Philippines would have US military aid cut in half under Bush administration budget proposal
2008-02-05
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Philippines would have its military financing cut by half under a proposal the Bush administration sent to Congress on Monday.
President George W. Bush requested $15 million (euro 10 million) in military aid be sent to the Philippines next year. He requested less than that last year, but the U.S. Congress boosted military aid to almost $30 million (euro 20 million).
Indonesia, another country the White House deems crucial to fighting extremists in Asia, would receive about the same as this year's estimate, nearly $16 million (euro 11 million), under Bush's budget proposal.
Bush also proposed $500,000 (euro 337,000) in military financing for Vietnam, a fast-growing country the United States is trying to establish closer ties with after decades of hostility. The United States is expected to spend nothing on military aid to the communist-led country this year, according to details released by the State Department.
Monday's request by the Bush administration is the start of a long budget process. The Senate and the House of Representatives must make their own recommendations on aid; negotiators from each side would then negotiate a compromise bill before sending it to the president to sign into law.
As Bush, a Republican, enters his last year in office, he faces strong opposition from the Democratic party, which controls Congress. That means there is no guarantee that the budget will be financed at the levels he has requested.
The Philippines, which was under U.S. control for the first half of the 20th century, and Indonesia have previously had parts of their U.S. military aid linked to improving their human rights records.
U.S. officials have expressed worry over a wave of killings of left-wing activists blamed on Philippine government forces. Army officials say the military has no policy of targeting civilians.
The United States eliminated military ties with Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, in 1999 to protest alleged rights abuses by Indonesian troops in breakaway East Timor. The United States lifted the ban in 2005.
A congressional aide said it is too early to tell what exactly the money meant for military financing would be used for.
Bush also is proposing $750,000 (euro 506,000) in military aid for Cambodia. The United States estimates it will spend about $200,000 (euro 135,000) on Cambodia this year.
2008-02-05
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Philippines would have its military financing cut by half under a proposal the Bush administration sent to Congress on Monday.
President George W. Bush requested $15 million (euro 10 million) in military aid be sent to the Philippines next year. He requested less than that last year, but the U.S. Congress boosted military aid to almost $30 million (euro 20 million).
Indonesia, another country the White House deems crucial to fighting extremists in Asia, would receive about the same as this year's estimate, nearly $16 million (euro 11 million), under Bush's budget proposal.
Bush also proposed $500,000 (euro 337,000) in military financing for Vietnam, a fast-growing country the United States is trying to establish closer ties with after decades of hostility. The United States is expected to spend nothing on military aid to the communist-led country this year, according to details released by the State Department.
Monday's request by the Bush administration is the start of a long budget process. The Senate and the House of Representatives must make their own recommendations on aid; negotiators from each side would then negotiate a compromise bill before sending it to the president to sign into law.
As Bush, a Republican, enters his last year in office, he faces strong opposition from the Democratic party, which controls Congress. That means there is no guarantee that the budget will be financed at the levels he has requested.
The Philippines, which was under U.S. control for the first half of the 20th century, and Indonesia have previously had parts of their U.S. military aid linked to improving their human rights records.
U.S. officials have expressed worry over a wave of killings of left-wing activists blamed on Philippine government forces. Army officials say the military has no policy of targeting civilians.
The United States eliminated military ties with Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, in 1999 to protest alleged rights abuses by Indonesian troops in breakaway East Timor. The United States lifted the ban in 2005.
A congressional aide said it is too early to tell what exactly the money meant for military financing would be used for.
Bush also is proposing $750,000 (euro 506,000) in military aid for Cambodia. The United States estimates it will spend about $200,000 (euro 135,000) on Cambodia this year.
12 comments:
Thank you, America. Cambodia will embrace you with hug and kisses as well. Welcome to Cambodia, America.
That shows the heart felt and compassion of Bush (America?) for Cambodia.
Bush tries to strenghten Hun Sen government to kill political opposition parties and to abuse the human rights. So where is Bush standing for democracy in Cambodia? America supports dictators around the world as long as they see for their interest. No need to claim for democracy. There's no democracy around the world which American tries to promote, but to create the dictators.
I'm not going to vote for democrat or republican this term. Either one of them is doing nonething about Cambodia. They just help to promote Hun Sen and his regime.
I advise khmer people do not need to go to the voting station. It wastes your time. Whoever wins is the same situation. I don't believe any of the parties do good for Cambodia.
11:31 AM,
i will be behind you 100%.
stop politicizing, US like constructive criticism and cooperation, not taking side. they are not in the position to do so.
it is the Cambodian people that suffered enough already, not the politicians. can't deprive the cambodian people anymore. all politicians need to cooperate and work together, enough already.
thank you America. there is more to cambodia than the bickering politicians, who in my opinions, ought to be getting along with one another and stop fight each other like small, undisciplined children. thank you seeing that cambodian people have suffered for too long already because of their leaders fighting for power to control one another without any regard for the innocent, majority of the general population who just want to do business, feed their family, send their children to school, make money, etc..., i'm sure, the general people are so sick and tired of their leaders inability to get along. i am for any leader who advocates cooperation in the name of national reconciliation to pave way for development of the kingdom for everyone to enjoy (by everyone, i mean tourists and natives alike). may god bless Cambodia and american people for their asistance and supports. khmer-america friendship forever. i love you, america.
This is just a drop in the bucket, folks, particular for the Cambodian's cooperation in combatting war on terror.
When the killing machines began in the late 1970s during Khmer Rouge reign of terror ... was the United States of America, at least in part, make any effort to offer a suggestion to the world community to intervene -- conceivably confront the Communist China's involvement -- to save those persihed souls? If they (U.S.)did not intervene at the time while OUR people went through those tumultuous times and tribulations, which wiped out the vast majority of Cambodian people from massacre and starvation ... what would make you think that the United States will save Cambodia now, since the U.S. has notorious reputation of underpinning dictatorial's policy?
All of you are correct, This is my time of my new generation.
I am a simple khmer person,I just want to say thank you to United State of America, And all other nations for friendship not for enemy.May God bless you all.
In order to capture a tiger,you have to lor a tiger in to the cave fist.in this case U.S.is doing the right thing by not creating more problem which only make people suffering.you can not make anyone happy in anway,but this is the best way."ANANIKUM AMERICA RULES!"
During the CHIN dinasty in China, one of the best chinnesse general said "if we know nothing from foe, than we will lose 100% in the war, but if we know all from them , than you can capture 100% in the war. So, what the US do maybe the right thing for the future because a lot of Cambodian like America.
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