Obama seeks $111bln for Afghanistan for 2012

[Admin Khan]

WASHINGTON (PAN): The US President, Barack Obama, has proposed spending $111 billion in Afghanistan in 2012, including $4.5 billion in aid. Last year, the government asked for $160 billion for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Of this, $2.2 billion will go to priority sectors such as governance, rule of law, counternarcotics, agriculture, economic growth, health, and education. The proposal was sent to the Congress early this week.
Another $111 million will pay for the infrastructure which supports the US government civilian and diplomatic presence and also for educational and cultural exchange programmes with civil society, the budget proposals said.
Afghanistan gets the largest chunk, $2.3 billion, of the $5.3 billion in core assistance to three critical countries, which includes Pakistan, $1.9 billion, and Iraq, $1 billion.
The budget provides another $1 billion to sustain an expanded civilian presence -1,500 staff over the next two years – to support the Afghan government.
It also includes $1.2 billion for targeted development and governance programmes that will support stabilisation and counterinsurgency efforts, such as cash for work and Provincial Reconstruction Teams, as well as counternarcotics efforts that promote alternative livelihoods to poppy production.
The budget supports large infrastructure programmes that have a combination of short-term stabilisation and long-term economic growth outcomes.
Another $107 billion is slated for military operations.

Obama seeks $111bln for Afghanistan for 2012 | Pajhwok Afghan News

[BarakzaiAbdali]

WASHINGTON (PAN): The US President, Barack Obama, has proposed spending $111 billion in Afghanistan in 2012, including $4.5 billion in aid. Last year, the government asked for $160 billion for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Of this, $2.2 billion will go to priority sectors such as governance, rule of law, counternarcotics, agriculture, economic growth, health, and education. The proposal was sent to the Congress early this week.
Another $111 million will pay for the infrastructure which supports the US government civilian and diplomatic presence and also for educational and cultural exchange programmes with civil society, the budget proposals said.
Afghanistan gets the largest chunk, $2.3 billion, of the $5.3 billion in core assistance to three critical countries, which includes Pakistan, $1.9 billion, and Iraq, $1 billion.
The budget provides another $1 billion to sustain an expanded civilian presence -1,500 staff over the next two years – to support the Afghan government.
It also includes $1.2 billion for targeted development and governance programmes that will support stabilisation and counterinsurgency efforts, such as cash for work and Provincial Reconstruction Teams, as well as counternarcotics efforts that promote alternative livelihoods to poppy production.
The budget supports large infrastructure programmes that have a combination of short-term stabilisation and long-term economic growth outcomes.
Another $107 billion is slated for military operations.

Obama seeks $111bln for Afghanistan for 2012 | Pajhwok Afghan News

What a horrible waste of American tax dollars (almost as much of a waste as the tax dollars that go to Egypt, Saudi, and Israel). You have a broken medical system here and there are jobless riots on the verge of occuring in Connecticut and people want to send money to Afghanistan.

[faye]

b.a. the biggest waste was what they have been doing for the last 10 years. don't you think the invaders, especially america, as they initiated the invasion, need to clean up their mess? i am sorry for the poor americans but i am more sympathetic to iraq and afghanistan.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

b.a. the biggest waste was what they have been doing for the last 10 years. don't you think the invaders, especially america, as they initiated the invasion, need to clean up their mess? i am sorry for the poor americans but i am more sympathetic to iraq and afghanistan.

Hi Faye,

I think that you have a point on the moral level. The issue may be resolvable in the form of war reparations minus any eternal guilt. However, when military presence is coupled to money, that combination appears to spell catastrophe for both partners because it just gaurantees American intervention in their affairs. We see that even when the military presence is as a hidden hand per Cameron Munter's (Ambassador to Pakistan) comment regarding how the money that America spends on Pakistan permits them to have a say in Pakistan's internal affairs.

Self sufficiency is a virtue and the other problem is that we do not want our parents' native nation to become Pakistan part 2 which subsists economically solely because of American money propping up the government. I see no problem with private citizens such as myself contriburing something of their personal wealth to the Afghan effort... but I feel fifth column citizenry only encourages our presence in places that we ought not have gone in the first place.

The British appear to have emulated the Romans and built lasting edifices and systems in places they ruled/imperialized... but the Americans appear to not have their MO down when it comes to this.

For example, my father is an official/engineer in the defense department and oversees Army Corps of Engineer projects (predominantly here in the USA per his preference to avoid any dealings with the effeminate Afghan elite that did nothing for their country but now have returned to enslave the bare foot and destitute Afghans that bravely fought the Russians) but he also helps rework disasters like this:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...092702134.html

[faye]

i saw that in a documentary. probably done by one of paul bremers mates.
so why do you think america is going to spend so much in afghanistan? is it so they can be on the scene to keep control over afghanistans resouces? they would't be doing it if they are not getting something back from it. is it so they can use afghanistan for a base so's they are near iran, if or when they decide to invade there?
i just read that the texans gained more in iraq ,from the oil, than the jews, who are very upset about that. not sure if that is true but i figure your economic downturn was no accident.

[graveyardofempires]

we dont want your blood money Obama
these bunch of criminals are giving Afghans this haram money for killing invading and plundering the country.

this money is likely to have come from Opium trade

[Admin Khan]

What a horrible waste of American tax dollars (almost as much of a waste as the tax dollars that go to Egypt, Saudi, and Israel). You have a broken medical system here and there are jobless riots on the verge of occuring in Connecticut and people want to send money to Afghanistan.

Well said BA.

Not to mention, they are firing approximately 5,000 teachers in NYS alone. The largest urban university in the USA(world?)is struggling with funds.

Why they don't realize is that they are giving billions away to war lords and crooks. If all they are goin to do is rebuild Northern Afghanistan, they should expect hell on ground. If they want to win the hearts of Helmandis and Kandaharis(The two most dangerous provinces) they need to do a lot more.

[Master Khan]

they have wasted alot of money on this useless war, alot of people lost their lifes because of US, the goverment is corrupt anyway, this money is useless

take your money and troops and just go away from our land and leave us alone.

[Shlombay]

Barakzai abdali and admin khan both of you dont know what your talking about. The us economy is strong dont be fooled by the smoke screen. We are still the worlds largest economy and the worlds most powerful country. We still have the best universities and the most rich people and we are still the number 1 destination for immigrants.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

Barakzai abdali and admin khan both of you dont know what your talking about. The us economy is strong dont be fooled by the smoke screen. We are still the worlds largest economy and the worlds most powerful country. We still have the best universities and the most rich people and we are still the number 1 destination for immigrants.

Strongest does not equate to invincible. For example, if Admin Khan, You, and I were standing in a room and the three of us were shot at... the one shot the least and in the least critical places may be the strongest... but he still is shot.

Also, that doesn't equate to wasting money on a useless endeavor. I say, let Baygham Khan, Yourself, Osho, and Toramana sell their feudal lands and send all the money you want there. I refuse to invest a cent willingly in Afghanistan.

[Shlombay]

strongest does not equate to invincible. For example, if admin khan, you, and i were standing in a room and the three of us were shot at... The one shot the least and in the least critical places may be the strongest... But he still is shot.

Also, that doesn't equate to wasting money on a useless endeavor. I say, let baygham khan, yourself, osho, and toramana sell their feudal lands and send all the money you want there. I refuse to invest a cent willingly in afghanistan.

your last part makes no sense. Please carefully elaborate. Why do you refuse to invest. This is why i dont get you people you live in a secular nation. You make money in a secular nation. Yet you hate secularism? The usa is the worlds most powerful country and i am honored to attend a university most people die to attend. I have spoken to top policy makers of afghanistan and they all wish well for afghans. Sir the usa is trying to help you and it is trying to help you from punjabi dominated taliban isi.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

your last part makes no sense. Please carefully elaborate. Why do you refuse to invest. This is why i dont get you people you live in a secular nation. You make money in a secular nation. Yet you hate secularism? The usa is the worlds most powerful country and i am honored to attend a university most people die to attend. I have spoken to top policy makers of afghanistan and they all wish well for afghans. Sir the usa is trying to help you and it is trying to help you from punjabi dominated taliban isi.

I agree with you. I meant invest tax dollars in foreign nations and nation building exercises that drain American treasure and cause the loss of American lives. I do not want to free Bosnian Muslims... I could care less about protecting the tyrannical saudi regime... Egypt can disappear. Afghanistan does not deserve a penny of American tax dollar investment is what I meant. You or I, as private citizens can do whatever we want as long as it does not bring blowback to America.

[Shlombay]

i agree with you. I meant invest tax dollars in foreign nations and nation building exercises that drain american treasure and cause the loss of american lives. I do not want to free bosnian muslims... I could care less about protecting the tyrannical saudi regime... Egypt can disappear. Afghanistan does not deserve a penny of american tax dollar investment is what i meant. You or i, as private citizens can do whatever we want as long as it does not bring blowback to america.

sir i love america and i am willing to join its army to defend it if necessary but i also love afghanistan sir. Sir why do you not understand? Afganistan does deserve american tax dollars. Why do you think that way? We americans are the world police its our job to save the lives of people. If we did not exists thousands of pakis would have died it was us who donated them when they got hit with the floods. We have our interests but we do care barakzaiabdali.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

sir i love america and i am willing to join its army to defend it if necessary but i also love afghanistan sir. Sir why do you not understand? Afganistan does deserve american tax dollars. Why do you think that way? We americans are the world police its our job to save the lives of people. If we did not exists thousands of pakis would have died it was us who donated them when they got hit with the floods. We have our interests but we do care barakzaiabdali.

Exactly, no permission was taken from the American people to send any money to Pakistan. It was a tragedy that a single tax dollar went to that corrupt and backwards nation state. It is even worse that the Kerry Lugar Bill ensures our money goes into that snakepit. We are the world's police but we do a bad job at it... we propped up Mubarak right up until his people surprised us and decided to get rid of him. We were pissed off when Tunisia threw out their dictator and now we are still supporting Saudi tyranny so that one day, another young man can become the next Bin Ladin and bring more trouble to America's soil. You can send all your money there and can try to talk me into sending mine... but it is completely backward to send our money there when our healthcare system is sputtering along on life support.

[Shlombay]

Exactly, no permission was taken from the American people to send any money to Pakistan. It was a tragedy that a single tax dollar went to that corrupt and backwards nation state. It is even worse that the Kerry Lugar Bill ensures our money goes into that snakepit. We are the world's police but we do a bad job at it... we propped up Mubarak right up until his people surprised us and decided to get rid of him. We were pissed off when Tunisia threw out their dictator and now we are still supporting Saudi tyranny so that one day, another young man can become the next Bin Ladin and bring more trouble to America's soil. You can send all your money there and can try to talk me into sending mine... but it is completely backward to send our money there when our healthcare system is sputtering along on life support.

SIR I agree with you but SIR you need to realize that we have interests WE CAN NOT TOLERATE PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN. IT IS AGAINST OUR INTERESTS. WE ARE POWERFUL AND WE HAVE INTERESTS. SIR our job is developing human lives if people are dying in Afghanistan its good to save them and us have a fever for 4 days instead of 2 days. DO you get how I think sir? Sir I am very patriotic but you need to be more open minded on this issue.