Cut in aid to Pakistan looms

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES (AP):

Congress may consider cutting the almost US$1.3 billion in annual aid to Pakistan if it turns out the Islamabad government knew where Osama bin Laden was hiding, the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee said yesterday.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, said she wants more details from CIA director Leon Panetta and others about the Pakistani government's role. Feinstein spoke to reporters about the raid that killed bin Laden early Monday and the questions raised by his hiding place deep inside Pakistan.

The number two House Demo-cratic leader, Steny Hoyer of Maryland, said if Pakistan doesn't ease doubts about its dedication to fighting terrorists, Congress should explore whether it makes sense to reduce United States (US) aid to that country.

"I don't know whether it would be effective or counterproductive, we'll have to look at that," he told reporters, adding, "It needs to be looked into."

Incredulous lawmakers are pressing Pakistan for answers to two simple questions: What did its army and intelligence agents know of bin Laden's whereabouts and when did they know it?

Fortified compound

The al-Qaida terrorist leader behind the September 11, 2001 attacks, lived and died in a massive, fortified compound built in 2005 and located on the outskirts of Abbottabad, miles from the capital of Islamabad. It stood just a half-mile from the Kakul Military Academy, Pakistan's equivalent of West Point, and close to various army regiments.

Amid the high praise for the successful US military operation, congressional Republicans and Demo-crats questioned whether bin Laden was hiding in plain sight, with Pakistani military and intelligence operatives either totally unaware of his location or willfully ignoring his presence to protect him.