10 April 2004	Saturday	19 Safar 1425

WASHINGTON, April 9: US Secretary of State Colin Powell presented before the Senate's appropriations subcommittee on foreign operations on Thursday a $31.5 billion budget proposal for US foreign engagements , which focuses heavily in the war against terror.

"President Bush's top foreign policy priority is winning the war on terrorism," Mr Powell told the Senate budget committee, while presenting the proposed international affairs budget for 2005. Forty-eight per cent of the proposed budget directly supports that priority by assisting the American allies and strengthening US foreign policy objectives.

The proposed budget provides more than $5.7 billion for assistance to countries around the world that are helping the US in the war on 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.

Out of these $21.3 billion are for foreign operations, $8.4 billion for state operations, $1.2 billion for foreign food aid, $569 million for international broadcasting and $22 million for the US Institute of Peace.

Afghanistan gets $1.2 billion for reconstruction, security and democracy building. Mr Powell, who is also seeking $700 million for Pakistan, told the Senate that Islamabad had arrested more than 500 Al Qaeda terrorists and members of the Taliban militia.

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

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." More than $5.7 billion is provided for direct assistance to the countries helping the US fight terrorists.