WASHINGTON, U.S.A - The killing of Osama bin Laden by US forces on Pakistani soil, has further inflamed tensions between the two nations. It is a relationship that for years, has been marred by mistrust.Although it may be too early to tell whether it was incompetence or complicity on Pakistan's part, the US' 10-year alliance with the country is now in question.
A legislation has been introduced in the US House of Representatives which if passed would cut aid to Pakistan unless the state department can certify that Islamabad was not harbouring slain al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden.- “Osama bin Laden has met his maker, and we appreciate the Navy SEALs for arranging the meeting, but Pakistan gives us some concern. It seems like Pakistan might be playing both sides, and they have a lot of explaining to do,” Texas Republican Ted Poe (right photo)said in his remarks on the floor of the House after introducing the bill.
- “For all these years, we believed that Osama bin Laden was on the run, living in a cave; but, apparently, Satan’s Pawn has been living for years in a million-dollar compound just yards away from a Pakistani military base, but Pakistan claims no knowledge of Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts. I just don’t buy it,” Poe said.
- Poe said he has introduced a bill that would require Congress and the American people to get a full understanding of what Pakistan knew about bin Laden’s whereabouts and when they knew it, before US give them anymore American money.
- “Congress has already appropriated $3 billion in aid to Pakistan for this year; and unless Pakistan can prove that they were not providing sanctuary for America’s number one enemy, they should not receive any American aid,” he said.
Poe serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees. He is the vice chair of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations as well as the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Non-proliferation and Trade.He also serves on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.
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