HOLBROOKE-PAK 2 LST

The bill includes the amendments by Menendez and
Senator Bob Corker, according to which the US is required to
give a determination that the payment is both in US national
interest and it will not affect the balance of power in the
region.

The bill provides for a military assistance of USD
2.3 billion to Pakistan in one year, in addition to the USD
1.5 billion non-military aid per annum for the next five years
as approved by the Kerry-Lugar Bill, which was signed into law
by US President Barack Obama early this month.
India feels that the American assistance to Pakistan
should be more focused on building counter-insurgency
capabilities rather than conventional defence equipment which
can be diverted for other purposes.
It also wants US to seek greater accountability from
Islamabad in terms of how the defence assistance is used.
"The Congress wants the secretary of Defense, in the
case of this bill (Defense Authorisation) and the Secretary of
State, in the case of Kerry-Lugar-Berman, to report to them on
certain issues before and during the process of releasing the
funds," Holbrooke said.
He even termed the bill as "pro-Pakistan".
"So this is a pro-Pakistan bill. And I pray that your
colleagues in Islamabad report it accurately so we don't have
another misunderstanding," Holbrooke said.
He was responding to a question by a Pakistani
journalist whether the Defense Authorisation Bill imposes
conditions on Pakistan, despite the fact that Army is running
successful military operation against Taliban in Waziristan
and other tribal regions of the country. PTI LKJ
ANU


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