US waives conditions on Pakistan aid

PAKISTAN TODAY

The State Department has waived conditions for this year’s annual US assistance for Pakistan, saying providing economic and security aid to the country, totaling around $2 billion, is in America’s national security interest. The development paves the way for release of US economic and security assistance for Pakistan and comes as the two countries try to rebuild relationship in the wake of a strained phase in bilateral ties for more than a year. The relations began to improve in early July, when Pakistan reopened its overland routes to NATO supplies following Washington’s expression of apology over November 2011 Salala attacks that had claimed lives of 24 Pakistani soldiers. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton formally notified Congress on September 13 that the US Administration would continue the American aid flow by waiving certifications required contained in the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 and in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 finding that “it was in the national security interest of the United States to do so.” The Obama Administration’s FY2013 request for aid to Pakistan totaled $2.2 billion, of which $800 million for Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund is in Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), considered to be short- term, temporary funds. Another $1.4 billion is considered to be enduring or regular funding, according to a Congressional Research Service report. In mid-August 2012, the State Department notified Congress of its intention to cite U.S. national security provisions in waiving two certification requirements that placed conditions on U.S. assistance to Pakistan. These provisions related to Pakistan’s cooperation with the United States on a range of counterterrorism, nonproliferation, democracy, and other issue-areas. This marks the first time the Obama Administration has waived aid sanctions on Pakistan. In the past, Congress had permanently waived all proliferation and debt-arrearage sanctions on Pakistan in October 2002, and the Bush Administration issued six waivers of democracy-related sanctions— for FY2002-FY2007—until these were permanently waived following an April 2008 determination that a democratic government had been restored in Islamabad. American officials say “despite recent challenges” in relations with Pakistan, there has been progress toward rebuilding ties. A State Department statement, quoted by McClatchy news service, said the aid for Pakistan is “critical component of U.S. efforts to continue to build a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with Pakistan.” “We believe we should continue building on these steps and that our civilian and security assistance is a critical component of this effort,” the statement said. A CRS report on US aid for Pakistan says the goal to provide $1.5 billion in annual nonmilitary assistance to Pakistan for FY2010 through FY2014, as authorized by the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, also known as the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill has been met only in FY2010. It fell short in FY2011 by $414 million, in FY2012 by an estimated $500 million, and in the FY2013 request by $428 million. For the third consecutive year, Pakistan is experiencing major seasonal flooding that, while not as severe as that of 2010 and 2011, has resulted in more than 430 deaths and has negatively affected nearly 4.8 million people with deteriorated living conditions, according to the report. The report says Islamabad has pledged $91 million toward relief and is coordinating response efforts. As of end September, 2012, the State Department and USAID humanitarian assistance totaled $134.6 million. U.S. flood-relief provided to Pakistan in FY2010 and FY2011 totaled more than $600 million in funds and in-kind aid and services.