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US Congress links Coalition Support Fund to NATO supply
WASHINGTON: US lawmakers in the House of Representatives debating the National Defence Authorisation Act voted 412-1 for an amendment that could block up to $650 million in proposed payments to Pakistan unless Islamabad lets coalition forces resume shipment of war supplies across its territory.The lawmakers were debating an annual defence policy bill that seeks $642.5 billion in military spending for the 2013 fiscal year.
The amendment tabled by Congressman Connolly was passed overwhelmingly. The amendment suggested withholding mthe Coalition Support Fund until the Secretary of Defense certifies that Pakistan has opened the Ground Lines of Communication.
It asks that if Pakistan is allowing the transit of NATO supplies through the country into Afghanistan, and it is supporting the retrograde of US equipment out of Afghanistan.
The moves came as lawmakers debated more than 140 amendments to the policy bill, which seeks $554 billion in base defence spending for the 2013 fiscal year beginning in October and $88.5 billion for the Afghan war and other overseas operations.
Earlier the US Congress had turned down the bill proposing curbs on American aid to Pakistan. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher had pushed the Pakistan Terrorism Accountability Act of 2012 in the House of Representatives in a bid to straightjacket Pakistan. (Reuters)
Courtesy www.geo.tv