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Week Ending June 26, 2009

S.962 A bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to promote an enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people, and for other purposes.

<< Click flag for map and country data, Pakistan 

The bill notes that Pakistan is a country of 176 million people of whom fifty percent can not read or write and that the hunger index is on a par with North Korea. Ignorance and hunger being the proven breeding ground for terrorist groups, the bill targets not so much aid for programs of the Pakistan government but for the Pakistan people.

The bill addresses the thinking behind the strategy: “Following the earthquake in Kashmir in 2005, the United States devoted nearly $1 billion to relief efforts, and reaped a greater reward in popular support than any amount of public diplomacy could generate. The sight of American servicemen and women saving the lives of Pakistani citizens was worth many times the cost of operating the Chinook helicopters. For a brief period, America was challenging the terrorists in a true battle of hearts and minds--and winning. S. 962 seeks to sustain such a relationship.”

Appropriations of $1.5 billion yearly are authorized over ten years under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for various humanitarian aids to Pakistan.

Non-military aid is intended for the purposes of promoting just and democratic governance and citizen participation, education, economic development and investment in the people with special attention to women’s rights. The Obama Administration is charged with providing an assistance strategy that sets out objectives to be achieved with the assistance, the programs and projects intended to achieve those objectives and the criteria for measuring the effectiveness of the assistance.

Once the money is slowing the Administration must report to Congress every 6 months on the impact it is having in respect to the strategy report. Before the Administration can spend more than half the $1.5 billion each year it must certify that the assistance provided thus far has made or is making substantial progress towards the principal objectives of the assistance.

$30 million annually will go to the Inspectors Generals of State and US AID and other relevant agencies to audit the program reviews of projects funded.

The Secretary of State is directed to produce within 45 days a comprehensive Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report to Congress that contains specific benchmarks to measure progress on a qualitative basis and a comprehensive strategy for the Afghan-Pakistan border area. 90 days later the first semi annual report is due Congress.

The bill notes that while only 50% of Pakistanis are literate only 37% of Pakistani women are literate and, in some, areas only 3% are literate. One of the reasons for the disparity is the lack of educational and vocational opportunities for all Pakistanis but for women and girls in particular. To curtail drop out rates the bill intends spending fro school meals. The bill notes previous aid from USAID to revitalize the Forman Christian College in Lahore, an institution that offers a four-year baccalaureate degree.

The bill provides military aid as well but that aid is contingent on certification by the Secretary of State that Pakistani security forces are making concerted efforts to prevent al Qaeda and other terrorist groups from operating in Pakistani territory; that concerted efforts to prevent the Taliban from using Pakistan as a sanctuary from which to launch attacks within Afghanistan; and that those terror groups are not interfering in the political or judicial processes of Pakistan. Coalition support funds provide essential support for military operations of the Government of Pakistan to protect U.S. and allied logistic operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Secretary must report annually on the use and impact of those funds.

$100 million annually will be spent on police reform.

Sponsor:  Senator John Kerry (D-MA)

Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent June 24, 2009.

Cost to the taxpayers: Authorizes $1.5 billion annually through 2015 and $1.5 billion yearly from 2015 through 2020 contingent on improvements in the political and economic climate in Pakistan.

 “CBO estimates that implementing S. 962 would cost about $4.8 billion over the 2010-2014 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues”

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