Biden’s plan will ensure aid flows to people, not armaments

[PatSeg]

<WASHINGTON: Senator Joseph R Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has proposed a new aid plan for Pakistan to put the relationship between the two countries on a predictable and even keel.

The four-point plan laid out on Thursday is: (1) The US must triple non-security aid to $1.5 billion annually for at least a decade. This aid would be unconditioned. It would be the US’s pledge to the Pakistani people. Instead of funding military hardware, it would build schools, clinics, and roads. (2) The US must condition security aid on performance. US should base security aid on clear results. Washington is now spending well over $1 billion annually, and “it’s not clear we’re getting our money’s worth”. (3) The US must help Pakistan enjoy a “democracy dividend.” The first year of democratic rule should bring an additional $1 billion - above the $1.5 billion non-security aid baseline. Biden said he supports tying future non-security aid - above the guaranteed baseline - to Pakistan’s progress in developing democratic institutions and meeting good-governance norms. And (4) The US must engage the Pakistani people, not just their rulers, which will involve everything from improved public diplomacy and educational exchanges to high impact projects that actually change people’s lives.>


snip

<Biden says what is happening in Pakistan is linked to broader US foreign policy goals. He says US policy needs to be shifted from one focused solely on President General Pervez Musharraf to one based on Pakistan as a whole.>

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C11%5C09%5Cstory_9-11-2007_pg7_16

[youthere]

1. Kicking for Joe

[murbley40]

2. Kick

[gateley]

3. A wise, comprehensive approach. The money incentive always talks, but Joe goes

beyond that, incorporating the Pakistani people - he understands the bigger picture. As always. nt

[robinlynne]

4. How about using that money for new orleans?

[ginchinchili]

5. That money is being spent in Iraq, and New Orleans doesn't have nukes.

Seriously, it's a spurious argument to suggest that the money has to either go to New Orleans or to Pakistan. Both are important. Much of the money issue for New Orleans is up to local and state officials, Gov. Blanco & Mayor Neagin.

[lyonn]

6. What are we paying for our two ongoing wars?

I'd rather spends dollars for peace, if possible.

[justinrr1]

7. Biden is always on top of things

Its a shame he is not higher in the polls, but he definitely has momentum!

[PatSeg]

9. I think he does even if it is below the radar

Some pundits are going to be surprised in a couple of months.

[jillan]

8. I really like where he is going with this.