After bin Laden killing, Rep. Buchanan ready to get tough with Pakistan

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan today joined the chorus of critics ready to get tough with Pakistan, where U.S. commandos this past week found and killed al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden. Specifically, Buchanan is calling for a freeze on U.S. aid to the country, as officials try to determine who in Pakistan knew what, and when did they know it, about bin Laden taken shelter just yards from a Pakistani military academy.

Here's a news release we just received from Buchanan's office:

Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) today called for a freeze in foreign aid to Pakistan until its leaders can show they had no knowledge of Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts. The September 11th mastermind was located and killed in a sprawling compound just 1,000 feet from Pakistan’s military academy. White House counterterrorism chief John Brennan said bin Laden may have been living there for five to six years.

“While the death of bin Laden represents a historic victory in our fight against terrorism, it also raises serious concerns about Pakistan’s commitment and reliability as an ally in our fight against terrorism,” said Buchanan. “We should freeze all aid to Pakistan until we have assurances that the Pakistani government is not in the business of harboring terrorists.”

Buchanan noted that President Obama requested $3 billion for Pakistan in his 2012 budget plan unveiled earlier this year –adding to the $13 billion in aid given to the country over the past decade.

“Now, more than ever, we need to know where Pakistan stands in the fight against terrorism across the globe,” said Buchanan.