US proposes $ 300 mln as security assistance for Pak in fiscal 2008

Washington, Feb 9 (UNI) The Bush administration has sought from Congress 4.5 billion dollars under the foreign security assistance program for the fiscal 2008 of which 300 million dollars would go to Pakistan.

However, the allocation is subject to the approval of the Congress.

The bulk of the amount, 2.4 billion dollars is earmarked for Israel,followed by Egypt with 1.3 billion dollars, Jordan 200 million dollars and Indonesia 15.7 million dollars.

US President George W Bush has asked Congress for significant spending increases in the fiscal year 2008 to fight terrorism and to safeguard the United States from future attacks.

''As commander in chief, my highest priority is the security of the nation,'' President Bush said in a letter introducing the White House's 2008 funding request.

''My budget invests substantial resources to fight the Global War on Terror and ensure our homeland is protected from those who would do us harm,'' he added.

The White House is seeking 294.8 billion dollars to fund global counter terrorism operations, including 99.6 billion dollars for the fiscal year 2007, 145.2 billion dollars in 2008 and 50 billion dollars in 2009.

A majority of the funding would be allocated to the Department of Defence, but 9.3 billion dollars is being sought for the State Department, and 0.5 billion dollars for other agencies.

These funds are in addition to the 70 billion dollars passed by Congress for the Defence Department last year.

Since 2001, Congress has appropriated more than 425 billion dollars for anti-terrorism activities across the US government.

The fiscal year 2008 funding request is the largest made for anti-terrorism programs to date; if approved, it would increase overall funding allocated to fighting terrorism to more than 700 billion dollars since the 2001 attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

UNI