PAKISTAN CARES -- ABOUT WHO?

("Tone down Pakistan rhetoric" is an L.A. Times editorial 6/18/11 suggesting "...the fight against Islamic extremists" could be jeopardized. They raise important concerns in a complex situation.)

Unexpected news has been forthcoming about most recent Pakistani government actions. I hadn't intended to write more on this topic but Pakistan has arrested five men who assisted the U. S. CIA in locating Bin Laden, residing in a secret compound where he was eliminated. Pakistan officials are reportedly angry they had not been forewarned of the U.S. special operations.

One of the issues this blog's previous article, "Duplicity." questioned was Pakistan's duplicitous actions. Their jailing these men serves to increase my apprehension about that nation's true relationship with the United States, their attitude toward the Taliban and terrorism.

This CBS News World Watch account provides additional specific information including:

"U.S. officials have begun to question whether America should continue to send aid to Pakistan, which so far has amounted to $20 billion since 2001."

What could we do with those $$$ in the U.S.?

The news source quotes a statement by Sen. Dick Luger (R-Ind.), the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Senator describes Pakistan's complex government as consisting of various civilian, military and security groups each of which may erratically control the country. Who is in control at any given time varies and the nation's position on issues can rapidly reverse just as does who's in charge.

Are our taxpayer billions helping bring stability to Pakistan's government, keeping their nuclear capability from becoming dangerously active, or do officials keep the monies?

Certainly Pakistan's behavior toward our nation often seems to be based on conflicting allegiances involving the countries surrounding their borders with actions contrary to U.S. efforts against terrorism.

This is just one of several nations accepting billions of our tax dollars. We need to pay attention to the amount each nation is receiving, how and where that money is used.