Clinton reflected Obama administration's desire to stabilise Pakistan and Afghanistan in a new report that says the US civilian commitment to the two countries would be enduring and continue long after the current American military engagement in the militancy-hit region concludes. The chief US diplomat stated she would convene a new Strategic Dialogue at the foreign minister level.
"The dialogue will provide a framework for engaging Pakistan on bilateral security, political, social, and economic issues of mutual interest. The first meeting is anticipated by mid-2010." In emphasising Washington's resolve to assist Pakistan, which it abandoned after the Soviet pullout from Afghanistan in 1989, Clinton says democratic transition and widespread public backing for Pakistan's military operations against militants offer a great opportunity.
The Secretary particularly referred to Kerry-Lugar bill under which Pakistan will receive $1.5 billion annually for five years. She said sizable resources would be committed toward high-impact projects addressing the challenges that most affect the Pakistani people like energy and water.
"We will increase direct assistance through Pakistani institutions to enhance their capacity and to bolster economic and political reform," Clinton said in the 30-page report. Later, Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke also urged long-term support for Pakistan at a Congressional hearing.
The US assistance will be geared toward helping Pakistan address immediate energy, water, and related economic crises, thereby deepening our partnership with the Pakistani people and decreasing the appeal of extremists; supporting broader economic and democratic reforms that are necessary to put Pakistan on a path towards sustainable job creation and economic growth, which is necessary for long-term stability and progress.
Sustaining and expanding counterinsurgency assistance to support Pakistan's military, police, and intelligence operations against militant groups. Washington will lead international humanitarian assistance efforts to help displaced Pakistanis with recovery as they return to their homes and rebuild their lives, Clinton said in the report.
The US will also expand its public diplomacy effort to build increased people-to-people contacts, convey American policies effectively, and challenge the extremists' narrative. Pakistan, Clinton notes, is important to American efforts in Afghanistan, to regional stability, and to US national security and foreign policy interests.
"There remains mistrust between our two countries, but we see a critical window of opportunity created by the recent transition to democratic, civilian rule and the broad, sustained political support across Pakistan for military operations against extremists."
"We seek to lead the international community in helping Pakistan overcome the political, economic, and security challenges that threaten its stability," she said. Counting key initiatives, the report says US engagement in the energy sector will respond to the urgent need for more power that is essential to business activity, job creation, and political stability of Pakistan.
Hillary Clinton announced the first phase of the high impact energy program with a contribution of $125 million aimed at increasing electricity output and conserving wasted energy and money. In the field of agriculture, high impact investments will likely include rehabilitation and/or expansion of irrigation and cold storage infrastructure, as well as expansion of links to markets to help make Pakistan's agricultural industry more stable and profitable.
Besides, high impact projects for improvements in agriculture watersheds and potable drinking water will be implemented across several sectors. In the fields of health and education, high impact projects, such as a state of the art trauma center in a vulnerable area or a center of excellence in a major university will serve acute needs, reduce support for extremists, and demonstrate long-term US commitment to help improve the lives of the Pakistani people.
The US assistance will help build capacity in Pakistani Government institutions at the national, provincial and local level and reinforce the government's ability to provide security and economic opportunities for the Pakistani people, particularly in vulnerable areas.
The report says the cost of high impact projects is estimated to be at least $3.5 billion over the next five years to support effort in energy, agriculture, water, transport, health, and education. Reaffirming the Obama administration's commitment to co-operation in the security field, the report says the US will sustain and focus assistance, with the aim of assisting Pakistan's efforts to eliminate safe-havens for terrorists.
The report acknowledges that Pakistan's military operations in 2009 helped reverse insurgent momentum. Pakistan's military and police, it says require significant additional training and support to build on improvements made over the past year. US security assistance programs will improve Pakistan's counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operational capacities.
Key initiatives include: Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund/Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capabilities Fund (PCF/PCCF), which help Pakistan improve its counterinsurgency capabilities and modernise equipment. International Military Education and Training (IMET), which enhances the quality and professionalism of officers and enlisted Pakistani military personnel and helps restore contacts between the US and Pakistani officer corps that collapsed as a result of sanctions imposed from 1990-2001; International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE): Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA); and Coalition Support Funds (CSF).