Western nations reconsider Pakistan aid (but not us, nope!)

[babylonsister]

Western nations reconsider Pakistan aid

By TOBY STERLING
Associated Press Writer


AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- The Dutch government froze millions of dollars in environmental and educational assistance for Pakistan on Monday, as Western countries reviewed their aid to the nation in response to President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's decision to impose emergency rule.

Pakistan's most important ally, the United States, criticized Musharraf and said aid would be reviewed, but indicated that it was unlikely that money for the war on terrorism would be at risk.

"It's a hypothetical," President Bush said Monday, while calling on Musharraf to hold elections and relinquish his army post as soon as possible. "I certainly hope he does take my advice."

Bush, in his first public comments on the crisis after a meeting at the White House with Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, would not discuss what the U.S. might do - including any cuts in aid to Pakistan - if Musharraf ignores his request.

But the president praised Pakistan's cooperation in the war on terror and said "all we can do is continue to work with the president" trying to influence his behavior.

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