27 February 2004	Friday	06 Muharram 1425

WASHINGTON, Feb 26: US Secretary of State Colin Powell presented before the Senate on Thursday a $31.5 billion budget proposal for United States' foreign engagements, which includes a $700 million request for Pakistan.

As the budget presented before the Senate Budget Committee shows, the Bush administration will continue to focus on the war against terrorism during 2005 as well and is setting aside billions of dollars for it.

While seeking funds for Pakistan, Mr Powell told the Senate that Pakistan was a key US ally in the war against terrorism and had arrested more than 500 Al Qaeda terrorists and members of the Taliban militia.

This, he said, had been possible only "through the leadership of President Pervez Musharraf, stronger border security measures and law enforcement cooperation throughout the country."

The proposed aid package for Pakistan, he said, would be used to "help advance security and economic opportunity for its citizens, including a multi-year educational support programme."

The proposed budget provides more than $5.7 billion for assistance to countries around the world that are helping the US in the war against terrorism, including Turkey, Jordan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Mr Powell requested a total of $31.5 billion for the Department of State, USAID and other foreign affairs agencies responsible for promoting US interests abroad.