S. 1707
One Hundred Eleventh Congress of the
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of
An Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to promote an enhanced strategic partnership with
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009.’
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Findings.
Sec. 4. Statement of principles.
TITLE I—DEMOCRATIC, ECONOMIC, AND DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FOR
Sec. 101. Authorization of assistance.
Sec. 102. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 103. Auditing.
TITLE II—SECURITY ASSISTANCE FOR
Sec. 201. Purposes of assistance.
Sec. 202. Authorization of assistance.
Sec. 203. Limitations on certain assistance.
Sec. 204.
Sec. 205. Requirements for civilian control of certain assistance.
TITLE III—STRATEGY, ACCOUNTABILITY, MONITORING, AND OTHER
PROVISIONS
Sec. 301. Strategy Reports.
Sec. 302. Monitoring Reports.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means the Committees on Appropriations
and Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(2) COUNTERINSURGENCY.—The term ‘counterinsurgency’ means efforts to defeat organized movements that seek to overthrow the duly constituted Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan through violent means.
(3) COUNTERTERRORISM.—The term ‘counterterrorism’ means efforts to combat al Qaeda and other foreign terrorist
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organizations that are designated by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 USC. 1189), or other individuals and entities
engaged in terrorist activity or support for such activity.
(4) FATA.—The term ‘FATA’ means the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan.
(5) FRONTIER CRIMES REGULATION.—The term ‘Frontier Crimes Regulation’ means the Frontier Crimes Regulation, codified under British law in 1901, and applicable to the FATA.
(6) IMPACT EVALUATION RESEARCH.—The term ‘impact evaluation research’ means the application of research methods and statistical analysis to measure the extent to which change in a population-based outcome can be attributed to program intervention instead of other environmental factors.
(7) MAJOR DEFENSE EQUIPMENT.—The term ‘major defense equipment’ has the meaning given the term in section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC. 2794(6)).
(8) NWFP.—The term ‘NWFP’ means the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, which has
(9) OPERATIONS RESEARCH.—The term ‘operations research’ means the application of social science research methods, statistical analysis, and other appropriate scientific methods to judge, compare, and improve policies and program outcomes, from the earliest stages of defining and designing programs through their development and implementation, with the objective of the rapid dissemination of conclusions and concrete impact on programming.
(10) SECURITY FORCES OF PAKISTAN.—The term ‘security forces of Pakistan’ means the military and intelligence services of the Government of Pakistan, including the Armed Forces, Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate, Intelligence Bureau, police forces, levies, Frontier Corps, and Frontier Constabulary.
(11) SECURITY-RELATED ASSISTANCE.—The term ‘security related assistance’—
(A) means—
(i) grant assistance to carry out section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC. 2763); and (ii) assistance under chapter two of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 USC. 2311 et. seq); but
(B) does not include—
(i) assistance authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available under any provision of law that is funded from accounts within budget function 050 (National Defense); and (ii) amounts appropriated or otherwise available to the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund established under the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111–32).
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the United States share a long history of friendship and comity, and the interests of both nations are well-served by strengthening and deepening this friendship.
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(2) Since 2001, the
(3) With the free and fair election of February 18, 2008, Pakistan returned to civilian rule, reversing years of political tension and mounting popular concern over military rule and Pakistan’s own democratic reform and political development.
(4)
(5) The struggle against al Qaeda, the Taliban, and affiliated terrorist groups has led to the deaths of several thousand Pakistani civilians and members of the security forces of
(6) Despite killing or capturing hundreds of al Qaeda operatives and other terrorists—including major al Qaeda leaders, such as Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, and Abu Faraj al-Libi—the FATA, parts of the NWFP, Quetta in Balochistan, and Muridke in Punjab remain a sanctuary for al Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban, the Terikh-e Taliban and affiliated groups from which these groups organize terrorist actions against Pakistan and other countries.
(7) The security forces of
(8) On March 27, 2009, President Obama noted, ‘Multiple intelligence estimates have warned that al Qaeda is actively planning attacks on the
(9) According to a Government Accountability Office report (GAO–08–622), ‘since 2003, the [A]dministration’s national security strategies and Congress have recognized that a comprehensive plan that includes all elements of national power— diplomatic, military, intelligence, development assistance, economic, and law enforcement support—was needed to address the terrorist threat emanating from the FATA’ and that such a strategy was also mandated by section 7102(b)(3) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–458; 22 USC. 2656f note) and section 2042(b)(2) of the Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–53; 22 USC. 2375 note).
(10) During 2008 and 2009, the people of Pakistan have been especially hard hit by rising food and commodity prices and severe energy shortages, with 2⁄3 of the population living on less than $2 a day and 1⁄5 of the population living below the poverty line according to the United Nations Development Program.
(11) Economic growth is a fundamental foundation for human security and national stability in
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(12) The 2009 Pakistani military offensive in the NWFP and the FATA displaced millions of residents in one of the gravest humanitarian crises Pakistan has faced, and despite the heroic efforts of Pakistanis to respond to the needs of the displaced millions and facilitate the return of many, it has highlighted the need for Pakistan to develop an effective national counterinsurgency strategy.
SEC. 4. STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES.
Congress declares that the relationship between the
(1) Pakistan is a critical friend and ally to the United States, both in times of strife and in times of peace, andthe two countries share many common goals, including combating terrorism and violent radicalism, solidifying democracy and rule of law in Pakistan, and promoting the social and economic development of Pakistan.
(2)
(3) The
(4) The
(5) The
(A) to build mutual trust and confidence by actively and consistently pursuing a sustained, long-term, multifaceted relationship between the two countries, devoted to strengthening the mutual security, stability, and prosperity of both countries;
(B) to support the people of Pakistan and their democratic government in their efforts to consolidate democracy, including strengthening Pakistan’s parliament, helping Pakistan reestablish an independent and transparent judicial system, and working to extend the rule of law in all areas in Pakistan;
(C) to promote sustainable long-term development and infrastructure projects, including in healthcare, education, water management, and energy programs, in all areas of Pakistan, that are sustained and supported by each successive democratic government in Pakistan;
(D) to ensure that all the people of Pakistan, including those living in areas governed by the Frontier Crimes Regulation, have access to public, modernized education and vocational training to enable them to provide for themselves, for their families, and for a more prosperous future for their children;
(E) to support the strengthening of core curricula and the quality of schools across Pakistan, including madrassas, in order to improve the prospects for Pakistani children’s futures and eliminate incitements to violence and intolerance;
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(F) to encourage and promote public-private partnerships in Pakistan in order to bolster ongoing development efforts and strengthen economic prospects, especially with respect to opportunities to build civic responsibility and professional skills of the people of Pakistan, including support for institutions of higher learning with international accreditation;
(G) to expand people-to-people engagement between the two countries, through increased educational, technical, and cultural exchanges and other methods;
(H) to encourage the development of local analytical capacity to measure program effectiveness and progress on an integrated basis, especially across the areas of United States assistance and payments to Pakistan, and increase accountability for how such assistance and payments are being spent;
(I) to assist Pakistan’s efforts to improve counterterrorism financing and anti-money laundering regulatory structure in order to achieve international standards and encourage Pakistan to apply for ‘Financial Action Task Force’ observer status and adhere to the United Nations International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism;
(J) to strengthen
(K) to strengthen
(L) to achieve full cooperation in matters of counter proliferation of nuclear materials and related networks;
(M) to strengthen Pakistan’s efforts to gain control of its under-governed areas and address the threat posed by any person or group that conducts violence, sabotage, or other terrorist activities in Pakistan or its neighboring countries; and
(N) to explore means to consult with and utilize the relevant expertise and skills of the Pakistani-American community.
TITLE I—DEMOCRATIC, ECONOMIC, AND DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FOR
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The President is authorized to provide assistance to
(1) to support the consolidation of democratic institutions;
(2) to support the expansion of rule of law, build the capacity of government institutions, and promote respect for internationally-recognized human rights;
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(3) to promote economic freedoms and sustainable economic development;
(4) to support investment in people, including those displaced in on-going counterinsurgency operations; and
(5) to strengthen public diplomacy.
(b) ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED.—Activities that may be supported by assistance under subsection (a) include the following:
(1) To support democratic institutions in
(A) support for efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s institutions, including the capacity of the National Parliament of Pakistan, such as enhancing the capacity of committees to oversee government activities, including national security issues, enhancing the ability of members of parliament to respond to constituents, and supporting of parliamentary leadership;
(B) support for voter education and civil society training as well as appropriate support for political party capacity building and responsiveness to the needs of all the people of Pakistan; and
(C) support for strengthening the capacity of the civilian Government of Pakistan to carry out its responsibilities at the national, provincial, and local levels.
(2) To support
(A) supporting the establishment of frameworks that promote government transparency and criminalize corruption in both the government and private sector;
(B) support for police professionalization, including training regarding use of force, human rights, and community policing;
(C) support for independent, efficient, and effective judicial and criminal justice systems, such as case management, training, and efforts to enhance the rule of law to all areas in
(D) support for the implementation of legal and political reforms in the FATA;
(E) support to counter the narcotics trade;
(F) support for internationally recognized human rights, including strengthening civil society and nongovernmental organizations working in the area of internationally recognized human rights, as well as organizations that focus on protection of women and girls, promotion of freedom of religion and religious tolerance, and protection of ethnic or religious minorities; and
(G) support for promotion of a responsible, capable, and independent media.
(3) To support economic freedom and economic development in
(A) programs that support sustainable economic growth, including in rural areas, and the sustainable management of natural resources through investments in water resource management systems;
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(B) expansion of agricultural and rural development, such as farm-to-market roads, systems to prevent spoilage and waste, and other small-scale infrastructure improvements;
(C) investments in energy, including energy generation and cross-border infrastructure projects with
(D) employment generation, including increasing investment in infrastructure projects, including construction of roads and the continued development of a national aviation industry and aviation infrastructure, as well as support for small and medium enterprises;
(E) worker rights, including the right to form labor unions and legally enforce provisions safeguarding the rights of workers and local community stakeholders;
(F) access to microfinance for small business establishment and income generation, particularly for women; and
(G) countering radicalization by providing economic, social, educational, and vocational opportunities and lifeskills training to at-risk youth.
(4) To support investments in people, particularly women and children, including—
(A) promoting modern, public primary and secondary education and vocational and technical training, including programs to assist in the development of modern, nationwide school curriculums for public, private, and religious schools; support for the proper oversight of all educational institutions, including religious schools, as required by Pakistani law; initiatives to enhance access to education and vocational and technical training for women and girls and to increase women’s literacy, with a special emphasis on helping girls stay in school; and construction and maintenance of libraries and public schools;
(B) programs relating to higher education to ensure a breadth and consistency of Pakistani graduates, including through public-private partnerships;
(C) improving quality public health to eliminate diseases such as hepatitis and to reduce maternal and under five mortality rates;
(D) building capacity for nongovernmental and civil society organizations, particularly organizations with demonstrated experience in delivering services to the people of Pakistan, particularly to women, children, and other vulnerable populations; and
(E) support for refugees and internally displaced persons and long-term development in regions of
(5) To strengthen public diplomacy to combat militant extremism and promote a better understanding of the
(A) encouraging civil society, respected scholars, and other leaders to speak out against militancy and violence;
and
(B) expanded exchange activities under the Fulbright Program, the International Visitor Leadership Program, the Youth Exchange and Study Program, and related programs administered by the Department of State designed to promote mutual understanding and interfaith dialogue and expand sister institution programs between
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(c) ADDITIONAL AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.—
(1) AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS FOR PAKISTANI POLICE PROFESSIONALIZATION, EQUIPPING, AND TRAINING.—Not less than $150,000,000 of the amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2010 pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under section 102 should be made available for assistance to Pakistan under this section for police professionalization, equipping, and training.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Up to $10,000,000 of the amounts appropriated for each fiscal year pursuant to the authorization of appropriations
under section 102 may be made available for administrative expenses of civilian departments and agencies of the United States Government in connection with the provision of assistance under this section. Such amounts shall be in addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes.
(3) UTILIZING PAKISTANI ORGANIZATIONS.—The President is encouraged, as appropriate, to utilize Pakistani firms and community and local nongovernmental organizations in Pakistan, including through host country contracts, and to work with local leaders to provide assistance under this section.
(4) USE OF DIRECT EXPENDITURES.—Amounts appropriated for each fiscal year pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under section 102 or otherwise made available to carry out this section shall be utilized to the maximum extent possible as direct expenditures for projects and programs, subject to existing reporting and notification requirements.
(5) CHIEF OF MISSION FUND.—Of the amounts appropriated for each fiscal year pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under section 102, up to $5,000,000 may be used by the Secretary of State to establish a fund for use by the Chief of Mission in Pakistan to provide assistance to Pakistan under this title or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 USC. 2151 et seq.) to address urgent needs or opportunities, consistent with the purposes of this section, or for purposes of humanitarian relief. The fund established pursuant to this paragraph may be referred to as the ‘Chief of Mission Fund.’
(6) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that—
(A) the United States should provide robust assistance to the people of Pakistan who have been displaced as a result of ongoing conflict and violence in Pakistan and support international efforts to coordinate assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons in Pakistan, including by providing support to international and nongovernmental organizations for this purpose;
(B) the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development should support the development objectives of the Refugee Affected and Host Areas (RAHA) Initiative in Pakistan to address livelihoods, health, education, infrastructure development, and environmental restoration in identified parts of the country where Afghan refugees have lived; and
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(C) the
(d) NOTIFICATION.—For fiscal years 2010 through 2014, the President shall notify the appropriate congressional committees not later than 15 days before obligating any assistance under this section as budgetary support to the Government of Pakistan or any element of the Government of Pakistan and shall include in such notification a description of the purpose and conditions attached to any such budgetary support.
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the President, for the purposes of providing assistance to Pakistan under this title and to provide assistance to Pakistan under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 USC. 2151 et seq.), up to $1,500,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
(b) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the amounts appropriated in each fiscal year pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection (a)—
(A) none of the amounts appropriated for assistance to Pakistan may be made available after the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act unless the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report has been submitted to the appropriate congressional committees pursuant to section 301(a); and
(B) not more than $750,000,000 may be made available for assistance to
(i) a certification that assistance provided to Pakistan under this title or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to date has made or is making reasonable progress toward achieving the principal objectives of United States assistance to Pakistan contained in the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report; and (ii) a memorandum explaining the reasons justifying the certification described in clause (i).
(2) MAKER OF CERTIFICATION.—In the event of a vacancy in, or the termination of, the position of the President’s Special Representative to
and memorandum described under paragraph (1)(B) may be made by the Secretary of State.
(c) WAIVER.—The Secretary of State may waive the limitations in subsection (b) if the Secretary determines, and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees, that it is in the national security interests of the
(d) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FUNDS.— It is the sense of Congress that, subject to an improving political and economic climate in Pakistan, there should be authorized to be appropriated up to $1,500,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2015 through 2019 for the purpose of providing assistance to Pakistan under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
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SEC. 103. AUDITING.
(a) ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED.—The Inspector General of the Department of State, the Inspector General of the United States Agency for International Development, and the inspectors general of other Federal departments and agencies (other than the Inspector General of the Department of Defense) carrying out programs, projects, and activities using amounts appropriated to carry out this title shall audit, investigate, and oversee the obligation and expenditure of such amounts.
(b) AUTHORIZATION FOR IN-COUNTRY PRESENCE.—The Inspector General of the Department of State and the Inspector General of the United States Agency for International Development, after consultation with the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, are authorized to establish field offices in Pakistan with sufficient staff from each of the Offices of the Inspector General, respectively, to carry out subsection (a).
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 102 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014, up to $30,000,000 for each fiscal year is authorized to be made available to carry out this section.
(2) RELATION TO OTHER AVAILABLE FUNDS.—Amounts made available under paragraph (1) are in addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes.
TITLE II—SECURITY ASSISTANCE FOR
SEC. 201. PURPOSES OF ASSISTANCE.
The purposes of assistance under this title are—
(1) to support
(2) to work with the Government of Pakistan to improve Pakistan’s border security and control and help prevent any Pakistani territory from being used as a base or conduit for terrorist attacks in Pakistan, or elsewhere;
(3) to work in close cooperation with the Government of Pakistan to coordinate action against extremist and terrorist targets; and
(4) to help strengthen the institutions of democratic governance and promote control of military institutions by a democratically elected civilian government.
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE.
(a) INTERNATIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014 for assistance under chapter five of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 USC. 2347 et seq.; relating to international military education and training) for Pakistan, including expanded international military education and training (commonly known as ‘E–IMET’).
(2) USE OF FUNDS.—It is the sense of Congress that a substantial amount of funds made available to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year should be used to pay for courses of study and training in counterinsurgency and civil-military relations.
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(b) FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014 for grant assistance under section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC. 2763; relating to the Foreign Military Financing program) for the purchase of defense articles, defense services, and military education and training for Pakistan.
(2) USE OF FUNDS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—A significant portion of the amount made available to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year shall be for the purchase of defense articles, defense services, and military education and training for activities relating to counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations in
(B) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that a significant majority of funds made available to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year should be used for the purpose described in subparagraph (A).
(3) ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY.—Except as provided in sections three and 102 of the Arms Export Control Act, the second section 620J of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as added by Public Law 110–161), and any provision of an Act making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs that restricts assistance to the government of any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree, and except as otherwise provided in this title, amounts authorized to be made available to carry out paragraph (2) for fiscal years 2010 and 2011 are authorized to be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(4) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘defense articles,’ ‘defense services,’ and ‘military education and training’ have the meaning given such terms in section 644 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 USC. 2403).
(c) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that the
(d) EXCHANGE PROGRAM BETWEEN MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL OF
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State is authorized to establish an exchange program between—
(A) military and civilian personnel of
(B)(i) military and civilian personnel of countries determined by the Secretary of State to be in the process of consolidating and strengthening a democratic form of government; or (ii) military and civilian personnel of North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries, in order to foster greater mutual respect for and understanding of the principle of civilian rule of the military.
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(2) ELEMENTS OF PROGRAM.—The program authorized under paragraph (1) may include conferences, seminars, exchanges, and other events, distribution of publications and reimbursements of expenses of foreign military personnel participating in the program, including transportation, translation and administrative expenses.
(3) ROLE OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS.—Amounts authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year are authorized to be made available for nongovernmental organizations to facilitate the implementation of the program authorized under paragraph (1).
(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to carry out the program established by this subsection.
SEC. 203. LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN ASSISTANCE.
(a) LIMITATION ON SECURITY-RELATED ASSISTANCE.—For fiscal years 2011 through 2014, no security-related assistance may be provided to
(b) LIMITATION ON ARMS TRANSFERS.—For fiscal years 2012 through 2014, no letter of offer to sell major defense equipment to Pakistan may be issued pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC. 2751 et seq.) and no license to export major defense equipment to Pakistan may be issued pursuant to such Act in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, makes the certification required under subsection
(c) for such fiscal year.
(c) CERTIFICATION.—The certification required by this subsection is a certification by the Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, to the appropriate congressional committees that—
(1) the Government of Pakistan is continuing to cooperate with the United States in efforts to dismantle supplier networks relating to the acquisition of nuclear weapons-related materials, such as providing relevant information from or direct access to Pakistani nationals associated with such networks;
(2) the Government of
(A) ceasing support, including by any elements within the Pakistan military or its intelligence agency, to extremist and terrorist groups, particularly to any group that has conducted attacks against United States or coalition forces in Afghanistan, or against the territory or people of neighboring countries;
(B) preventing al Qaeda, the Taliban and associated terrorist groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, from operating in the
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terrorist bases of operations in other parts of the country, including
(C) strengthening counterterrorism and anti-money laundering laws; and
(3) the security forces of
(d) CERTAIN PAYMENTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), none of the funds appropriated for security-related assistance for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, or any amounts appropriated to the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund established under the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111–32), may be obligated or expended to make payments relating to—
(A) the Letter of Offer and Acceptance PK–D–YAD signed between the Governments of the
(B) the Letter of Offer and Acceptance PK–D–NAP signed between the Governments of the United States of America and Pakistan on September 30, 2006; and
(C) the Letter of Offer and Acceptance PK–D–SAF signed between the Governments of the
(2) EXCEPTION.—Funds appropriated for security-related assistance for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 may be used for construction and related activities carried out pursuant to the Letters of Offer and Acceptance described in paragraph (1).
(e) WAIVER.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, may waive the limitations contained in subsections (a), (b), and (d) for a fiscal year if the Secretary of State determines that is important to the national security interests of the
(2) PRIOR NOTICE OF WAIVER.—The Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, may not exercise the authority of paragraph (1) until seven days after the Secretary of State provides to the appropriate congressional committees a written notice of the intent to issue to waiver and the reasons therefor. The notice may be submitted in classified or unclassified form, as necessary.
(f) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means—
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
SEC. 204.
(a) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010.—
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(1) IN GENERAL.—For fiscal year 2010, the Department of State’s Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund established under the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111–32), hereinafter in this section referred to as the ‘Fund,’ shall consist of the following:
(A) Amounts appropriated to carry out this subsection (which may not include any amounts appropriated to carry out title I of this Act).
(B) Amounts otherwise available to the Secretary of State to carry out this subsection.
(2) PURPOSES OF FUND.—Amounts in the Fund made available to carry out this subsection for any fiscal year are authorized to be used by the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Defense, to build and maintain the counterinsurgency capability of Pakistan under the same terms and conditions (except as otherwise provided in this subsection) that are applicable to amounts made available under the Fund for fiscal year 2009.
(3) TRANSFER AUTHORITY.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State is authorized to transfer amounts in the Fund made available to carry out this subsection for any fiscal year to the Department of Defense’s Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund established under the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111–32) and such amounts may be transferred back to the Fund if the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, determines that such amounts are not needed for the purposes for which initially transferred.
(B) TREATMENT OF TRANSFERRED FUNDS.—Subject to subsections (d) and (e) of section 203, transfers from the Fund under the authority of subparagraph (A) shall be merged with and be available for the same purposes and for the same time period as amounts in the Department of Defense’s Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund.
(C) RELATION TO OTHER AUTHORITIES.—The authority to provide assistance under this subsection is in addition to any other authority to provide assistance to foreign countries.
(D) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary of State shall, not less than 15 days prior to making transfers from the Fund under subparagraph (A), notify the appropriate congressional committees in writing of the details of any such transfer.
(b) SUBMISSION OF NOTIFICATIONS.—Any notification required by this section may be submitted in classified or unclassified form, as necessary.
(c) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means—
(1) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
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SEC. 205. REQUIREMENTS FOR CIVILIAN CONTROL OF CERTAIN
ASSISTANCE.
(a) REQUIREMENTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—For fiscal years 2010 through 2014, any direct cash security-related assistance or non-assistance payments by the
(2) DOCUMENTATION.—For fiscal years 2010 through 2014, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall ensure that civilian authorities of a civilian government of
(b) WAIVER.—
(1) SECURITY-RELATED ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, may waive the requirements of subsection (a) with respect to security-related assistance described in subsection (a) funded from accounts within budget function 150 (International Affairs) if the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the waiver is important to the national security interest of the United States.
(2) NON-ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS.—The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may waive the requirements of subsection (a) with respect to non-assistance payments described in subsection (a) funded from accounts within budget function 050 (National Defense) if the Secretary of Defense certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the waiver is important to the national security interest of the United States.
(c) APPLICATION TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES.—Nothing in this section shall apply with respect to—
(1) any activities subject to reporting requirements under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 USC. 413 et seq.);
(2) any assistance to promote democratic elections or public participation in democratic processes;
(3) any assistance or payments if the Secretary of State determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that subsequent to the termination of assistance or payments a democratically elected government has taken office;
(4) any assistance or payments made pursuant to section 1208 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108–375; 118 Stat. 2086), as amended;
(5) any payments made pursuant to the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement between the Department of Defense of the United States of America and the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and
(6) any assistance or payments made pursuant to section 943 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110–417; 122 Stat. 4578).
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(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section—
(1) the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Foreign Relations
of the Senate; and
(2) the term ‘civilian government of
TITLE III—STRATEGY, ACCOUNTABILITY, MONITORING, AND OTHER PROVISIONS
SEC. 301. STRATEGY REPORTS.
(a) PAKISTAN ASSISTANCE STRATEGY REPORT.—Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing United States policy and strategy with respect to assistance to Pakistan under this Act. The report shall include the following:
(1) A description of the principal objectives of
(2) A general description of the specific programs, projects, and activities designed to achieve the purposes of section 101 and the respective funding levels for such programs, projects, and activities for fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
(3) A plan for program monitoring, operations research, and impact evaluation research for assistance authorized under title I of this Act.
(4) A description of the role to be played by Pakistani national, regional, and local officials and members of Pakistani civil society and local private sector, civic, religious, and tribal leaders in helping to identify and implement programs and projects for which assistance is to be provided under this Act, and of consultations with such representatives in developing the strategy.
(5) A description of the steps taken, or to be taken, to ensure assistance provided under this Act is not awarded to individuals or entities affiliated with terrorist organizations.
(6) A projection of the levels of assistance to be provided to Pakistan under this Act, broken down into the following categories as described in the annual ‘Report on the Criteria and Methodology for Determining the Eligibility of Candidate Countries for Millennium Challenge Account Assistance’:
(A) Civil liberties.
(B) Political rights.
(C) Voice and accountability.
(D) Government effectiveness.
(E) Rule of law.
(F) Control of corruption.
(G) Immunization rates.
(H) Public expenditure on health.
(I) Girls’ primary education completion rate.
(J) Public expenditure on primary education.
(K) Natural resource management.
(L) Business start-up.
(M) Land rights and access.
(N) Trade policy.
(O) Regulatory quality.
(P) Inflation control.
(Q) Fiscal policy.
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(7) An analysis for the suitable replacement for existing Pakistani helicopters, including recommendations for sustainment and training.
(b) COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL STRATEGY REPORT.—
(1) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that the achievement of United States national security goals to eliminate terrorist threats and close safe havens in Pakistan requires the development of a comprehensive plan that utilizes all elements of national power, including in coordination and cooperation with other concerned governments, and that it is critical to Pakistan’s long-term prosperity and security to strengthen regional relationships among India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
(2) COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY.—The President shall develop a comprehensive interagency regional security strategy to eliminate terrorist threats and close safe havens in Pakistan, including by working with the Government of Pakistan and other relevant governments and organizations in the region and elsewhere, as appropriate, to best implement effective counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts in and near the border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, including the FATA, the NWFP, parts of Balochistan, and parts of Punjab.
(3) REPORT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the comprehensive regional security strategy required under paragraph (2).
(B) CONTENTS.— The report shall include a copy of the comprehensive regional security strategy, including specifications of goals, and proposed timelines and budgets for implementation of the strategy.
(C) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.—In this paragraph, the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means—
(i) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and
(ii) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
(c) SECURITY-RELATED ASSISTANCE PLAN.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for the proposed use of amounts authorized for security related assistance for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014. Such plan shall include an assessment of how the use of such amounts complements or otherwise is related to amounts described in section 204.
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SEC. 302. MONITORING REPORTS.
(a) SEMI-ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the submission of the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report pursuant to section 301(a), and every 180 days thereafter through September 30, 2014, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that describes the assistance provided under this Act during the preceding 180-day period. The report shall include—
(1) a description of all assistance by program, project, and activity, as well as by geographic area, provided pursuant to title I of this Act during the period covered by the report, including the amount of assistance provided for each program or project, and with respect to the first report a description of all amounts made available for assistance to Pakistan during fiscal year 2009, including a description of each program, project, and activity for which funds were made available;
(2) a list of persons or entities from the United States or other countries that have received funds in excess of $100,000 to conduct projects under title I of this Act during the period covered by the report, which may be included in a classified annex, if necessary to avoid a security risk, and a justification for the classification;
(3) with respect to the plan described in section 301(a)(3), updates to such plan and a description of best practices to improve the impact of the assistance authorized under title I of this Act;
(4) an assessment of the effectiveness of assistance provided under title I of this Act during the period covered by the report in achieving desired objectives and outcomes as guided by the plan described in section 301(a)(3), and as updated pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection, including a systematic, qualitative, and where possible, quantitative basis for assessing whether desired outcomes are achieved and a timeline for completion of each project and program;
(5) a description of any shortfall in United States financial, physical, technical, or human resources that hinder the effective use and monitoring of such funds;
(6) a description of any negative impact, including the absorptive capacity of the region for which the resources are intended, of United States bilateral or multilateral assistance and recommendations for modification of funding, if any;
(7) any incidents or reports of waste, fraud, and abuse of expenditures under title I of this Act;
(8) the amount of funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section 102 that were used during the reporting period for administrative expenses or for audits and program reviews pursuant to the authority under sections 101(c)(2) and 103;
(9) a description of the expenditures made from any Chief of Mission Fund established pursuant to section 101(c)(5) during the period covered by the report, the purposes for which such expenditures were made, and a list of the recipients of any expenditures from the Chief of Mission Fund in excess of $100,000;
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(10) an accounting of assistance provided to Pakistan under title I of this Act, broken down into the categories set forth in section 301(a)(6);
(11) an evaluation of efforts undertaken by the Government of Pakistan to—
(A) disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other extremist and terrorist groups in the FATA and settled areas;
(B) eliminate the safe havens of such forces in
(C) close terrorist camps, including those of Lashkare- Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed;
(D) cease all support for extremist and terrorist groups;
(E) prevent attacks into neighboring countries;
(F) increase oversight over curriculum in madrassas, including closing madrassas with direct links to the Taliban or other extremist and terrorist groups; and
(G) improve counterterrorism financing and anti-money laundering laws, apply for observer status for the Financial Action Task Force, and take steps to adhere to the United Nations International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism;
(12) a detailed description of
(13) an assessment of whether assistance provided to Pakistan has directly or indirectly aided the expansion of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program, whether by the diversion of United States assistance or the reallocation of Pakistan’s financial resources that would otherwise be spent for programs and activities unrelated to its nuclear weapons program;
(14) a detailed description of the extent to which funds obligated and expended pursuant to section 202(b) meet the requirements of such section; and
(15) an assessment of the extent to which the Government of Pakistan exercises effective civilian control of the military, including a description of the extent to which civilian executive leaders and parliament exercise oversight and approval of military budgets, the chain of command, the process of promotion for senior military leaders, civilian involvement in strategic guidance and planning, and military involvement in civil administration.
(b) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORTS.—
(1) PAKISTAN ASSISTANCE STRATEGY REPORT.— Not later than one year after the submission of the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report pursuant to section 301(a), the Comptroller General of the
(A) a review of, and comments addressing, the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report;
(B) recommendations relating to any additional actions the Comptroller General believes could help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
(C) a detailed description of the expenditures made by
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23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC. 2763; relating to the Foreign Military Financing program); and
(D) an assessment of the impact of the assistance on the security and stability of
(2) CERTIFICATION REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date on which the President makes the certification described in section 203(c) for a fiscal year, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an independent analysis of the certification described in such section and shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing the results of the independent analysis.
(c) SUBMISSION.—The Secretary of State may submit the reports required by this section in conjunction with other reports relating to Pakistan required under other provisions of law, including sections 1116 and 1117 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111–32; 123 Stat. 1906 and 1907).
(d) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means—
(1) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the
President of the Senate. (Dawn, 14 Oct 2009)
....
WASHINGTON: The requirement for an effective civilian control over promotions and strategic planning in the Pakistani military is not mentioned in a new joint explanatory statement of the US Congress issued on Wednesday.
‘There is no intent to, and nothing in this act in any way suggests that there should be, any US role in micromanaging internal Pakistani affairs, including the promotion of Pakistani military officers or the internal operations of the Pakistani military,’ said an explanatory note attached to the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009.
The explanatory note also dilutes the requirement that needed Pakistan to interrogate any Pakistani national involved in nuclear proliferation and to allow US officials access to such a person.
A new clause included in the explanatory note now ‘reflects our understanding that cooperative effort currently being undertaken by the governments of Pakistan and the United States to combat proliferation will continue.’
Section 302 of the act Congress passed late last month required the Secretary of State to submit annual reports to appropriate congressional committees to justify the continuation of security and military assistance to Pakistan. A failure to issue such a report could cause the aid to be discontinued.
There’s no such requirement for economic assistance. The secretary’s report shall include an assessment of the extent to which the Pakistan government exercises effective civilian control of the military.
This report should also include ‘a description of the extent to which civilian executive leaders and parliament exercise oversight and approval of military budgets, the chain of command, the process of promotion for senior military leaders, civilian involvement in strategic guidance and planning, and military involvement in civil administration,’ said the original document.
Pakistani diplomats, however, explained to the media on Wednesday that while the above clause could not be deleted from the bill, the explanatory statement would make it ineffective. The administration will no longer be asked to issue such a report.
Missing from the explanatory note are words like ‘civilian executive leaders and parliament’ exercising the power of ‘oversight and approval’ and the requirement that the military will not get involved in civil administration.
The explanatory note also states that even the remaining requirement can be ‘waived if the determination is made by the Secretary of State in the interest of (US) national security that this was necessary to continue’ military assistance to Pakistan.
Interestingly, the requirement for ‘effective civilian control’ over the military was also absent from the original Senate version of the Kerry-Lugar bill.
The earlier bill said that the US intended to work with the government of Pakistan to ensure that Pakistan had strong and effective law-enforcement and national defence forces, under civilian leadership, with sufficient and appropriate security equipment and training to effectively defend Pakistan against internal and external threats.
In this clause, there was no mention of civilian control over chain of command or the process of promotion in the Pakistan army or any thing else hair-raising about the armed forces.
The explanatory note was issued jointly by the US House of Representatives and the Senate, clarifying their intent behind the aid to Pakistan bill.
The statement stresses that the US neither seeks to micromanage Pakistani affairs nor impinge on its sovereignty.
Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Congressman Howard Berman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, read out part of the statement inside Capitol Hill, standing beside Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
‘This document today is I think a historic document, a step forward in our relationship,’ Qureshi told a joint news conference with Senator Kerry and Congressman Berman.
'I am going back to Pakistan to tell my parliament and conclude the debate on the note that our relationship can move forward , we will deepen it and we will strengthen it,’ he said.
Senator Kerry and Congressman Berman reaffirmed their resolve to forge a long-term relationship with Pakistan, adding that the legislation, now being called as Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act, manifests the American commitment to economic uplift of the Pakistani people.
‘There is nothing in this bill that impinges on Pakistani sovereignty, period,’ said Senator Kerry.
The joint statement says that the reports envisioned in Section 302 are not binding on Pakistan, and require only the provision of information by the executive branch to the US Congress, in furtherance of the proposed legislation’s stated purpose of strengthening civilian institutions and the democratically-elected government of Pakistan.
The final text of the legislation reflects an agreement reached by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
‘The purpose of this explanatory statement is to facilitate accurate interpretation of the text and to ensure faithful implementation of its provisions in accordance with the intentions of the legislation,’ said Senator Kerry.
The core intent of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act is to demonstrate the American people’s long-term commitment to the people of Pakistan, he added.
Senator Kerry and Congressman Berman said that the United States valued its friendship with the Pakistani people and honoured the great sacrifices made by Pakistani security forces in the fight against extremism, and the legislation reflected the goals shared by the two governments.
The joint statement emphasised that the legislation ‘does not seek in any way to compromise Pakistan’s sovereignty, impinge on Pakistan’s national security interests, or micromanage any aspect of Pakistani military or civilian operations’.
There are no conditions on Pakistan attached to the authorisation of $7.5 billion in non-military aid.
The only requirements on this funding are financial accountability measures that Congress is imposing on the US executive branch, to ensure that this assistance supports programmes that most benefit the Pakistani people.
President Barack Obama has till midnight Friday to sign the Kerry-Lugar bill and he will sign it before that, according to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. (Dawn)
The Kerry-Lugar bill (KLB) on US aid to Pakistan has sparked angry debates in parliament and outside. Unfortunately common citizens are facing difficulties in understanding much of what has been said in denunciation of the proposed measure.
The main points made by knowledgeable (and some not so knowledgeable) commentators and patriotic and democratic persons (and some who are known to be neither patriotic nor democratic) are: that the bill aims at curtailing Pakistan’s sovereign rights, that it requires Pakistan to act contrary to its national interest, and that it attaches to aid humiliating conditions.
Since most of the critics have not referred precisely to the offensive parts of the KLB text it should be appropriate to briefly state the conditions listed in it.
Financial assistance to Pakistan will not be released unless the US president certifies that:
— Pakistan continues to cooperate with the US in efforts to curb unauthorised sale/distribution of nuclear weapons/information;
— The Government of Pakistan remains committed to the fight against terrorism;
— The government, including the military and intelligence agencies, are ceasing support to terrorists/militants operating in Afghanistan or ‘against the territory or people of neighbouring countries’.
— The Government of Pakistan is preventing terrorist groups from carrying out cross-border attacks, is dismantling terrorists’ bases in the country, and strengthening counter-terrorism and anti-money-laundering laws.
— The security forces of Pakistan are not materially and substantially subverting the political or judicial process in the country. (If interference is not material or substantial certification might not be withheld.)
In addition, the secretary of state is required to submit to Congress committees monitoring reports evaluating Pakistan’s effort to (a) ‘disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al Qaeda, the Taliban and other extremist and terrorist groups in Fata and settled areas; (b) eliminate the safe havens for such forces in Pakistan; (c) close terrorist camps, including those of Lashkar-i-Taiba and Jaish-i-Mohammad; (d) cease all support for extremist and terrorist groups; (e) prevent attacks into neighbouring countries; (f) increase oversight over curriculum in madressahs, including madressahs with direct links to the Taliban or the extremist and terrorists’ groups; and (g) improve counter-terrorism and anti-money laundering laws’.
The monitoring reports include ‘an assessment of the extent to which the Government of Pakistan exercises effective civilian control of the military, including a description of the extent to which civilian executive leaders and parliament exercise oversight and approval of military budgets, the chain of command, the process of promotion for senior military leaders, civilian involvement in strategic guidance and planning, and military involvement in civil administration’.
It is clear that the bill does not order Pakistan as to what it should or should not do. The Government of Pakistan is free to fight Al Qaeda and the Taliban or not to do so, it is free to eliminate terrorist camps and organisations or not to do so, and it may or may not allow cross-border attacks from its soil. The only condition/restriction envisaged in the bill curtails the US government’s authority to offer Pakistan financial aid.
However, the authors of the bill have assumed that it is in the interest of both Pakistan and the US to fight terrorists, to ensure that Pakistan’s territory is not used to train militants, to offer them safe havens, and to launch terrorist attacks in neighbouring countries. There certainly are people in Pakistan that repel these assumptions, but at the same time there are many who endorse these assumptions. Which of these two groups carries the day is Pakistan’s internal matter. The KLB does not challenge this formulation; it merely says that if Pakistan does not endorse these premises it should not expect the US to give it aid.
The question whether any strings can be attached to aid is not relevant. It is too late for a habitual client such as Pakistan to ask its patrons to go on giving aid even if the recipient party acts in violation of the former’s interest. The Commonwealth suspended Pakistan’s membership when the military overthrew the civilian government. Respect for democratic governance is now a condition for the Commonwealth’s membership. Does that imply an attack on the members’ sovereign rights? Democratic-minded people in Pakistan have consistently reprimanded the West for giving aid to dictators. Did the demand for denying support to Gen Zia compromise national dignity?
Similarly, the authors of the bill have apparently assumed that in a democratic state the civilian leaders in government and parliament should oversee military budget, strategic planning and promotions. They may be wrong in entertaining such ideas about Pakistan and in that case their minds could be disabused by our denial experts.
Incidentally, all diplomatic missions as well as representatives of UN agencies and international lenders monitor the situation in Pakistan more or less along the lines suggested in the bill. Pakistani defenders of national honour may well be aware that foreign governments base their policies towards Pakistan on such reports. One suspects Pakistani diplomats are also supposed to write similar reports. Pakistanis have seen no attacks on their sovereignty and honour in texts such as the following: ‘The Government of Pakistan will … take such action as may be mutually agreed upon [by the US and Pakistan] to eliminate causes of international tension; make, consistent with its political and economic stability, the full contribution permitted by its manpower, resources, facilities and general economic condition to the development and maintenance of its own defensive strength and the defensive strength of the free world; take all reasonable measures which may be needed to develop its defence capacities; and take appropriate steps to ensure the effective utilisation of the economic and military assistance provided by the United States.’ (Article 5, Pakistan – United States Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement, 1954).
We are aware of the provisions for the US president’s certification of Pakistan’s good conduct under the Symington Amendment and the troubles Gen Zia had in persuading White House, through Charlie Wilson, to be untruthful to the Congress. So long as such matters, including the gifting of a Pakistani field marshal’s uniform to the Congressman from Texas, are kept secret national honour is not compromised.
Perhaps the most serious lapse made by the Kerry-Lugar draftsmen is the use of the word ‘ceasing’ in relation to the monitoring of Pakistani agencies’ support to terrorist outfits because it assumes that such support has been extended in the past. There might have been no trouble if the US president had been asked only to certify that Pakistan is not supporting terrorists. Perhaps the Americans cannot help relying overmuch on their information channels. Or as Oscar Wilde observed somewhere that if someone speaks the truth, sooner or later, he will be found out. It seems both Pakistan and the US have been found out.
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