Senate passes Kerry-Lugar, increasing non-military aid to Pakistan

[ProSense]

09/24/2009

Senate Unanimously Passes Legislation To Increase Nonmilitary Aid To Pakistan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) andRanking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN) welcomed passage by the United State Senate of a revised version of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act, which will triple non-military aid Pakistan. The bill, S. 1707, updates and builds uponthe earlier S. 962 passed by the Senate in June.

Senator Kerry said, “Today, by unanimous consent, the Senate passed S.1707, the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009. This Act represents a collaboration between both Democrats and Republicans, in both Senate and the House, to forge a new long-term relationship between the people of America and Pakistan.The fact that President Obama was able to announce this at the United Nations sends an important message to Pakistan and the world of our strengthened commitment to this relationship.

“The fundamentals of the bill are precisely those enshrined in the version passed by the Senate in June: Tripling of non-military aid to $1.5 billion per year, for each of the next five years— with a Congressional recommendation that this commitment to roads, schools, and other projects directly benefiting the Pakistani people be continued for an additional half-decade. The clear, tough-minded accountability standards and metrics contained in the original bill are carried through in this version. The legislation passed today incorporates House language compatible with the intent of the original bill, and is the product of two months of bicameral, bipartisan, and inter-branch consultation.

“I am delighted by the action of my colleagues today—and by the unanimity displayed in the Senate vote. This landmark piece of legislation is the product of careful consultation between both Chambers, and both sides of the aisle: I salute my friends Dick Lugar and Howard Berman for their leadership. It is my hope and expectation that the House will pass this bill speedily, so that the President can sign it into law without delay.”

Senator Lugar said, “The United States has an intense strategic interest in Pakistan and the surrounding region. The U.S. National Intelligence Estimate last year painted a bleak picture of the converging crises in Pakistan. A growing al-Qaeda sanctuary, an expanding Taliban insurgency, political brinksmanship, and a failing economy are intensifying turmoil and violence in that country. These circumstances are a threat to Pakistan, the region, and the United States.

“We should make clear to the people of Pakistan that our interests are focused on democracy, pluralism, stability, and the fight against terrorism. These are values supported by a large majority of the Pakistani people. If Pakistan is to break its debilitating cycle of instability, it will need to achieve progress on fighting corruption, delivering government services, and promoting broad based economic growth. The international community and the United States should support reforms that contribute to the strengthening of Pakistani civilian institutions.”

US Senate votes to triple aid to Pakistan

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The US Senate voted Thursday to triple non-military aid to Pakistan to roughly 1.5 billion dollars per year through 2014 in a bid to build trust and cooperation with a key ally against extremism.

US President Barack Obama's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, called the vote "a very important step forward" for sometimes tense relations between the United States and Pakistan.

Holbrooke spoke after Obama, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown led a summit grouping 26 countries and international organizations known as the "Friends of Democratic Pakistan."

The Senate's unanimous approval set the stage for action in the House of Representatives, where the measure could be introduced as early as Friday with a vote expected soon thereafter that would send it to Obama to sign into law.

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[ProSense]

1. Today was a great day for foreign policy

09/24/200

Kerry Applauds Passage Of United Nations' Nuclear Proliferation Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement commending the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous adoption of a nonproliferation and disarmament resolution:

“I commend the President for reasserting American leadership on the vital issue of nuclear nonproliferation and for securing unanimous Security Council approval of an important resolution. The world has long looked to our nation to lead in combating nuclear proliferation, and today’s action by the Security Council demonstrates the concrete benefits to our own nation’s security that can be achieved when the United States takes up that mantle of leadership.

“With this resolution the Security Council has called upon all states to follow the United States’ lead and take on the goal of securing all of the world’s vulnerable nuclear material in four years. It has also put governments of the world on notice that the international community will not tolerate cynical efforts to take advantage of the rights to peaceful nuclear energy that are enshrined in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)in the pursuit of nuclear weapons.

“I am especially pleased that the Security Council has called upon states to adopt stricter export controls over sensitive nuclear equipment and technology, will address any move by a state to withdraw from the NPT, and has affirmed that a state that withdraws from the NPT remains responsible for any violations of the Treaty that it committed before withdrawal.”

[karynnj]

3. This has to be incredible for Kerry to have a President, who he helped win,

doing things like this. This was an issue that Kerry ran on in his very first Senate race in 1984.

[Cha]

2. Thanks for keeping us so well informed on

what Kerry is up to, PS, because he is one busy Senator who has been doing a lot of good for our country in his Senate position.

This being a part of a major strategy with Pakistan.

[wisteria]

4. Good, these were much needed funds. Now, lets see if they live up to what we expect of them. n/t