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Probe Looms for US Billions to Pakistan

LIttle accounting for use of mammoth payments

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 21, 2008 6:12 AM CST

(Newser) – The electoral defeat of President Pervez Musharraf may prompt Congress to scrutinize the Coalition Support Funds—billions of dollars paid by the US to Pakistan to foot the bill for military action against al-Qaeda near the border with Afghanistan. US officials approve some $80 million a month despite only vague accounting by the Pakistan government for how the money is spent, reports the Washington Post.

About $6 billion has been paid to Pakistan since 9/11. "Padding? Sure. Let's be honest, we're talking about Pakistan, which has a legacy of corruption," said one US official. But another analyst cautioned: "My sense is that the Pakistani military would not be out on the border if not for the Coalition Support Funds. That's the baseline cost of getting them out on a mission that is really our mission."

Pakistan army troops patrol in Miran Shah, capital of North Waziristan, Pakistan's tribal area along the Afghan border. Suspect payments of billions of dollars by the US to pay for Pakistan's military... (Associated Press)

Troops of Pakistan Army on patrol in a tribal area. Suspect payments of billions of dollars by the US to pay for Pakistan's military campaign on the Afghan border may be scrutinized by Congress. (AP Photo/Mohammad... (Associated Press)

A Pakistani soldier in a troubled border area. Suspect payments of billions of dollars by the US to pay for Pakistan's military campaign on the Afghan border may be scrutinized by Congress. (Associated Press)

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Probe Looms for US Billions to Pakistan

LIttle accounting for use of mammoth payments

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Pakistan said it had no forces in area when airstrikes were called

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Probe Looms for US Billions to Pakistan

LIttle accounting for use of mammoth payments

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Pakistan in the Balance

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

US Billions in Pakistan Wasted

Money earmarked for war on terror diverted to shore up regime

US and Pakistan Let al-Qaeda Regroup

Infighting, Musharraf, Iraq led to failure of 'Operation Cannonball'

New Pakistan Leaders to Seek Talks With Militants

Election victors continue to work for coalition government

Pakistan Cleared Deadly Hit: US

Pakistan said it had no forces in area when airstrikes were called

Bin Laden Short on Hiding Spots: Officials

Pakistan offensive, troops in Afghanistan, drone attacks cut space

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Newser By Users

Community

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