February
7, 2008 Senators Seek
Analysis of US Aid
to Pakistan By Arun Kumar
Washington
The Senate Armed Services Committee has sought a report on the
effectiveness of US-funded Pakistani operations against an
insurgency spreading along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Senators asked Pentagon's top civilian and military officials for
further analysis of the military aid during a hearing Wednesday, a
day after the top US intelligence official described Pakistan as
facing an existential crisis due to a spike in deadly terrorist
attacks over the past year.
Appearing before the panel, Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates echoed
concerns that Director of National Intelligence John M. (Mike)
McConnell expressed Tuesday before the Senate Intelligence
Committee.
"I think it's a fairly recent development and probably (was) brought
home most vividly to them by the assassination of Mrs. Bhutto, that
this is a serious threat," Gates said, referring to the
assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto
following a Dec 27 political rally in Rawalpindi.
Senator Jack Reed asked Gates if he agrees with McConnell's
assessment that Al Qaeda, using Pakistan's federally administrated
tribal areas (FATA) as a safe haven, is growing in its capacity to
attack regional US forces.
"I think that (he) is correct in saying that Al Qaeda is taking
advantage of the safe havens on the Pakistani side of the Afghan
border to expand and train for attacks," he said.
"There's clearly no doubt that they have the intent of attacking the
United States, and frankly, I think that's one of the reasons why
you're seeing a major push of equipment (into Pakistan) over the
next 24 months."
According to a Dec 24 New York Times article, Pakistan's military
relies on Washington for roughly a quarter of its entire $4 billion
budget. But much of the funding appropriated to bolster the
Pakistani military's efforts against Al Qaeda and Taliban extremists
is being misused, the article alleges.
Gates told the senators that US military aid has supported some 90
Pakistani army operations and allows about 100,000 troops to be
positioned in Pakistan 's northwest region.
"Based on the information available to me, I think they are (using
US funds appropriately)," he said, disputing allegations made by
anonymous sources quoted in the Times article.
At Gates' suggestion senators asked that Navy Adm. William J.
Fallon, commander of US Central Command, prepare a report on the US
investment in Pakistan's army before his expected appearance before
the panel in March.
Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairperson of the joint chiefs of staff,
told senators their request is timely, given that threats emanating
from Pakistan are "expanding and turning inward".
During Tuesday's Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, director of
the Defence Intelligence Agency Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Maples
raised doubts about Pakistani current operations against extremists
along the Afghanistan border.
Al Qaeda is using Pakistan's federally administrated tribal areas as
a safe haven, Maples said during his testimony. Pakistani military
operations have had limited effect on Al Qaeda, he said.
"However, Pakistan recognises the threat and realises the need to
develop more effective counterinsurgency capabilities to complement
their conventional military."
While insurgent activity remains concentrated in Afghanistan's
southern and eastern provinces, there have been attacks in the
western part of the country, the general noted.
"We believe that Al Qaeda has expanded its support to the Afghan
insurgency and presents an increased threat to Pakistan, while it
continues to plan, support and direct transnational attacks," he
explained.
Noting that Pakistan is a nuclear power, the general said the US
military has confidence that Pakistan can safeguard its nuclear
arsenal.
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