The Bush Administration has asked the United States Congress for an additional funding of $1.2 billion to countries like Pakistan for extending cooperation to the US military.
The Pentagon requisition for payments will have to be made by the secretary of defence in consultation with the secretary of state and the director of the office of management and budget.
The presidential fiscal 2008 request stipulates that a sum of $1.2 billion remain available until expended which may be used for payments to reimburse Pakistan, Jordan, and other key allies, for logistical, military, and other support provided, or to be provided, to the US military operations, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
The defence secretary, in an effort to provide transparency to the process, will not only be seeking detailed documentation of expenses but also reporting on the use of funds to relevant Congressional committees.
The $1.2 billion is in top of the $300 million that has been requested as a part of a 2007 supplemental for the same purpose.
The White House has also sought $100 million for drug interdiction and counter drug activities that would be used to support activities of governments including Armenia,
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan.
The administration has further clarified that this support shall be in addition to support provided for the counter-drug activities of such governments under any other provision of the law.
