September 30, 2009 6:35 PM

Staten Island, NY – Rep. Michael E. McMahon continues to enhance national security interests of the US by sponsoring S. 1707, Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act.  This legislation is designed to fight terrorism by strengthening the security, economy and democratic institutions of Pakistan.  McMahon, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has been involved with this legislation since it was first introduced in April of this year.  S. 1707 passed the House of Representatives today by voice vote.

“S. 1701 establishes a new framework for U.S.-Pakistan relations based on mutual trust, assistance and flexibility,” says Rep. McMahon, “A secure and stable Pakistan is necessary in NATO’s mission in Afghanistan, and this legislation will recompense this critical ally  and most importantly, its people with much needed multilateral assistance.”

S. 1701, which is supported by the Departments of State and Defense, triples U.S. democratic, economic, and social development assistance to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year from fiscal years 2010 to 2014.  The bill’s focus will be to strengthen democratic institutions, promote economic development, and improve Pakistan's public education system.

S.1701 also authorizes military assistance to help Pakistan disrupt and defeat al Qaeda and relevant insurgent elements, and requires that such assistance be focused principally on helping Pakistan with its critical counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts. It further establishes accountability measures for military assistance, including a requirement that the Government of Pakistan has demonstrated a sustained effort to combating terrorist groups and has made significant efforts towards that end, as committed to by the Government of Pakistan.

“This bill grants the government of Pakistan a unique combination of military and  social tools to fight Al-Qaeda and the Taliban insurgency,” continued McMahon.  “While fighting nuclear proliferation through limiting Pakistan’s own arsenal, S. 1701 focuses on the often ignored social and democratic institutions, with particular attention to the rights and education of women and girls.”

Below is an overview of some of the bill’s key provisions: 

Economic, Social, and Democratic Development Assistance for Pakistan
This legislation triples the authorization for U.S. economic, social, and democratic development assistance to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, as requested by the Obama Administration.  This assistance includes support for:

• Bolstering democratic institutions, including Pakistan’s parliament, and enhancing and strengthening its judicial system and law enforcement agencies;
• Providing increased assistance for Pakistan’s public education system, with an emphasis on access for women and girls, and increased vocational training opportunities; 
• Improving Pakistan’s health care efforts, particularly maternal health, with the aim of strengthening healthcare infrastructure;
• Funding economic development and job creation, including infrastructure development, with a focus on meeting community needs and facilitating community involvement; and
• Improving human rights, with particular attention to women and girls as well as ethnic and religious minorities.
  

Security Assistance for Pakistan
The bill authorizes such sums as may be necessary for military assistance to Pakistan in fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to help Pakistan disrupt and defeat al Qaeda and relevant insurgent elements, including  funding for such programs as the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program and the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program.  The bill stipulates that a significant portion of the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds be targeted to training and equipment that will improve Pakistan’s counterinsurgency and counterterrorism capabilities.  It also calls for a significant portion of funding for International Military Education and Training (IMET) to be targeted toward training in counterinsurgency and civil-military relations.  In addition, the bill authorizes a new exchange program between military and civilian personnel of Pakistan and military and civilian personnel of countries in the process of consolidating and strengthening a democratic form of government, or of NATO member countries, in order to foster greater mutual respect for and understanding of the principle of civilian rule of the military.

The bill also includes language having the effect of upholding the 2006 contract between the United States and Pakistan that Pakistan will use its own funds to purchase F-16s.

Accountability and Monitoring Provisions
The legislation ensures that the era of the “blank check” is over.  In order to increase accountability, the bill prohibits security-related assistance provided by the State Department to Pakistan after FY 2010 unless the Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, determines that Pakistan is cooperating with the U.S. on nonproliferation, is meeting its commitment to combat terrorist groups, and has made significant efforts towards that end.  To provide the Administration with adequate flexibility, it also provides for a waiver by the Secretary of State, under direction of the President, if the Secretary of State determines such waiver is important to U.S. national security interests. 

The bill also includes extensive monitoring requirements, including a semi-annual report requiring the Administration to evaluate the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to fight terror, along with a description of all assistance to Pakistan by program, project and activity.

Other Provisions
The bill includes several other provisions, including the following:

• Requires that certain assistance and payments to Pakistan be provided to civilian authorities of a civilian government of Pakistan.
• Requires a presidential report on Pakistan within 180 days of the bill’s enactment, on a comprehensive regional security strategy, including specifications of goals, and proposed timelines and budgets for implementation of the strategy.