establishment, and as for the carrots they have been sustaining us a lot better than fortune cookies which we are still waiting on.

[sohamsri]

Originally Posted by vinod2070

^^ The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

China has given squat to Pakistan so far, despite the grave economic crisis.

Pakistanis are so emotionally dependent on China. In their hearts many know China doesn't give a damn!

I would partially agree with that.
They haven't given anything because they don't need to yet. US is filling them up.
However, China cannot afford to let Pakistan wither and die.

Look around us. All our neighbours(except Bhutan) have a growing Chinese influence within their ranks. Just the smart Chinese way of containing us.

Look at Sri Lanka. Apart from supplying weapons and ammunition, the Chinese extended instrumental help to make the operation against LTTE possible. In return they got a naval port(which ironically was offered to India first.)

Look at Bangladesh,
Hasina's relations with India aside, the general Bangladeshi political outlook is mobilizing in support of deeper relations with China.

Look at Myanmar,
While the world condemns them, China seeks further co-operation.

Nepal. The communist rule will ensure closer ties with China.

Pakistan. Ummm...

So in such an encirclement, Pakistan's lifeline must be kept flourishing at any cost.
Once the US backs off, Pakistan will be at Chinese mercy.