[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 123 Introduced in House (IH)]







104th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 123

                  Relating to the conflict in Kashmir.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 29, 1995

  Mr. Rohrabacher (for himself, Mr. Torres, Mr. Moran, Mr. Burton of 
Indiana, Mr. Paxon, Mr. Cox of California, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Wilson, and 
Mr. Nethercutt) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
              to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
                  Relating to the conflict in Kashmir.

Whereas a cycle of violence exists in Kashmir as a result of the Indian 
        Government's refusal to permit the people of Kashmir to exercise their 
        right to self-determination as promised by successive resolutions of the 
        United Nations;
Whereas United States policy calls for a solution to the conflict through 
        negotiations between India and Pakistan taking into consideration the 
        wishes of the people of Kashmir and further states that it is up to the 
        people of Kashmir to determine who best represents their interests;
Whereas India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the Kashmiri conflict and 
        tensions in the region continue to escalate;
Whereas India and Pakistan possess the capability to assemble and deliver 
        nuclear weapons;
Whereas reports indicate an increase in human rights abuses against civilians in 
        Kashmir, particularly as a result of state sponsored terrorism by Indian 
        paramilitary forces, and violence used by Kashmiri militants;
Whereas the people of Kashmir have organized the all-parties Hurriyet (Freedom) 
        Conference, an umbrella organization of 34 political parties, to engage 
        in negotiations with Indian and Pakistani authorities without 
        precondition;
Whereas the United States Institute of Peace in January 1994, brought together 
        representatives from the central participants in the conflict--India, 
        Pakistan, and Kashmir--to engage in a dialogue for peace; and
Whereas the United States Institute of Peace concluded that ``it is essential 
        that people of Kashmir be central participants in this political 
        process, along with the governments and citizens of India and 
        Pakistan.'' and the report further states that the formation of the 
        Freedom (Hurriyet) Conference could potentially facilitate possible 
        negotiations: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) the United States condemns the use of excessive force 
        and terrorism by Indian paramilitary forces against civilians 
        in Kashmir and similarly denounces acts of violence by Kashmiri 
        militants;
            (2) the United States welcomes the release from detention 
        of Kashmiri political leaders and urges the Government of India 
        to take further steps to respond to human rights concerns, 
        including permitting international human rights groups access 
        to Kashmir, prosecuting security personnel involved in abuses 
        of human rights, and eliminating the special preventative 
        detention laws;
            (3) the United States House of Representatives reiterates 
        the need for all parties to the conflict--the Governments of 
        India and Pakistan and the legitimate representatives of the 
        people of Kashmir--to enter into negotiations and resolve the 
        conflict peacefully; and
            (4) the United States House of Representatives urges the 
        Administration to work with the United Nations and the 
        international community to facilitate a peaceful negotiation 
        for a settlement of the Kashmir conflict.
                                 <all>