[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ARMS TRANSFERS TO PAKISTAN

                                 ______


                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 1996

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, the Government of Pakistan continues to 
assure our Government that it is a staunch ally of the United States. 
Last year, Pakistan illegally purchased M-11 missiles and 5,000 ring 
magnets from China. The M-11 missiles are capable of delivering a 
nuclear warhead and the ring magnets are used to enrich uranium, a key 
component for making nuclear bombs. Both transfers violate several U.S. 
nuclear nonproliferation laws.
  The latest destabilizing act by Pakistan appears to have occurred 
earlier this month when authorities in Taiwan seized the cargo of a 
ship loaded with 34.8 tons of chemicals traveling from North Korea to 
Pakistan. According to an article appearing in the March 10 edition of 
the United Daily News, a leading newspaper in Taiwan, the materials 
``could be used for massively destructive purposes.'' The cargo, which 
Taiwanese authorities are holding, is being treated as top secret.
  The actions of Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto are deeply 
troubling. Last year, Mrs. Bhutto travelled to North Korea. In 
addition, last year, Pakistan illegally purchased M-11 missiles from 
the People's Republic of China [PRC]. Earlier this year, news reports 
disclosed that Pakistan had 5,000 ring magnets from the PRC.
  Mr. Speaker, the administration is currently considering transferring 
$368 million worth of seized military hardware to Pakistan. The 
Congress granted that authority to the administration last year before 
it was aware of the seized cargo, the ring magnets, or the M-11 
missiles. In light of these developments, it is imperative that the 
administration not proceed with the transfer. Tensions in South Asia 
are already very high. The United States needs to step back and 
reassess its position regarding Pakistan rather than continue on its 
present course.

                          ____________________