Islamabad, May 3, 2010 – The U.S. completed a transfer of $656 million to the Government of Pakistan today for some of the costs incurred while conducting counterinsurgency operations against violent extremists in 2009.

The reimbursements, known as Coalition Support Funds (CSF), are intended to aid in Pakistan’s fight against terrorists and in achieving the mutually shared goals of peace and stability in Pakistan and in the region.

The Coalition Support Fund was established by the United States in 2001 to support 27 nations, including Pakistan, for some of the costs they incur in the fight against extremist violence. Since 2001, the United States has reimbursed Pakistan approximately $7.2 billion.  The last CSF payment was delivered to Pakistan in January and included a $349 million reimbursement for all validated CSF claims received from Pakistan for the year 2008.  Additional 2009 CSF claims are being processed and may result in additional payments.

In addition to CSF reimbursements, U.S. civilian and security assistance to Pakistan has totaled more than $4 billion over the last three years.  Assistance has included support for medical aid, school refurbishment, bridge and well reconstruction, food distribution, agricultural and education projects. Specific security assistance includes 14 F-16 fighter aircraft, 10 Mi-17 helicopters, more than 450 vehicles for Pakistan’s Frontier Corps, hundreds of night vision goggles, day/night scopes, radios, and thousands of protective vests and first-aid items for Pakistan’s security forces.  The U.S. also provided training for more than 370 Pakistani military officers in a wide range of leadership and development programs covering topics such as counterterrorism, intelligence, logistics, medical, flight safety, and military law.