Bush cuts RP military aid

February 23, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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MANILA The Philippines would have its military financing cut by half under a proposal the Bush administration sent to Congress last Monday.

President George W. Bush requested $15 million in military aid be sent to the Philippines next year.
He requested less than that last year, but the US Congress boosted military aid to almost $30 million.

Indonesia, another country the White House deems crucial to fighting extremists in Asia, would receive about the same as this years estimate, nearly $16 million, under Bush?s budget proposal.

Bush also proposed $500,000 in military financing for Vietnam, a fast-growing country the United States is trying to establish closer ties with after decades of hostility.

The Senate and the House of Representatives must make their own recommendations on the proposed budget, then negotiators from each side would work out a compromise bill before sending it to the President to sign into law.

The Philippines and Indonesia have previously had parts of their US military aid linked to improving their human rights records.

US officials have expressed worry over a wave of killings of left-wing activists blamed on Philippine government forces.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the move to cut down US military aid by half would not affect the campaign against insurgency and terrorism.

Esperon said even if the US Congress approves the proposed cut, the country hopes to get more in terms of development funding for infrastructure projects.

He also said that the move would not affect the funds that have already been committed by the US to the AFP.

While we recognize some contributions in terms of equipment, we have not seen any cancellation of any on steam funding or funds that are already committed, so we believe we are getting as much as we have expected and we hope to get more for the Philippines,” he said.


Posted by News Team | Filed Under Articles/Stories 

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