WASHINGTON, D.C. – As a stipulation for receiving billions of dollars in foreign aid from the United States over the next five years, Pakistan would be required to grant U.S. officials direct access to Pakistani Nationals involved in nuclear proliferation, including Dr. A.Q. Khan. The requirement is stated in an amendment offered by Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX 10) during Wednesday’s Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.
Dr. Khan, widely regarded as the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear program, has confessed to helping arm Pakistan, Libya, Iran and North Korea with nuclear weapons. Rep. McCaul’s original amendment, which named Dr. Khan and asked Pakistan to monitor his movements, was not accepted by committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA).
But the amendment did pressure Berman to accept McCaul’s language requiring U.S. direct access to "Pakistani Nationals". The Congressional Record will indicate that "Pakistani Nationals" is a reference to Dr. Khan.
"If we are going to provide this kind of funding we should at least be entitled to ask Dr. Khan directly questions about the damage and the extent, expanse of his proliferation," Rep. McCaul asserted during the hearing.
The Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act would triple U.S. economic aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year until 2013, help stabilize its civilian government, support national and provincial institutions and strengthen Pakistan's education and judicial systems. It also authorizes military aid to bolster the capability of Pakistan's military forces battling terrorist groups. The bill now moves to the full House for approval.
Congressman McCaul, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Intelligence Subcommittee, traveled to Pakistan last year to meet with then-President Pervez Musharraf. He toured its border with Afghanistan a short distance Pakistan’s Tribal Areas which have become safe haven for Taliban and al Qaeda operations.
Pakistan’s Tribal Areas are "the biggest threat to our soldiers in Afghanistan and perhaps the biggest threat to our homeland security," Rep. McCaul expressed to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a hearing in April, in which Secretary Clinton agreed aid to Pakistan should be conditional.
