19 February 2005	Saturday	09 Muharram 1426

WASHINGTON, Feb 18: The Bush administration is seeking Congress's approval for financial assistance to Pakistan both in the 2005-6 budget proposals and 2004-5 supplementary budget request.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who presented the two proposals before the US Congress on Thursday, said Pakistan was among those "US partners" who played a crucial role in Washington's efforts to defeat terrorism.

"We propose $150 million for Pakistan to improve its border security and increase interoperability with US and coalition forces," said Ms Rice while presenting the 2004-5 supplemental before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The 2005-6 financial assistance for Pakistan is likely to come from the $5.8 billion Ms Rice is seeking to help America's "partners in global war on terror" while the additional amount for this year is likely to come from the funds for international affairs projects.

The Bush administration is currently seeking passage of its proposed budget for fiscal 2005-6. The additional money for 2004-5 is requested to cover costs not anticipated when the budget for this year was set.

For 2005-6, the Bush administration is seeking $691 million for Pakistan. Under the multi-year Camp David package signed two years ago, the US pledged to provide $600 million to Pakistan every year, divided evenly between military and economic assistance.

She told United States lawmakers that Pakistan was also a member of the Forum for the Future, an international platform backed by the G-8 countries, to initiate a new partnership between the democratic world and mostly Muslim nations extending from North Africa to South Asia. "We are committed to assisting the forum to play a central role in advancing reform in the region," she said.