E-Paper
US Congress to issue explanatory statement on Kerry Lugar bill
US Congressional leaders sought to mollify Pakistan's concerns, on Wednesday, on a bill for providing USD 7.5 billion aid to that country, promising Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi they would issue an "explanatory statement," before the President signs it into law.
US Congressional leaders sought to mollify Pakistan's concerns, on Wednesday, on a bill for providing USD 7.5 billion aid to that country, promising Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi they would issue an "explanatory statement," before the President signs it into law.
Qureshi is in town for the second time in less than a week -– this time with the mission of conveying to the Obama administration and Congress leaders the concerns expressed by the Pakistani Army and its leaders on the Kerry Lugar Bill.
Talking to reporters before meeting Qureshi, Howard Berman, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said the House and Senate foreign affairs committees are preparing a 'Joint Explanatory Statement' detailing the intent and contents of the legislation to be released soon.
"The statement will explain what the bill does and what it does not do... Nor does the legislation infringe on Pakistani sovereignty," Berman said.
He said the Kerry-Lugar Bill is meant to help Pakistan's people and to support counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, not to dictate what the country should do.
"Congress is very aware of the sacrifices that Pakistanis have made in order to take on terrorism," he said.
He said with its unprecedented level of funding for economic, democratic and infrastructure assistance, the legislation signifies American people's lasting commitment to supporting the people of Pakistan.
