US proposes $ 300 mn as security aid to Pak

Washington, Feb 9: The Bush administration has sought fromCongress 4.5 billion dollars under the foreign security assistanceprogram for the fiscal 2008 of which 300 million dollars would go toPakistan.

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

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

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

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

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

The White House is seeking 294.8 billion dollars to fund globalcounter terrorism operations, including 99.6 billion dollars for thefiscal year 2007, 145.2 billion dollars in 2008 and 50 billion dollarsin 2009.

A majority of the funding would be allocated to the Department ofDefence, but 9.3 billion dollars is being sought for the StateDepartment, 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 foranti-terrorism programs to date; if approved, it would increase overallfunding allocated to fighting terrorism to more than 700 billiondollars since the 2001 attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

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