[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 93 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      WORKING FOR PEACE IN KASHMIR

                                 ______


                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 1995
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, the Congress should take a strong stand in 
support of an end to the violence in Kashmir.
  The American Overseas Interests Act, H.R. 1561, recognizes the need 
for all parties in the conflict in Kashmir to resolve the conflict 
peacefully.
  India and Pakistan have fought two wars over this region.
  Kashmir is still plagued by violence.
  More than 20,000 people have been killed.
  Tensions are on the rise again.
  A mosque sacred to the Moslems in Kashmir was recently burned to the 
ground.
  And on Saturday, June 3, the Indian Parliament once again extended 
New Delhi's rule over Kashmir and postponed elections, which were set 
to take place next month.
  The call for peace is more important than ever.
  I will continue to push for an even stronger message--to press India 
to respect human rights, to urge an end to the violence, and to allow 
the Kashmiri people to determine their own future.
  While I am glad that India repealed the TADA law which has kept many 
minorities behind bars for political reasons, India needs to do more.
  India should take further steps to allow international human rights 
groups access to Kashmir, and India should prosecute security personnel 
involved in abuses of human rights.
  We cannot ignore the conflict in Kashmir.
  The recognition of this issue in the bill is an important step in 
working toward a peaceful resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, while I am not voting for H.R. 1561 because I believe it 
takes us a giant step back in building democracy around the globe, I 
wanted to indicate that I support this action on Kashmir.


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