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Resolution to stop aid moved in US Congress
 [Dawn] US politicians are continuing their assault on Pakistain here and quietly moved a resolution in Congress, asking for cutting all but nuclear-safety assistance to the country.Tell us again how much you don't like us, you rat bastards. The move contrasts sharply with recent efforts by US and Pak governments aimed at reducing tensions over Islamabad's alleged links to the Haqqani network of hard boys. On Monday evening, US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistain, Marc Grossman, spoke with Ambassador Husain Haqqani and conveyed Washington's desire to deescalate tensions. Mr Grossman is believed to have told the ambassador that "the US considers Pakistain an ally and despite challenges and disagreements will continue to work with the country's democratic leadership". Also on Monday, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh met US Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides and both agreed to resolve the dispute through "diplomatic means", official sources said. "Mr Nides agreed that current adversarial heights and the war of words need to be reduced," said a diplomatic source. In another move aimed at de-escalation, Mr Grossman and Ambassador Haqqani plan to address a joint news conference on Wednesday and talk about the efforts both sides have so far made to overcome the crisis. But temperatures remain high in both chambers of the US Congress where politicians continue to attack Pakistain, with some even suggesting that Washington should now encourage India to take a higher profile in Afghanistan. The current crisis in bilateral relations began last week after scathing remarks by Admiral Mike Mullen, outgoing Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who spoke openly of the links between Pakistain's Inter-Services Intelligence and the Haqqani network. Soon after the admiral's statement, Congressman Ted Poe, a Republican from Texas, tabled H. R. 3013, also known as the Pakistain Accountability Act, a piece of legislation which, if passed by Congress, will freeze all US aid to Pakistain with the exception of funds that are designated to help secure nuclear weapons. Posted by: Fred 2011-09-29 |
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