{"id":391634,"date":"2010-03-04T09:03:49","date_gmt":"2010-03-04T14:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.disinfo.com\/?p=23891"},"modified":"2010-03-04T09:03:49","modified_gmt":"2010-03-04T14:03:49","slug":"u-s-plans-1-4bn-media-%e2%80%98aid%e2%80%99-for-pakistan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/391634","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Plans $1.4bn Media \u2018Aid\u2019 For Pakistan"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Flag_of_Pakistan\"From Emirates Business 24\/7<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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The Obama<\/a> administration sent lawmakers this week a plan for $1.45 billion (Dh5.32bn) in aid for Pakistan<\/a> this year, funding media<\/a> campaigns to counter extremist views as well as water, energy and other projects.<\/p>\n

The 2010 spending plan, obtained by Reuters, was sent to lawmakers as part of the US<\/a> administration\u2019s obligation to consult Congress<\/a> over the civilian aid package.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt represents a rebalancing of the military<\/a> and civilian assistance,\u201d Deputy Secretary of State Jack Lew told Reuters of the package, part of a $7.5bn, five-year aid plan passed by Congress<\/a> for Pakistan<\/a> last year. There is strong anti-American sentiment in Pakistan<\/a> and the hope is this new assistance will help ease that tension.<\/p>\n

About $50 million is set aside for a \u201ccomprehensive communications strategy\u201d to counter extremist views and strengthen Pakistani institutions and moderate voices, the report to Congress<\/a> said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis effort will reduce the ability of Al Qaeda<\/a> and other extremists to influence public perceptions and attitudes and support Pakistan<\/a>\u2019s people and government<\/a> as they establish a more secure, prosperous and lasting state,\u201d the report said. This would include a so-called rapid response team to monitor Pakistani and regional media<\/a> and \u201cswiftly correct inaccurate reporting,\u201d of which the US<\/a> complains it is often a target\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[continues at Emirates Business 24\/7<\/a>]<\/p>\n

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