WASHINGTON, May 16: The White House has rejected a House bill which places limitation on reimbursements to the government of Pakistan and imposes new restrictions on US assistance to that country.
The bill requires the secretaries of defence and state to certify to the US Congress that Pakistan is cooperating with the United States in the war against terror, dismantling IED networks and preventing nuclear proliferation.
The White House rejects both, restrictions placed on reimbursing the money Pakistan spends in combating terrorists along the Pak-Afghan border as well as certification requirements.
A statement issued by Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, says that the US administration “strongly objects to the restriction in reimbursement for Pakistan from Coalition Support Funds and the associated certification requirements in section 1211” of a bill a congressional panel passed last week.
“Taken together, the reimbursement restriction and the certification restrictions -- some of which require the Secretary of Defence to certify Pakistani cooperation on issues outside of his purview – are proposed at a particularly sensitive time,” the White House observes.
The requirements “would severely constrict Department of Defence’s ability to respond to emergent war-time coalition support requirements, putting at risk the success of our campaign in Afghanistan, and increasing the risk that Al Qaeda and its associates would be able to again enjoy a safe haven in Pakistan”.
The National Defence Authorisationion Act for FY 2013, passed last week by the House Armed Services Committee – says that the US Defence Secretary may “not use the authority to procure goods or services from Pakistan until such time as the government of Pakistan agrees to re-open the Ground Lines of Communication for the movement of United States equipment and supplies through Pakistan”.
It also says that “the total amount of reimbursements made to Pakistan during fiscal year 2013 may not exceed $650,000,000”.
Pakistan says that the US owes more than $2 billion in reimbursements.
Another section of the controversial bill rejected by the White House requires the Secretary of Defence to submit to the congressional defence committees the following:
“(A) report that contains a description of a model for reimbursement, including how claims are proposed and adjudicated;
“(B) new conditions or caveats that the government of Pakistan places on the use of its supply routes;
“(C) the estimated differences in costs associated with transit through supply routes in Pakistan for fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2013.
The White House also rejected the requirement of a certification of the Secretary of Defence that the Government of Pakistan is committed to — “(A) supporting counterterrorism operations against Al Qaeda, its associated movements, the Haqqani network, and other domestic and foreign terrorist organisations;
“(B) Dismantling improvised explosive device (IED) networks and interdicting precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of IEDs; “(C) preventing the proliferation of nuclear-related material and expertise; and “(D) issuing visas in a timely manner for United States Government personnel supporting counterterrorism efforts and assistance programs in Pakistan.”
