[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.

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