US lifts democracy related curbs

WASHINGTON—The United States has lifted democracy-related restrictions on US security assistance for Pakistan following the establishment of a democratically elected government in key South Asian country. In a notification to Congress, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has determined that since a democratically elected government is in place in Pakistan, the US assistance for Pakistan stands immediately resumed.
Until this year, an annual US presidential waiver of the relevant State Foreign Operations law restriction was required to ensure continued flow of assistance for the country but now this law would no longer be applicable on Pakistan. President George Bush waived the restriction last month to pave the way for $ 300 million security assistance for Pakistan.
“Pursuant to the authority vested in me as Secretary of State —- I hereby determine and certify that subsequent to the termination of assistance to the Government of Pakistan after October 12, 1999, a democratically elected government has taken office in Pakistan as of March 25, 2008, permitting immediate resumption of assistance. “I direct that this Determination be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress,” the notification said, according to US Federal Register. Meanwhile, Secretary Rice Wednesday acknowledged Pakistan’s elections and its transition to civilian democracy at a Congressional hearing and said the US has encouraged democratic process in the country.
As the United States moved to lift democracy-related law restrictions on US security aid for Pakistan, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice cited democratic progress in the key South Asian country—Agencies