Robert Gates urging US Congress for funding $400m to Pakistan
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 11:05 pm
WASHINGTON: Defense Secretary Robert Gates is urging Congress to pass an $83.4 billion spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by Memorial Day, saying the Pentagon will deplete its funding for Pakistan next month and money for US operations will start running out in July.
Money and support for Pakistan, including bolstering its military operations along the border, have been central issues in the administration’s new strategy for the Afghanistan war. President Barack Obama and other top officials are expected to meet with Pakistani leaders next week.
“After Memorial Day, we will need to consider options to delay running out of funds,” Gates said in testimony prepared for delivery Thursday to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Money to reimburse Pakistan, which conducts operations along the border with Afghanistan, will run out in mid-May, he said.
Gates is scheduled to testify alongside Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. The bulk of the spending bill is for military operations, but $7.1 billion is for the State Department for international affairs and stabilization activities, including funds for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The proposed Pentagon aid to Pakistan includes a new $400 million fund that will be used to train and equip the Pakistani military to fight insurgents within its own borders. The money would be the first installment of a five-year, $3 billion plan.
“We are asking for this unique authority for the unique and urgent circumstances we face in Pakistan, for dealing with a challenge that simultaneously requires wartime and peacetime capabilities,” Gates said.
The Obama administration also is close to finalizing plans to provide training for the Pakistani military at a location outside Pakistan. While the site has not been decided, a senior administration official said Wednesday that the issue would come up in next week’s meetings.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the issue still was in discussion, said the expanded training comes in response to a request from Pakistan.
|
|
|
From World:
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Todays news from World News
- Greek Parliament Approves Austerity Measures Amid Clashes
- PM Yousuf Raza Gilani Charged With Contempt
- Gujarat Riots: High Court Slams Narendra Modi Govt For Failing
- Syria’s Homs Suffers ‘Heaviest’ Shelling
- Gilani Files Appeal In Contempt Case
Advertisement
Email Subscription
Advertisement
