Ambitions

The US Senate yesterday passed by unanimous consent the Kerry-Lugar bill.

Some important passages of the bill (Courtesy Newyorker) :

SEC. 4. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

It is the policy of the United States— (1) to support the consolidation of democracy, good governance, and rule of law in Pakistan; (2) to support economic growth and development... ; 4) to further the sustainable economic development of Pakistan and the improvement of the living conditions of its citizens, including in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas ...

(a) AUTHORIZATION.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the President, for the purposes of providing assistance to Pakistan under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), the following amounts:

(1) For fiscal year 2009, up to $1,500,000,000.(2) For fiscal year 2010, up to $1,500,000,000.(3) For fiscal year 2011, up to $1,500,000,000.(4) For fiscal year 2012, up to $1,500,000,000.(5) For fiscal year 2013, up to $1,500,000,000.

Lesser nations, when they want to help even lesser nations, fund building of roads, dams, power stations, etc. US of A funds building of a nation. In Pakistan's case, not from a scratch, but from the debris of earlier nation building-efforts. They may succeed even. Ask Iraqis.