[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 81 (Friday, June 19, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6701-S6702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 252--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING A
RESOLUTION TO THE KASHMIR DISPUTE
Mr. HARKIN (for himself, Mr. Brownback, and Mr. Torricelli) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations:
S. Res. 252
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;
[[Page S6702]]
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;
(3) the United States Permanent Representative to the
United Nations should propose to the United Nations Security
Council a meeting with the representatives to the United
Nations from India and Pakistan for the purpose of
discussions about the security situation in South Asia,
including regional stability, nuclear disarmament and arms
control, and trade;
(4) the United States Permanent Representative to the
United Nations should raise the issue of the Jammu and
Kashmir dispute within the Security Council and promote the
establishment of a United Nations-sponsored mediator for the
conflict; and
(5) the President should request India to allow United
Nations human rights officials, including the Special
Rapporteur on Torture, to visit the Jammu and Kashmir region
and to have unrestricted access to meeting with people in
that region, including those in detention.
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today I submit a resolution on behalf of
myself, Senator Brownback and Senator Torricelli, which addresses a
critical issue in South Asia. It calls for a peaceful and just
settlement of the dispute over Kashmir.
For the better part of half a century, Pakistan and India have had a
territorial dispute involving the Jammu and Kashmir region--commonly
referred to simply as Kashmir. Three times in the past 50 years, these
two nations have fought against one another, two of these wars were
over Kashmir. International security experts have long considered South
Asia generally, and Kashmir specifically, a ``nuclear flash point.''
These longstanding tensions between Pakistan and India have only
worsened with their testing of nuclear weapons last month. It is more
important than ever to take a serious look at Pakistan-India relations.
A peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute is not only in the
interest of the peoples of South Asia, it is also in the interest of
the United States. Our nation has had a long and important history with
both countries. I think the United states is very aware of the dangers
to our own national security, as well as the peace and security of the
whole world, if the Kashmir dispute continues without resolution.
Further, a peaceful resolution to this conflict would foster economic
and social development of the Kashmir region, as well as the rest of
South Asia. It would also curb many of the human rights abuses which
continue despite the efforts by many international groups.
As a world leader, we must take the initiative to help negotiate a
peaceful and just end to the dispute in the Kashmir region that follows
the wishes of those affected. And both the United States and the United
Nations can play an important role in finding a resolution to the
dispute over Kashmir, and in improving relations between Pakistan and
India. While the Administration and the international community have
taken several steps to address these problems, more action is required.
This Senate resolution states that resolving the Kashmir dispute
should be a top US priority, as well as that of the world community.
Furthermore, this resolution asks our Ambassador to the United Nations
to call a meeting of the Security Council with representatives from
both India and Pakistan for the purpose of discussing security in South
Asia. It also advises the Administration to raise the issue of Kashmir
with the Security Council and promote the possibility of a UN sponsored
mediator for the conflict. Finally, this resolution requests that the
President ask the Indian government to allow UN human rights officials
to visit the Kashmir region.
I believe the resolution outlines some important next steps for the
U.S. to help facilitate a reasonable and just solution to the Kashmir
dispute and normalization of relations between India and Pakistan. It
is time for the United States Government and the world to act in a
productive manner that will help attain stability in South Asia. We
cannot turn a blind eye to this long-standing conflict any longer and
must seek a peaceful end to this dispute which not only benefits the
countries involved, but will ultimately benefit the world.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
____________________