Foreign Affairs Committee seeks to condition security aid to Pakistan

The House Foreign Affairs Committee plans to mark up a State Department authorization bill on Wednesday that would apply new barriers to U.S. security aid to Pakistan and other countries. The proposal comes amid ongoing questions about the extent to which Pakistan sheltered 9/11 terrorist Osama bin Laden.

Under the bill, security aid to Pakistan would be conditioned on a certification from the president that Pakistan is "is fully assisting the United States with investigating the existence of an official or unofficial support network in Pakistan for Osama Bin Laden, including by providing the United States with direct access to Osama Bin Laden's relatives in Pakistan and to Osama Bin Laden's former compound in Abottabad and any materials therein."

The bill would also condition security aid on a finding that Pakistan is facilitating entry and exit visas for U.S. visitors engaged in anti-terrorism efforts. Committee staff said $1.5 billion in civilian assistance would be withheld by the bill, and $350 million in security assistance in the form of foreign military financing.

The bill also addresses other countries that Republicans fear might be influenced by terrorist organizations. Certifications that Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen and the Palestinian Authority would be required for any security assistance that could be granted to these countries.