Thursday
Apr232009
Clinton: We’re Not Trying To Be All Things To All People
Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 4:50PM
by Christina Lovato, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the FY09 Supplemental Appropriations budget request reflects commitment to smart power and to using taxpayers’ dollars for maximum advantage in areas of immediate need.
This morning Clinton addressed the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and stated that the $7.1 billion requested in supplemental funds for State Department operations and foreign assistance is a significant sum but expressed that it is only a fraction of what the U.S. spends each year on national security.
The money will go to provide assistance to developing countries that have been hit the hardest by the global financial crisis in order to provide a temporary safety net.
Some of the money includes $482 million for Iraq, $980 million for Afghanistan, and $497 million for Pakistan.
Clinton said that this supplemental budget also includes small investments that will go to regions besides the Middle East to help with international peace keeping operations, and humanitarian needs; some of these other regions include Africa, Burma, North Korea, Georgia, and Mexico
“We think that diplomacy and development are ever more important to safeguarding the security and prosperity of our people and our nation because after all if we are successful in either managing or solving problems we save the money and the lives that would otherwise be spent dealing with conflict,” said Clinton.
Clinton said that security in Afghanistan is a paramount concern and said that the money will go towards specific areas essential to security and stability, including efforts to make government institutions more accountable and effective, and job creation.
“Many in the Taliban are there not because of ideological commitment but frankly because their paid better than you could be paid in the Afghan police force.... We are trying to unlock this puzzle about how to attract young men in particular into legitimate employment,” said Clinton.
But Clinton said that the progress in Afghanistan depends on progress made in Pakistan.
Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) expressed her concerns for Pakistan’s escalating terrorist violence and said that she is in fear of their government’s inability and unwillingness to confront the extremist threat.
“After eight years and billions of dollars, we are no closer to improving security, solving the poppy problem, empowering credible partners to eliminate corruption and stabilize the government, or enabling a more tolerant society that respects the rights of women,” said Lowey.
Congressman David Obey (D-WI) expressed his concern for a timeline of aid from the Obama administraton for Pakistan because he said the U.S. won’t be helping for long if things don’t get better.
“If Pakistan does not perform, if that government doesn’t get their act together, if they don’t quit playing it every which way, if the intelligence service in Pakistan doesn’t stop double dealing, they need to know that we’re not going to be stuck there backing them up forever,” said Obey.
“This is not easy, it is not safe, and it is extremely difficult to get right but I pledge to you that we’re going to do everything we can as we move forward advancing President Obama’s and our nation’s vital interests to make sure that diplomacy and development are well prepared to take our place at the head of our nation’s foreign policy objectives,” concluded Clinton.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the FY09 Supplemental Appropriations budget request reflects commitment to smart power and to using taxpayers’ dollars for maximum advantage in areas of immediate need.
This morning Clinton addressed the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and stated that the $7.1 billion requested in supplemental funds for State Department operations and foreign assistance is a significant sum but expressed that it is only a fraction of what the U.S. spends each year on national security.
The money will go to provide assistance to developing countries that have been hit the hardest by the global financial crisis in order to provide a temporary safety net.
Some of the money includes $482 million for Iraq, $980 million for Afghanistan, and $497 million for Pakistan.
Clinton said that this supplemental budget also includes small investments that will go to regions besides the Middle East to help with international peace keeping operations, and humanitarian needs; some of these other regions include Africa, Burma, North Korea, Georgia, and Mexico
“We think that diplomacy and development are ever more important to safeguarding the security and prosperity of our people and our nation because after all if we are successful in either managing or solving problems we save the money and the lives that would otherwise be spent dealing with conflict,” said Clinton.
Clinton said that security in Afghanistan is a paramount concern and said that the money will go towards specific areas essential to security and stability, including efforts to make government institutions more accountable and effective, and job creation.
“Many in the Taliban are there not because of ideological commitment but frankly because their paid better than you could be paid in the Afghan police force.... We are trying to unlock this puzzle about how to attract young men in particular into legitimate employment,” said Clinton.
But Clinton said that the progress in Afghanistan depends on progress made in Pakistan.
Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) expressed her concerns for Pakistan’s escalating terrorist violence and said that she is in fear of their government’s inability and unwillingness to confront the extremist threat.
“After eight years and billions of dollars, we are no closer to improving security, solving the poppy problem, empowering credible partners to eliminate corruption and stabilize the government, or enabling a more tolerant society that respects the rights of women,” said Lowey.
Congressman David Obey (D-WI) expressed his concern for a timeline of aid from the Obama administraton for Pakistan because he said the U.S. won’t be helping for long if things don’t get better.
“If Pakistan does not perform, if that government doesn’t get their act together, if they don’t quit playing it every which way, if the intelligence service in Pakistan doesn’t stop double dealing, they need to know that we’re not going to be stuck there backing them up forever,” said Obey.
“This is not easy, it is not safe, and it is extremely difficult to get right but I pledge to you that we’re going to do everything we can as we move forward advancing President Obama’s and our nation’s vital interests to make sure that diplomacy and development are well prepared to take our place at the head of our nation’s foreign policy objectives,” concluded Clinton.
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