US Money for Pakistan Nukes?

Cruising the Pak Tribune for news that you won't find on CNN:

US Congress panel okays Pakistan aid bill

The US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee has endorsed a bipartisan measure to authorize a combined package of $7.5 billion economic and more than $2 billion in security assistance for Pakistan over next five years.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the Obama administration is confident that Pakistan will not use sharp increase in US aid to strengthen its nuclear arsenal.

Oh really?

Pakistan will use all options including enhancement in nuclear program to maintain balance of power and minimum deterrence.

This was said by foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit during his weekly briefing in foreign office here Thursday.

Hmmm. Well at least they're cooperating with intelligence sharing:

Pakistan and India have begun sharing intelligence on Islamic extremists, with the prodding of the U.S., in an arrangement that represents unprecedented cooperation between the two nuclear-armed South Asian nations.

The Central Intelligence Agency arranged for Pakistan and India to share information on Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group widely blamed for last November’s terrorist attack on Mumbai, as well as on Taliban commanders who are leading the insurgency against Pakistan’s government, said U.S. officials.

Wait ... what's that, Abdul?

There was no truth in the reports that any exchange of lists of Lashkar Tayyaba and Taliban Commanders had taken place between Pakistan and India.

adding: "Thanks for the 9.5 billion dollars ... Suckers."

I hope Hillary knows what she's doing.

Updates

Yesterday I wrote about Stephane Dion's odd quotes about NATO "helping" Pakistan secure it's border with Afghanistan. Today on the National, I just about pissed myself watching Mansbridge grill Dion about his remarks. Funny stuff. Watch it if you can. Apparently, the "option with the NATO forces" that he was referring to is the option of nicely asking Pakistan if they please wouldn't mind doing something with the insurgents in the mountains.

Two days ago I wrote about the city's water park proposal. Well, PolicyFrog has been doing some thinking too, and has some insights on the issue that are well worth checking out (as usual). I echo some of the Frog's apprehensions, and am slightly concerned that Katz's desire to see a big shiny waterpark added to his legacy as mayor may be the primary motivation behind this $7m contest. I should reserve judgement though, until I see how it pans out.

Stephane is schizophrenic

With apologies to the schizophrenics out there ...

The National Post has some intriguing insight into the mind of our fearless Federal opposition leader today. The article (also picked up by CTV news) quotes Stephane Dion as saying that we might have to "tackle the problems that often originate from Pakistan". Is this the same guy that wants us to pull out of a combat role in Afghanistan?

So, um, Stephane. Are Canadian troops going to be part of this NATO force to invade Afghanistan?

In an example of the disconnect between Dion and reality, he states that wants to "help Pakistan help us pacify Afghanistan". Let's see how Pakistan feels about that:

"any operation by any other country inside our borders will be regarded attack on Pakistan" <source>

ok then.

h/t: the Broom

Benazir Bhutto dead, Pakistan's future in critical condition

BBC report here

The shocking yet not surprising news of Bhutto's demise has evaporated much of the hope that I had for the people of Pakistan. It comes at a time when Musharraf's commitment to peace and democracy is becoming increasingly questionable. Bhutto represented a realistic opportunity to return Pakistan to being a stabilizing force in the region. Though I am sure Musharraf will condemn the attack and offer his condolences to her family and supporters, you have to believe that at some level he is relieved that this threat to his leadership is gone.

If you don't think this has anything to do with you, remember that Canadians are fighting right next door to Pakistan, and many of the people their fighting are crossing over from Pakistan.

Musharraf gets kicked out of the club ... again

Well, it seems that our buddy Pervez Musharraf's shenanigans have made him unwelcome in the cozy Commonwealth club. I happened to wander over to the BBC website and found this late breaking news.

"The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group agreed that notwithstanding some progress by the Pakistan government since its last meeting, the situation in Pakistan continued to represent a serious violation of the Commonwealth's fundamental values."
..
It is the second time that Pakistan has been expelled from the Commonwealth. The country was suspended in 1999, after Gen Musharraf seized power in a coup.

What does this mean? Well, it means that Pakistan isn't allowed to attend the Commonwealth meetings and play in the Commonwealth games. That must be crushing. Him and Rudolf have so much in common.

Oh well, what can you do? I guess it's a statement. But I think Pervez has bigger problems than trying to get reinstated into an archaic club of countries with a second rate track meet. Like: trying to convince people that fair elections can be held under a state of emergency, or trying to save his political future after jailing lawyers, judges, political rivals and anybody else who gives a damn about the future of the country.

Pakistan will get reinstated, but with Benazir Bhutto at the helm..

Welcome back, Benazir!

Holy crap. Will that be a one way ticket back to Dubai, Ms. Bhutto?