The White House, President George W. Bush Click to print this document

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 28, 2008

Fact Sheet: President Bush Meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani
President Bush Reaffirms Commitment To Expanding A Long-Term Strategic Partnership With Pakistan Focusing On Countering Violent Extremism And Furthering Economic Prosperity, Education, Energy Security, And Development

     Fact sheet President Bush Meets with Prime Minister Gillani of Pakistan

The United States will continue to work with the democratically elected government of Pakistan as we pursue extremists who are trying to kill innocent Pakistanis and weaken the government that is working to improve the economy, create jobs, and provide education and healthcare to Pakistani citizens.  We support the Pakistani government as it moves forward with reforms that will deliver the benefits of democracy to the Pakistani people.

To demonstrate our broad-based commitment, President Bush has pledged substantial food aid to benefit the people of Pakistan.  Over the past year, Pakistan has experienced a sharp 70 percent increase in staple food prices.  The United States will work to provide a major food security assistance package of over $115 million responding to short and long-term needs.  This is consistent with the President's approach to addressing global food security by meeting immediate needs and investing in long-term solutions.

President Bush also reaffirmed the United States' commitment to improving governance and economic opportunity in Pakistan through the establishment of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones.  The United States and Pakistan will continue economic dialogue on August 11, including discussion of the status of ongoing bilateral investment treaty negotiations, with energy and trade dialogues planned for the fall. 

Through our partnership with Pakistan, the United States and the international community are targeting extremists and their allies who are destabilizing to Pakistan and Pakistan's neighbors.

Pakistan Remains A Key Ally In The Global War On Terror, And U.S. Economic And Military Assistance Is Needed To Demonstrate Our Desire For A Broad-Based Partnership 

Since 2006, we have provided on average $1.59 billion annually for the Government of Pakistan and its citizens.  This amounts to $4.8 billion over the past three years – and over $11 billion total since 2001.  This includes Coalition Support Funds, Security Assistance, and Humanitarian/Economic Aid. 

 

Coalition Support Funds

Security Assistance

Humanitarian/ Economic Aid

FY 2006

$862 million

$400 million

$677 million

FY 2007

$613 million

$398 million

$542 million

FY 2008

$373 million (to date)

$500 million

$417 million

Total

$1,848 million

$1,298 million

$1,636 million

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