USINPAC Press Release
US India Political Action Committee
www.usinpac.com
For Immediate Release
Congress Demands to Know About
Pakistan's Role in Abetting Terrorism and Nuclear Proliferation at USINPAC's
Urging
Washington, DC
May 7, 2003
At the urging of the US India Political
Action Committee, the International Relations Committee of the US House
of Representatives unanimously passed an amendment today requiring the
Administration to disclose to Congress and to the American people the extent
to which Pakistan is fulfilling its promise to clamp down on cross-border
terrorism, shutting down terrorist camps in Pakistan-held Kashmir, and
halting the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology to rogue states
and terrorists.
This landmark vote marks the first
time that Congress has acknowledged the role of Pakistan in abetting terrorism
and in the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology. By focusing
entirely on the behavior of Pakistan in promoting terrorism as an instrument
of state policy, and in the proliferation of nuclear technology, the US
Congress has taken the first tangible step in decoupling the US relationship
with Pakistan with that from India. The unanimous, bipartisan vote
reflects the broad support that this issue garners across party lines.
In his remarks before introducing
the amendment to H.R. 1950, Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, stated, " Although we are appreciative
of Pakistan's post September 11 assistance in the war against terrorism,
I cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that Pakistan has not closed all
known terrorist training camps operating in Pakistan. I cannot turn
a blind eye to the fact that Pakistan has not prohibited the infiltration
of Islamic extremists across the Line of Control into Indian Kashmir. I
cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that General Musharraf promised Deputy
Secretary Armitage that infiltration would cease and it has not."
USINPAC reached out to members on
both sides of the aisle to build support for the vote. The support
of the Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, Rep. Henry
Hyde, was instrumental in ensuring the passage of the amendment.
His leadership and concern for an issue of national importance ensured
the smooth passage of this landmark amendment.
Manish Thakur, Co-Chair of the Strategic
and Defense Affairs Committee of USINPAC, said, "In passing this amendment,
the House is sending a clear message that all terrorism is wrong, wherever
it occurs in the world. And harboring terrorists or proliferating
technology associated with weapons of mass destruction can no longer be
tolerated. On behalf of the 2 million strong Indian American community,
we applaud the House in taking this principled stand."
The amendment titled, 'Section 708.
Report On Actions Taken By Pakistan', states:
For each of fiscal years 2004 and
2005, the President shall prepare and transmit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report that contains a description of the extent to which
the Government of Pakistan:
(1) has closed all known terrorist
training camps operating in Pakistan and Pakistani-held Kashmir;
(2) has established serious and
identifiable measures to prohibit the infiltration of Islamic extremists
across the ''Line of Control'' (LoC) into India; and
(3) has ceased the transfer of weapons
of mass destruction, including any associated technologies, to any third
country or terrorist organization.
After the vote, Rep. Faleomavaega
stated that he harbored no ill-will against the people of Pakistan.
'It would be hypocritical for the United States to support a dictatorship
despite a firm, long-standing policy against coup instigators. Today,
Pakistan remains a dictatorship, while only a few years ago it was a democracy.
By contrast, India has demonstrated that democracy can take root and prosper
in non-Western cultures as well, even under the most difficult circumstances.'
Speaking to USINPAC after the vote,
Co-Chair of the India Caucus, Rep. Crowley stated, 'I am happy that this
amendment has passed. It will make a tangible difference by putting the
issue of cross-border terrorism and nuclear proliferation firmly on the
record'.
The Indian American community rallied
strongly behind USINPAC's effort's to petition lawmakers to bring peace
to the Subcontinent. USINPAC members from all over the nation called their
representatives in Congress, urging them to support passage of this amendment.
USINPAC believes that all efforts
should be made to assist Pakistan make the transition to a stable, peaceful
democratic state. Preventing cross-border terrorism and preventing proliferation
of nuclear weapon technologies are important milestones in this regard.
USINPAC is determined to remain active on this issue until cross-border
terrorism emanating from Pakistan and proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction technologies that jeopardize US interests are completely and
verifiably halted.
The US India Political Action Committee
(USINPAC) is a national, bipartisan political action committee of the Indian
American community. Based in Washington, DC, USINPAC is a strong
and clear voice on Capitol Hill. USINPAC's mission is to impact policy
on issues of concern to the Indian American community.
The success of USINPAC in building
relationships, as well as resolving issues, on behalf of the community
is drawing an increasing number of concerned and well-meaning community
leaders, who are all working to ensure that community, and individual,
issues are addressed by our elected leaders. USINPAC is continuing
to build on its Capitol Hill outreach with senior leaders, and has recently
held substantive talks with Senators Orrin Hatch, Charles Grassley, Richard
Lugar and Congressmen Robert Wexler, and Tom Davis, among others.
Media Contact:
Sanjay Puri
Executive Director
Tel: 703.403.1528
spuri@usnipac.com
