US senator rules out Pakistan aid cuts

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WASHINGTON: US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Tuesday played down talk of cutting aid to Pakistan in the wake of Osama bin Laden's death, saying now was the time to "withhold judgment," not money.

"Right now, we're at a very difficult time. We need to see if we can improve the relationship," the Democratic lawmaker told reporters, stressing: "This isn't the time to start flexing our muscles."

"I think this is the time that we have withhold judgment. Before any money's going to be asked to be sent to Pakistan, there will be hearings; there will be discussions in the White House. There will be diplomatic activities," said Reid.

"I don't think we need at this stage to talk about what we're going to do, because that decision doesn't have to be made right now," said the senator.

Reid told reporters that Democratic Senator John Kerry had briefed his colleagues behind closed doors on his just-finished whirlwind trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Reid cited "good things that we have already seen happen as a result of the visit by Senator Kerry" -- notably the return of the tail of a helicopter US Navy SEALs were forced to destroy during the May 2 raid.

"There's some things that are beginning to help, and we need to work together. It's very important that we continue a good relationship with Pakistan," said Reid. (AFP)