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India-Pakistan

US to give Pakistan $750 mln for border areas

2007-03-16

Oh, this is just stupid.

ISLAMABAD - The United States aims to give Pakistan $750 million over the next five years for the development of areas on the border with Afghanistan, a senior US official said on Thursday.

Develop the areas? I'd prefer we bomb them for the next five years and see if there's anything left to develop. With the right incentive plan to the USAF, the answer to that will be 'no'.

This commitment to the development of Pakistan, this commitment to the long-term relationship, is another example of the very broad and deep relations that we have, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher told a news conference in Islamabad.

The impoverished, semi-autonomous ~~and idiotic~~ tribal areas on Pakistans border with Afghanistan are ~~filled with fools~~ a hotbed of al Qaeda and Taleban support, from where ~~terrorists~~ militants have been launching attacks into Afghanistan.

The US administration will seek the approval of the US Congress for the extra aid, Boucher said.

Um, 'no'.

Posted by:Steve White

#8 No mention of oversite for this money. I wonder who gets to travel to Pakistan in order to make sure that the money gets spent in the manner that justifies the use.

After reading the post at the bottom of Rantburg about the couple getting taxed for using grease to run their vehicle, send a couple of Illinois IRS agents to keep a eye on the Paki's. They'll keep them in line.

Posted by: Delphi2005 2007-03-16 12:31

#7 Methinks, US is suffering withdrawal symptoms --- not giving money to Paleos, so this is a substitute.

Posted by: gromgoru 2007-03-16 11:30

#6 first of all what is there too develop in these remote ass regions? 2nd , and someone said it before how bout they givce something more for our money here.

Posted by: sinse 2007-03-16 10:16

#5 The most modern mosque/ammo dump/Falafel House will be constructed with the $750M, minus the usual Paki commission. Truly a sight to shock and awe the natives.

Posted by: ed 2007-03-16 08:43

#4 So we bought it?
Sounds good.
Let's blow it all up.

Posted by: tu3031 2007-03-16 08:35

#3 There was no "off switch" because Pakistan wanted to use the "jihad factories" against India.
Note that the Kashmir jihad began a few months after the Soviets left Afghanistan.

Posted by: John Frum 2007-03-16 06:19

#2 I'd like to see them pony up some prizes first, I think it should be conditional. Like "cut the shit, gives us our targets and maybe before you die we will give you toilets"

Posted by: Flolumble Elmuling1667 2007-03-16 03:30

#1 Actually, this makes some sense. Back when the Russians invaded Afghanistan, we created a Jihadi "industry" in that region. We sent money and arms and encouraged the madrassas to turn out fighters. We created an industry of holy warrior factories. We used the idea of islamic fighters to oppose the Russians. Then at some point it got out of control. The Russians were gone but we couldn't find the "off" switch.

Jihad is a big business in that region and the simple fact is that we created it. The first time I ever heard the word "mujahideen" was from the lips of Ronald Reagan describing Afghan "freedom fighters".

In the process we created a lot of powerful people and there is a lot of money flying around in that region. We need to provide some other lucrative occupation if we want to get rid of the jihadi economy there. Pumping in a billion dollars for "development" is a way to keep the tribal leaders rich while doing something else. It allows them to move into a different line of business without losing their power and wealth. It is probably the only way to stop the jihadi economy.

Posted by: crosspatch 2007-03-16 02:37

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