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Link US aid to Pakistan to ending terrorism: Pallone

T V Parasuram in Washington

Voicing concern over continued US financial assistance to Pakistan, a prominent Congressman has asked Washington to link economic aid to Islamabad fulfilling its promise to end cross-border terrorism.

"I do not think it is appropriate for the US to provide any further aid to Pakistan if this promise (to stop cross-border terrorism) is not kept," Frank Pallone, co founder of the India Caucus said.

He added: "Musharraf (Pervez) needs to go further than stopping infiltration -- he must eradicate the training camps and schools operating in across the country."

Stating that he had all along been sceptical of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's promises to fight terrorism, both global and internal, Pallone said Musharraf's promises to crack down on terrorists at the Line of Control and on terrorist camps and schools in Pakistan were just promises that went unfulfilled.

"When a leader says that he will crack down on terrorism, but in the same breath make statements like 'Kashmir runs in our blood' or refer to terrorists as 'freedom fighters', that should be evidence enough that he is not truthful about ending terrorism," he said in a statement on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

There must be some system for ensuring that Pakistan is accountable for the money that has been allocated by the US, Pallone said.

He said, "We should demand evidence that although economic aid may be going to schools and other social projects, the investment is not then freeing up money that is reallocated towards weapons for Islamic militants and resources at terrorist training camps."

Regardless of Musharraf's 'empty promises' on curbing terrorism, the US has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to Pakistan in both economic and military aid, Pallone said.

The US provided $600 million in economic assistance in the financial year 2002 and $73 million for border security, $75 million in Foreign Military Financing in the supplemental and $50 million in military assistance.

In addition, the recently passed supplemental contained $40 million for Pakistan and an additional $250 million is being sought by the administration for economic development and assistance.

"I agree that Pakistan is in dire need of economic and humanitarian assistance," Pallone said, adding: "But I strongly objected to the military assistance provided to Pakistan by the US, especially considering the fact that Pakistan was not and still is not a democracy."

"I think it is important for us to evaluate the situation in Pakistan before setting aside further money in the financial year 2003 for economic aid to Pakistan and certainly for military assistance," the Congressman said.

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