ASHINGTON, Dec. 11, Reuter: The Senate voted on Friday to allow new US. military and economic assistance to Pakistan if President Reagan certifies the aid meets America’s national interests and dropped a ‘measure linking India to the equation.
The measure, approved by Voice vote, would pave the way for a second six year waiver for Pakistan of a U.S. law barring aid to nations pursuing a nuclear weapons programme.
It also would set the bal rolling on the Afghan administration’s four billion dollar, six year military and economic aid package for Pakistan.
The measure, an amendment to a Catchali government spending bill for fiscal 1988, also dropped a provision approved by a Senate Committee last week that sought to treat India also believed to possess a nuclear capability in the same way as Pakistan.
At Reagan’s request, Congress in 1981 exempted Pakistan for six years form the law barring foreign aid to countries working of acquire nuclear bombs.
The waiver expired on September 30; the end of the 1987 fiscal year, and new aid had been suspended while some lawmakers sought to make the suspension permanent.
But the Senate measure, a compromise thrashed out by Senators behind the scenes on Friday, would allow Pakistan to continue to receive US. said “if the President says it is in our national and security interest to continue that aid”.
It stipulates the President must make that certification every year during the six year waiver of the US. law.
Reagan was viewed likely as making such a certification. His administration’s policy has been to bolster Pakistan with US. Military and other aid to deter Soviet expansionism from neighboring Afghanistan, where Moscow intervened in 1979.
In addition, Pakistan harbors about three million Afghan refugees and quietly facilitates the low of U.S. arms to Mujahideen guerrillas who have battled with Soviet backed Afghan forces for more than seven years.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 18, 1987
