[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 252 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 252

   Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding a resolution to the 
                            Kashmir dispute.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 19, 1998

 Mr. Harkin (for himself, Mr. Brownback, and Mr. Torricelli) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                           Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding a resolution to the 
                            Kashmir dispute.

Whereas the detonation of nuclear explosive devices by India and Pakistan in May 
        of 1998 has underscored the need to reexamine relations between India 
        and Pakistan;
Whereas a spiraling nuclear arms race in South Asia would threaten the national 
        security of the United States, and international peace and security;
Whereas for more than half a century, Pakistan and India have had a dispute 
        involving the Jammu and Kashmir region and tensions remain high;
Whereas three times in the past 50 years, the two nations fought wars against 
        each other, two of these wars directly involving Jammu and Kashmir;
Whereas it is in the interest of United States security and world peace for 
        Pakistan and India to arrive at a peaceful and just settlement of the 
        dispute through talks between the two nations, which takes into account 
        the wishes of the affected population;
Whereas the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir continues to deteriorate 
        despite repeated efforts by international human rights groups;
Whereas a resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute would foster economic and 
        social development in the region;
Whereas the United States has a long and important history with both India and 
        Pakistan, and bears a responsibility as a world leader to help 
        facilitate a peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute; and
Whereas the United States and the United Nations can both play a critical role 
        in helping to resolve the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir and in 
        fostering better relations between Pakistan and India: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) the United States should make a high priority the promotion of 
        peace and stability in South Asia, as well as normalization of relations 
        between India and Pakistan;
            (2) it is critical for the United States and the world community to 
        give a greater priority to resolving the long-standing dispute between 
        India and Pakistan over the Jammu and Kashmir region;
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