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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US Congress Afghanistan (TV)
HEADLINE: Taliban Likely Benefiting From US Aid to Afghanistan
TEASER: SIGAR tells lawmakers aid provides limited influence
PUBLISHED AT: 11/14/2023 at 6:37 pm
BYLINE: Katherine Gypson
PRODUCERS: Katherine Gypson
CONTRIBUTING:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Aru Pande, Jepsen
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AP, VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:27
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: ))
((INTRO))
[[The United States has provided nearly $2 billion in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan since the Taliban took control in August 2021. Oversight officials told U.S. lawmakers Tuesday it is impossible to prevent the Taliban from benefiting from that funding. VOA’s congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson has more.]]
((NARRATOR))
As U.S. lawmakers weigh billions of dollars in aid to assist Ukraine’s fight against Russia and Israel’s conflict with Hamas, there are new questions about the billions in aid sent to Afghanistan since U.S. forces withdrew from the country in August of 2021.
((Radio version: Republican Michael McCaul is the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee))
((Rep. Michael McCaul, Republican))
“We know the Taliban are engaged in theft and diversion of these funds to serve their malign purposes. What troubles me is the Biden administration is pursuing a policy of engagement at all costs.”
((NARRATOR))
The United States is the single largest international donor to Afghanistan, but John
Sopko, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, told lawmakers Tuesday he cannot guarantee the funds are going to the right places.
((Radio version: John Sopko is the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction))
((John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction))
“We have documented that the Taliban are receiving U.S. funds. We haven't been able to identify the exact amount. And as I mentioned in my statement, you know, thieves usually don't advertise how much they steal.”
((NARRATOR))
U.S. lawmakers acknowledge there would be a humanitarian disaster if the U.S. walked away from Afghanistan.
((Radio version: Congressman Gregory Meeks is the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee))
((Rep. Gregory Meeks, Democrat))
“It is critical that we preserve the space to engage with the Taliban where we must, but I don't believe we will get better policy outcomes by denying that reality.”
((NARRATOR))
Earlier this year, the United Nations estimated that a predicted 30% drop in international aid would have devastating consequences on Afghanistan’s economy. Sopko told lawmakers cutting off aid would also impact U.S. policy.
((John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction))
“People will just be starving and dying on the street. Whatever control or influence we have — which I think is minimal — will disappear if you cut that.”
((NARRATOR))
The International Rescue Committee warned earlier this week that Pakistan’s decision to forcibly return tens of thousands of Afghan refugees – many of whom have been living in Pakistan for decades – could heighten the crisis.
((Radio version: Nancy Dent is the associate director of Communications Asia at the International Rescue Committee))
((Nancy Dent, International Rescue Committee))
“The country cannot afford to absorb the thousands of families arriving and it is likely this is going to stretch the economy even further. So, the situation for Afghanistan as a whole is also likely to deteriorate.”
((NARRATOR))
A group of U.S. lawmakers plan to push Pakistan to reverse that decision.
((Katherine Gypson, VOA News))
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington
Embargo DateNovember 14, 2023 20:38 EST
BylineKatherine Gypson
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
