Pakistan's ambassador to the United States voiced hope Monday that a rift over suspension of military aid would not spiral downward and stressed that most US assistance to his country was still coming. The United States has suspended $800 million in security aid as it presses for greater counter-terrorism co-operation from Pakistan, which has faced intense criticism after al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed on its soil in May.
But Ambassador Husain Haqqani said civilian aid continued to flow and that "so far all suggestions for an aid cut-off for Pakistan have been defeated" as the US Congress looks at funding for next year. "A pause or hold in delivery of some elements of military assistance do not constitute aid suspension or cut-off and we do not expect such a decision," Haqqani said.
"We are working on continuing co-operation and several meetings are scheduled over the next few days to move forward positively," he said. "Pakistan and the United States are two democracies committed to co-operation in eliminating terrorism and to stability and progress in South Asia. We need to build trust that has suffered over the years and I am confident we will be able to do that over time," he said.
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