[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE WRONG MESSAGE TO PAKISTAN

                                 ______


                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 1995

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, last week the other body, the Senate, 
approved a provision to the fiscal year 1996 Foreign Operations 
Appropriations bill that would permit the transfer to military 
equipment to the Government of Pakistan. This provision was not 
included in the House version of the bill, and it is my strong belief 
that the conferees should not adopt this provision in the conference 
report.
  The provision adopted last week, if enacted into law, amounts to a 
waiver of the Pressler amendment, named for the Senator who sponsored 
this provision which became law 10 years ago. This law prohibits U.S. 
military aid to Pakistan if the President cannot certify that Pakistan 
does not possess a nuclear explosive device. President Bush invoked the 
law in 1990 when it became abundantly clear that Pakistan was not in 
compliance with this provision of American law. Nothing has changed in 
the last 5 years. Indeed, supporters of this provision do not claim 
that Pakistan is now in compliance with U.S. conditions. Their 
argument, rather, seems to be that we should provide the arms in spite 
of Pakistan's flouting of the U.S. conditions.
  Mr. Speaker, this arms transfer would have the effect of undermining 
the ongoing commitment of the United States to nuclear 
nonproliferation. It would also heighten regional instability in South 
Asia. And it would send the message that countries that disregard 
clearly stated U.S. conditions for aid can simply ignore those 
conditions and ultimately be rewarded.
  Mr. Speaker, The New York Times on Saturday, September 21, 1995, 
published the following editorial, which very concisely sums up why 
this arms package should not be adopted as part of the fiscal year 1996 
Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.

                     The Wrong Message to Pakistan

       In an unfortunate reversal, the Senate voted on Thursday to 
     lift some of the military sanctions that were imposed on 
     Pakistan five years ago. Pakistan has made no concessions to 
     American requests that it cap its secret nuclear weapons 
     program, and until it does so, and allows verification, it 
     should not be the beneficiary of American military aid or be 
     allowed to buy American military hardware.
       South Asia has long been considered one of the most 
     dangerous regions in the world for nuclear proliferation. 
     India has tested a nuclear bomb and Pakistan wants to match 
     its capability.
       The Clinton Administration has concluded that Pakistan's 
     secular, relatively democratic government should be 
     supported. That is fair enough. But the way to do so is not 
     with the military assistance program advanced by the White 
     House and approved by the Senate. It would allow delivery of 
     $368 million in military equipment to the Government of Prime 
     Minister Benazir Bhutto.
       Relations between Washington and Islamabad have been tense 
     since 1990 after Pakistan violated its promises and began 
     stockpiling nuclear materials and the United States refused 
     to deliver 28 F-16A fighter planes that Pakistan paid for in 
     1988. That decision was part of a ban on military assistance 
     to Pakistan imposed to discourage its development of nuclear 
     weapons. The Senate would now allow reimbursement to Pakistan 
     for the planes, which is a reasonable compromise. But the 
     loosening of sanctions should have stopped there.
       To resume military aid to a country that is secretly 
     developing nuclear weapons and defying American 
     nonproliferation policy makes no sense. American intelligence 
     agencies have concluded that Pakistan possesses M-11 missiles 
     acquired from China that can carry nuclear warheads.
       The Clinton Administration could have improved relations 
     with Pakistan by simply removing the barriers to economic 
     aid. A poor country, Pakistan already directs too many of its 
     resources towards the military, at the expense of its 
     citizens.
       The Senate measure was passed as part of the foreign aid 
     bill. No similar provision exists in the House version. The 
     House should not accept the Senate measure when it comes time 
     to reconcile the bills. The United States should not be 
     contributing to an arms race on the subcontinent.

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