US wants more aid recognition in Pakistan

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In this photo taken on Aug. 11, 2010, Pakistani volunteers unload food relief from a U.S. Chinook helicopter …


US wants more aid recognition in Pakistan
By SEBASTIAN ABBOT, Associated Press Writer Sebastian Abbot, Associated Press Writer – Sat Sep 25, 9:23 am ET

ISLAMABAD – Concerned that U.S. help to Pakistan is not getting enough recognition, Washington is making a new push to get international aid groups it funds to advertise the fact. But it is meeting resistance from partners worried U.S. branding could prompt Taliban attacks.

The conflict highlights a major challenge for the U.S. as it tries to win hearts and minds in Pakistan, a key ally in the war in neighboring Afghanistan and a deep well of anti-American sentiment. The U.S. has earmarked $7.5 billion in aid over the next five years, but it will do little to sway public opinion if Pakistanis don't know where the money is coming from.

The issue has taken on new urgency in recent weeks as the U.S. has donated nearly $350 million to help Pakistan cope with this summer's devastating floods.

U.S. officials have said they are only focused on saving lives, but the country's special envoy to Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, repeatedly expressed concern last week that the U.S. wasn't getting enough credit for its assistance.

"So much American aid goes through NGOs and the international community ... that people may be less aware of the American aid than they ought to be," said Holbrooke after visiting a relief camp for flood victims in southern Sindh province.