Seeking more than $2.6 billion for the programme in Afghanistan in the budget proposals for 2015, the Obama administration on Tuesday said Washington eyed a long-term partnership with Kabul post-2014.
Submitting the $3.9 trillion budget package to the Congress, Obama said his administration was serious about the zero option in the absence of a signed bilateral security agreement between Washington and Kabul, Pajhwok correspondent in Washington reported.
The budget includes $46.2 billion to fund the State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID). US assistance for other countries, including Pakistan, comes from this fund.
The $1bn sought for Pakistan includes $280 million for supporting Pakistani security forces. The Obama administration is seeking $2.6bn for operations in Afghanistan and $1.5bn for Iraq, including $250m to support the Iraqi military.
The White House described in the document “responsible transition” from “military missions to political and security support for a unified Afghanistan government” as one of the administration’s main goals in 2015.
In its budget note, the White House says that it wants the Afghan government to take “full responsibility for its own future” as the US withdraws.
The war-funding measure is being delayed because the Afghan government has not signed the bilateral security pact.
In the proposals, the White House says the funds for Afghanistan include resources to maintain a strong, long-term partnership by supporting military training and assistance.
The Afghan programmes include economic development, health, education, governance, security, and other civilian assistance necessary to reinforce development progress and promote stability.
The White House says American and coalition forces will continue to train and sustain Afghan forces after 2014.
The US will work collaboratively with Afghan forces to target Al-Qaeda and other entities that threaten the safety and security of the US and its allies.
Proposing $1.107 billion in civilian aid to Afghanistan, the State Department argued it was necessary for the continued security and economic transitions in the country.
The department believed the Afghan transitions were the most critical phase of solidifying the progress made over the last decade and helping establish Afghanistan as a stable, prosperous, secure nation in a stable prosperous, secure region.
“Fiscal Year 2015 assistance will focus on promoting economic growth by investing in viable sectors including agriculture and extractives, improved governance, a better system of justice, and alternatives to the illicit production of narcotics.”
The assistance funds will help preserve gains in Afghanistan and the United States has been working in coordination with other major donors to create incentives for government enactment and implementation of reforms including respect for the rights of women and minorities, improved governance, anti-corruption efforts and improved legislation to support private investment.
Another request of $325 million for Afghanistan includes a full year of operations for the interdiction, justice, corrections, and various support programmes in Afghanistan.
The State Department has proposed $117.6 million to support a new Afghan government that will be elected in the April elections.
It has also proposed $473.0 million for Worldwide Security Protection for Afghanistan; an increase of $88.8 million above the FY 2014 level.
This increase includes costs for general support operation expenses, equipment for the Tactical Operations Center, physical and technical security equipment such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and regional security-related costs, the State Department said.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Obama seeks $2.6b for Afghanistan in 2015 budget
Seeking more than $2.6 billion for the programme in Afghanistan in the budget proposals for 2015, the Obama administration on Tuesday said Washington eyed a long-term partnership with Kabul post-2014.
Submitting the $3.9 trillion budget package to the Congress, Obama said his administration was serious about the zero option in the absence of a signed bilateral security agreement between Washington and Kabul, Pajhwok correspondent in Washington reported.
The budget includes $46.2 billion to fund the State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID). US assistance for other countries, including Pakistan, comes from this fund.
The $1bn sought for Pakistan includes $280 million for supporting Pakistani security forces. The Obama administration is seeking $2.6bn for operations in Afghanistan and $1.5bn for Iraq, including $250m to support the Iraqi military.
The White House described in the document “responsible transition” from “military missions to political and security support for a unified Afghanistan government” as one of the administration’s main goals in 2015.
In its budget note, the White House says that it wants the Afghan government to take “full responsibility for its own future” as the US withdraws.
The war-funding measure is being delayed because the Afghan government has not signed the bilateral security pact.
In the proposals, the White House says the funds for Afghanistan include resources to maintain a strong, long-term partnership by supporting military training and assistance.
The Afghan programmes include economic development, health, education, governance, security, and other civilian assistance necessary to reinforce development progress and promote stability.
The White House says American and coalition forces will continue to train and sustain Afghan forces after 2014.
The US will work collaboratively with Afghan forces to target Al-Qaeda and other entities that threaten the safety and security of the US and its allies.
Proposing $1.107 billion in civilian aid to Afghanistan, the State Department argued it was necessary for the continued security and economic transitions in the country.
The department believed the Afghan transitions were the most critical phase of solidifying the progress made over the last decade and helping establish Afghanistan as a stable, prosperous, secure nation in a stable prosperous, secure region.
“Fiscal Year 2015 assistance will focus on promoting economic growth by investing in viable sectors including agriculture and extractives, improved governance, a better system of justice, and alternatives to the illicit production of narcotics.”
The assistance funds will help preserve gains in Afghanistan and the United States has been working in coordination with other major donors to create incentives for government enactment and implementation of reforms including respect for the rights of women and minorities, improved governance, anti-corruption efforts and improved legislation to support private investment.
Another request of $325 million for Afghanistan includes a full year of operations for the interdiction, justice, corrections, and various support programmes in Afghanistan.
The State Department has proposed $117.6 million to support a new Afghan government that will be elected in the April elections.
It has also proposed $473.0 million for Worldwide Security Protection for Afghanistan; an increase of $88.8 million above the FY 2014 level.
This increase includes costs for general support operation expenses, equipment for the Tactical Operations Center, physical and technical security equipment such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and regional security-related costs, the State Department said.
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