Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the House Foreign Affairs Committee Wednesday that the State Department’s FY2011 budget request has increased to $52.8 billion, a $4.9 billion increase over 2010.

$3.6 billion will be directly allocated to supporting efforts for what Clinton referred to as “frontline states”; Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq.

“These figures are more than numbers on a page,” Clinton said. “They tell the story of challenges we face and the resources we need to overcome them.”

Clinton said that the investments in these nations will focus on security, developing democratic institutions and ensuring that the right personnel are adequately trained in order to take full advantage of these investments.

“For every dollar we spend, we have to show results,” she said.

In her opening statement, Clinton said there will be an increase in civilian presence in Afghanistan, and continued efforts to develop institutions and increase economic opportunities.

Regarding Pakistan, Mrs. Clinton said investments will concentrate on combating and diluting extremism. Iraqi investments will be allocated toward reducing our military presence and increasing our civilian presence.

Clinton also emphasized that despite a $2.6 billion dollar investment in Iraq, the Department of Defense’s budget for the country will decrease by nearly $16 billion, “a powerful illustration of the return on civilian investment.”

The Mrs. Clinton expressed optimism over the State Department’s budget request, saying it “will help build the foundations of peace, stability and prosperity in these ‘frontline states.'”