Pakistan Military Riled by U.S. Aid Bill

(AP Photo/ISPR)

Pakistan's influential army on Wednesday came out in a rare public criticism of a recent U.S. aid bill to the country, citing its "serious concern" on provisions which have prompted a wave of criticism from hardcore Pakistani nationalists.

The controversy has erupted just as U.S. President Barack Obama prepares to finalize a plan for stabilizing Afghanistan, Pakistan's next door neighbor, where an insurgency led by the Taliban and supported by al Qaeda has gathered momentum in the past year, causing a growing number of U.S. and NATO military casualties.

Last week, the U.S. Congress approved the Kerry-Lugar bill, named after its sponsors Senators John Kerry and Richard Lugar, which effectively triples U.S. aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year for the next five years. The bill is presently lying with Mr. Obama for signing in to law.

In an attempt to address Washington's concerns over Pakistan's military and its long-suspected ties to hardline Islamic militants, the bill stipulates that U.S. military aid will be withheld if there is evidence that Pakistan is not helping to fight terrorists including al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The bill also seeks Pakistan's cooperation to dismantle illegal nuclear supply networks by sharing "relevant information from or direct access to Pakistani nationals associated with such networks."

This was an apparent reference to Abdul Qadeer Khan, founder of Pakistan's nuclear program, effectively under house arrest for more than five years, since it was revealed that he had traded nuclear know how and technology with Iran, Libya and North Korea. The bill also provides for an assessment of the control of Pakistan's civilian government over the powerful military which has ruled it directly for more than half its life since it became independent in 1947.

Apparently stung by such provisions, General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani (pictured above), the powerful military chief, on Wednesday met with his top commanders at the Pakistan army's general headquarters in Rawalpindi - a suburb of Islamabad, the Pakistani capital.

"The forum expressed serious concern regarding clauses impacting on national security," said the military in a statement after the meeting, acknowledging that part of the discussion was on the Kerry-Lugar bill.

The military further said it was providing the government of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani who both support the Kerry-Lugar bill with its "formal input" over the issue. The statement also said it was the parliament that would debate the issue and finally enable the government to respond.

Western defense experts familiar with Pakistan's military said the army's reaction to take a public stand suggested that the generals were seeking to at least share their reservations on a U.S. bill which has so far has been debated and publicly discussed by the country's ruling politicians.

General Kiyani is widely known to be a liberal figure who has had extensive dealings with senior U.S. and NATO generals. However, his decision to take a position on the Kerry-Lugar bill indicates a wider resentment among top generals according to western defense analysts.

"The military feels they have to publicly take a position on this matter," said one western defense official in Islamabad who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity. "The Pakistani military is not at all anywhere near seeking to break ranks with the U.S. What they seem to be doing is simply taking a stand. Now, the next step will come from Washington where President Obama may not want to see a break in relations with Pakistan, especially as he (president Obama) deals with the crisis in Afghanistan."

[ratee-2009]

USA is known for its fickleness in all matters. USA CIA?s implanted Al-Qaida at the doorstep of Pakistan and got all the help from Pakistan in destroying Russian occupation in 1989.

USA left the area for 12 years and left Pakistan completely alone to fetch for the 3.5 million refugees and trained mujaheddin and the 200 Arab leaders of Al-Qaida that CIA planted in this area. They have destroyed the social fabric of Pakistan. What else you expect from USA nothing will good will come out for Pakistan in the long term with this aid package as $ 1.5 per year for 5 years is peanuts. This is a lolly pop filled with poison!!!

Pakistanis have totally rejected the fundamentalists they did not win one seat in whole of Pakistan and are totally supporting the operation against the Taliban.

Yet as usual the USA?s arrogance and interference in Pakistan should be rejected and Pakistan requires to get rid of this subservient Government. If this aid package is accepted by this Government this will happen very soon as the army is supporting this cause as its popular among the masses which shows the disrespect of USA to a poor country that has been used previously for their own purpose and left to suffer.

[ratee-2009]

Pakistan has helped USA in defeating Russia in 1989 that everyone forgets. USA had brought in 200 mujaheddin fighters of Al-Qaeda in 1979 from the Arab world to fight the Russians. Its USA that that fled this area from (1989 to 2001)and left these trained Terrorists there in Pakistan with 3.5 million Afghan refugees that have destroyed Pakistan's social fabric.

Pakistan that was left with these trained manpower of mujaheddin who had no jobs and who did not know any other profession.

USA should take responsibility for its previous inaction and lack of staying power as it had created this monster.

USA need to compensate Pakistan for their biggest mistake in helping to create a monster Al-Qaida and then leaving that on the doorstep of Pakistan and forgetting that from years 1989 to 2001.

[hungry1968-16]

Maybe we should do something about the BILLIONS that were frivolously given away to Pakistan, by the Bush regime first?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/05/billions-in-us-aid-to-pak_n_309283.html

[cinoti]

If the Pakistani military has a problem with a performance clause, it suggests that they are not serious about stopping terrorism, How
else can it be interpreted? We are being suckered, and have been
suckered by the ever clever Pakistani leadership. Pakistani is
destined to become a "fried waste land" how else can this sad story
end? We should get of the way and let India and Pakistani resume
their dance with "Shiva"!

[ratee-2009]

Yes with a friend like USA this had nearly happened!!! USA which left this area for 12 years from 1989 to 2001 to fend for itself with 200 Al-Qaida terrorists trained by CIA of USA and trained mujaheddin and 3.5 million refugees.

Pakistan has on the other hand picked the pieces and has destroyed the Taliban in 100 kilometers of Swat region so it does not any certification from anybody. What has NATO achieved so far in Afghanistan since 2001?

[sjc_1]

Pakistan will fight the Taliban because they have to. They can find the money to do that or fall to the Taliban influence. I see no need to give them money without conditions.

[ratee-2009]

What an idiotic way to give aid when the purpose of aid is defeated and you are pitting the army against the civilian government which you want to strengthen.

[afmcalax]

I don't think the Kerry-Lugar bill went far enough. The waste associated with the money going to the Pakistani military is enormous and has to be stopped. Much of the money goes to supporting Pakistans idiotic "war" with India and funding terrorist groups that kill and injure innocent citizens in India. Even with the money it appears the military does not have the needed equipment to fight the terrorists and these generals skim off their cut. We need to demand more from the countries that recieve our aid.

[jwesel1]

Seems you're an Indian. Why do you say "our aid"?

[AOCGUY]

I don't see the problem here. Pakistan: you want our money? The abide by our terms which are reasonable. If not $7.5 billion can be better used at home anyway.

[ratee-2009]

For your information Pakistani forces have lost more than 2000 army personnel in this war in contrast to around 600 USA troops and they are fighting the same enemy. There are 150,000 Pakistani troops fighting against the Taliban. USA has a 60,000 troops in Afghanistan on the other side of the border. This $ 7.5 billion aid is for 5 years period and is quite an insignificant amount considering the purpose of the aid.

Perhaps one should understand the long term purpose of this aid which nobody wants to understand as without Pakistan's support Nato cannot think of winning this war.USA needs Pakistan's support more than any other nations support at this particular time.

[ratee-2009]

For your information it is just $ 1.5 billion yearly for five years. There are 150,000 Pakistani troops fighting against the same enemy while USA has 60,000 troops. This aid is peanuts as the cost of this war to Pakistan cannot be measured in dollar terms only.You are paying for Pakistani forces as they are fighting the same enemy on their side of the border.

Would you like USA fighting this war as well??

The total spending on Pakistan as compared to Afghanistan which they are actually spending there is just 3 days spending of NATO forces in Afghanistan plus they are also losing their troops!!!

USA is not a selfless country it knows the cost benefit analysis of what its investing. Therefore Pakistan has the right to see if the aid is worth the cost as nothing comes free!!!