News
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
US finalising $2bn security aid package for Pakistan: CNN
WASHINGTON: The Obama administration is putting final touches to a security assistance package worth $2 billion spanning five years to help Pakistan fight extremists on its border with Afghanistan.
The aid is expected to be announced later this week when Pakistani officials are in Washington to hold high-level strategic talks, US officials and diplomatic sources told CNN. The package aims to address Pakistan’s insistence it does not have the capability to go after terrorists and needs more support from the US, the sources said. The aid would help the Pakistanis purchase helicopters, weapons systems and equipment to intercept communications.
Frank Ruggiero, the US deputy special representative on Pakistan and Afghanistan, said the Pentagon and the Pakistani military had been talking about a framework for security assistance.
“We specifically worked with the Pakistanis over the summer to identify what would be the types of military equipment and so on,” Ruggiero told reporters. “That will be a topic of discussion at the strategic dialogue.” app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk