US anti-terror cash funds dubious regimes: report

WASHINGTON: Billions of dollars in new US military aid authorised in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks has funded regimes with controversial human rights records, a US watchdog group said.

The aid for foreign governments spiked 50 per cent in the three years after 9/11, compared to the three years preceding the attacks, said the Center for Public Integrity, a research group based in Washington.

William Buzenberg, executive director, described the increase as "massive" as his group yesterday issued a report called "Collateral Damage: Human rights and US military aid."

"This money is going to governments with very questionable human rights records," he told a news conference.

"In many cases, this money is going with very little congressional oversight, almost none, and very little public discussion," Buzenberg added.

"And this money is going with the help of the revolving door of former members of Congress who have used their lobbying influence to make this money go to a lot of questionable governments."

In the case of Pakistan, a key strategic ally in Washington's "war on terror," military aid swept from nine million dollars in the three years prior to September 11 to 4.2 billion dollars in the three fiscal years afterward.

And the tiny horn of Africa nation of Djibouti saw US cash increase from 1.6 million dollars to 53.3 million dollars over the same period.

"Our concern is this lack of transparency. We would like to see a greater level of dialogue, of public debate over these issues," said Nathaniel Heller, project manager.