US cancels $495.3m Pakistani debt

[gldstwmn]

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...7-7-2004_pg1_3

By Zamir Haider

ISLAMABAD: The governments of United States and Pakistan on Friday signed a debt cancellation agreement worth $495.3 million in official government-to-government debt owed by Pakistan to the United States.

Dr Waqar Masood Khan, secretary Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and Ms Nancy J Powell, US ambassador to Pakistan, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.

“This agreement marks a continuation in the United States’ partnership with the government and people of Pakistan,” Ms Powell said on the occasion. She said that her government’s continued commitment to Pakistan was a vote of confidence in the economic stewardship of the Pakistani government and the intelligence, energy, and resourcefulness of the Pakistani people.

Ms Powell said that agreement culminated an extraordinary period of debt relief and emergency financial assistance that included a $600 million cash transfer in November 2001 for balance of payments and budget support, the August 2002 rescheduling of the entire stock of $3 billion of bilateral official debt over 38 years, and the April 2003 elimination of $1 billion in bilateral debt. “With today’s debt cancellation agreement amounting to $495.3 million, the total outstanding US debt (including non-Official Development Assistance) debt) will amount to $1.6 billion,” Dr Waqar Masood said.

Here comes Osama?

[dissention]

"Hello, Osama, make yourself at home. For the next few months, we're going to allow you to stay in this marvelous suite. We've hired you you're own chef and maid, the television has 195 channels for your viewing pleasure, and the beds are lined with sheets made of the finest Egyptian cotton. However, we ask that you not shower very frequently, continue to grow your beard, and generally make a nice mess of yourself. On and around the end of October, we'll bring a limousine to pick you up. You will be taken to an undisclosed desert location where a Fox News cameraman will be waiting. An ensemble of about twelve actors will also be waiting for you, dressed as American troops and holding toy guns. When we escort you out of the limo, just rant and rave any old Arabic thing that come sinto your mind and we will pretend to capture you. Fox News will get it all on tape and you will then be escorted to another undisclosed location until after George Bush secures reelection. Then we'll release you into the custody of your family, pending trial."

[estranged4life]

"Hello, Martha, make yourself at home. For the next 5 months, we're going to allow you to stay in this marvelous suite. We've hired you you're own probation officer and hand puppet, the television has 2 channels for your viewing pleasure, and the beds are lined with sheets made of the finest K-Mart bargain bin polyester. However, we ask that you not to shower very frequently, continue to grow your mustache, and generally make a nice ass of yourself. On and around the end of December, we'll bring a 1976 Ford Pinto Station-wagon to pick you up. You will be taken to an undisclosed Upper East Coast location where a Reality TV show cameraman will be waiting. An ensemble of about 3 actors will also be waiting for you, dressed as the NEW Three Stooges (Bush, Kerry & Nader) and holding themselves. When we escort you out of the Pinto, just rant and rave any old Rich East Coast elitist thing that comes into your mind and we will pretend to have incarcerated you. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC & ESPN will get it all on tape and you will then be dropkicked to another undisclosed location (ie-Flo-ri-I-da) until after Kenny McCormick secures reelection. Then we'll release you into the custody of your family, pending trial...NOT!"

Brian "OH my God, They incarcerated Martha...You Bastards" j.