No one interested in $50m US fund for Swat’

[LRE]

Monday, March 30, 2009
By Rauf Klasra

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador Anne W Patterson made a shocking revelation on Sunday that $50 million exclusively meant for the rehabilitation and development work in Swat and Northern Areas was lying unused at the US embassy in Islamabad, because the quarters concerned were not interested.

The huge amount, readily available and exclusively meant for the rehabilitation and development of the troubled areas, is just being wasted. Patterson was quoted as telling by former PPP senator Enver Baig during a visit to his residence on Sunday.

She said they needed some security, so that the people could go in those areas to start the development work. She said they needed access. But response was not coming, she added. She went to meet Baig to show her respect after his retirement from the Senate. Baig used to interact with the Americans on behalf of Benazir Bhutto.

Talking to The News, Baig said Patterson had told him that a readily available fund of $50 million was available with the US embassy and wondered how could they avoid use of such a huge amount. He said this fund could also be used to help the displaced persons of the militancy-hit areas and to generate job opportunities for hundreds of people in those areas.

Earlier, during her discussion with Baig, Patterson said the US wanted to assist Pakistan in flushing out the extremists. She said: “We fully understand the religious sentiments of Muslims, but at the same time, the suicide bombings and extremism too do not depict what Islam preaches. The US is ready to give economic assistance to help eradicate this menace.”

Baig told her that the US must engage with all the political players in Pakistan, as the war on terror could only be fought collectively. Baig said that until and unless the people supported this war, armed forces would not be able to win for Pakistan or the international community. Patterson said the Americans were engaged with all the political players in the country and efforts were being made to carry everyone onboard, because it was in the interest of Pakistan and the international community.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=169842