U.S. suspends $800M in Pakistan aid

July 10, 2011

CBC – 2 hours 32 minutes ago

The United States is suspending some $800 million in military aid to Pakistan

amid increased tensions between between the two countries since the raid that

killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

U.S. President Barack Obama's chief of staff Daley confirmed the move in

a Sunday television interview, saying his country's relationship with Pakistan

is " difficult " and must be made " to work over time. "

" Until we get through these difficulties, we will hold back some of the money

that the American taxpayers have committed to give them, " Daley told ABC's This

Week.

Pakistan receives some $1.3 billion from the United States in aid every year.

But the New York Times reported senior U.S. officials as saying the Obama

administration is upset with Pakistan for expelling American military trainers

and wants tougher action against the Taliban and others fighting American

soldiers in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has been widely criticized by U.S. military and intelligence officials

for not being fully committed to weeding out extremists.

The mistrust is so great that U.S. operatives did not inform Pakistani

authorities about the May 2 mission deep into Pakistani territory that killed

bin Laden, the world's most wanted man for his role in orchestrating the Sept.

11, 2001 attacks.

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