Review US aid to Pak before 'another dime' goes: Lawmakers

May 03, 2011 |

Washington

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Osama bin Laden's presence in Pakistan before he was killed prompted many US lawmakers today to demand a review of the billions of dollars in American aid to that country before 'another dime' is sent.

One irate lawmaker - Senator Frank Lautenberg - went a step further demanding suspension of USD three billion aid to Pakistan, until the country answers how bin Laden was able to live so close to Islamabad and proves it stands by the US in war against terror.

"The United States provides billions of dollars in aid to Pakistan. Before we send another dime, we need to know whether Pakistan truly stands with us in the fight against terrorism. Until Congress and the American public are assured that the Pakistani government is not shielding terrorists, financial aid to Pakistan should be suspended," he added.

Senator Susan Collins said US needs to need to keep the pressure on Pakistan and for that it should put 'more strings attached to the tremendous amount of military aid that we give the country'.

Bin Laden had been holed up in a compound in the military garrison town of Abbottabad, possibly for years, before he was killed by US commandos in a 40-minute helicopter raid - an operation straight out of a spy thriller.

With Pakistan facing enormous international scrutiny since the killing of bin Laden deep inside inside the country, the lawmakers said it was time to review aid to Pakistan.

The US Congress has approved USD 20 billion for Pakistan in direct aid and military reimbursements partly to help that country fight militancy since bin Laden masterminded the September 11, 2001 attacks in US.

"Our government is in fiscal distress. To make contributions to a country that isn't going to be fully supportive is a problem for many," said Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein.

One Senator Charles Schumer however had a different take and did not agree with the statements of some of his colleagues that until Congress and the American public are assured that the Pakistani government is not shielding terrorists, financial aid to Pakistan should be suspended. "...I think you have to be careful before cutting off aid, because the country is vital to us, and we need to find ways to strengthen the pro-Western factions in Pakistan and weaken those who are anti-Western and pro Taliban," Schumer said.

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