20000211

Clinton seeks

$3.5m for drugs

control, law & order

in Pakistan

WASHINGTON: US President Bill Clinton has requested for $3.5 million for narcotics control and law enforcement in Pakistan.

It is part of $20 million Clinton has provided for South Asia under economic support fund (ESF), in his fiscal 2001 budget document.

Other heads for which the fund would be used include $1 million toward funding programmes to promote regional stability and confidence building between the peoples of Pakistan and India.

Besides, Clinton has also sought from Congress $475,000 for international military education and training IMET for Indian defence personnel.

IMET sought for other countries of the region include $460,000 for Bangladesh, $245000 for Sri Lanka, $200,000 for Nepal and $110,000 for Maldives.

Another $5 million would go for women and child welfare programmes in South Asia like increasing participation of women in political decision making and ensuring their legal rights, and checking trafficking in women and children in the region.

Yet another $5 million are for democracy programmes in the region like promotion of impartial judicial systems, human rights commissions, and professional parliaments.

The ESF supports the economic and foreign policy interests of the United States by providing financial assistance to allies and countries in transition to democracy.ÑPPI