[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 29, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1424-E1425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN SUPPORT OF PEACE IN KASHMIR, H. RES. 227

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 29, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing H. Res. 227, 
legislation expressing the sense of the Congress in opposition to the 
Government of Pakistan's support for armed incursion into Jammu and 
Kashmir, India.
  The Government of Pakistan has long supported terrorism in India. 
However, this latest incident is far beyond the usual murder of 
innocent civilians on a train or at a wedding party. The Pakistan Army, 
intelligence service and government has moved thousands of men and 
materials up to the Pakistan side of the LoC and sent hundreds of army 
regulars across the line. The Pakistan Army is laying down artillery 
fire in support of the Pakistani invaders.
  For many years, India has been suffering from Moslem extremist 
attacks originating from Afghanistan and Pakistan which are supported 
by the Pakistani government. Last year Americans received a bitter 
taste of what India experiences on a regular basis in Kashmir when 
those same terrorist groups killed our diplomats in two of our 
embassies in Africa.
  The Government of Pakistan gives political, material and moral 
support for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistani government 
supports training camps for terrorists that operate around the world. 
And as I have stated, many Americans have died as a result of their 
attacks.
  Pakistan is the backbone behind the Taliban fundamentalist group in 
Afghanistan. The Pakistani government gives critical military, 
logistical and political support for the Taliban's military effort 
against legitimate representative political alternatives. The Taliban, 
as a matter of policy, produces heroin and purposely exports it to the 
West. The Taliban have been giving refuge to Osama bin Laden, the Saudi 
terrorist, who is responsible for the deaths of American diplomats. And 
the Taliban's policy of systematic repression of women is barbaric and 
unacceptable to both Western, Eastern, Islamic, Christian, Hindu, 
Buddhist or Jewish cultures.
  The Taliban must be stopped. Their existence and growth threatens the 
current regional movement towards representative forms of government.
  One year ago, India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons. Severe 
sanctions were swiftly imposed by U.S. law. Since then we have seen a 
slow but steady effort by Washington and New Delhi to resolve our 
differences. Regrettably, the effort has not gone as fast as some of us 
would like. To a large degree it has been slowed down by a 
misperception by the State Department of India's motivations for the 
testing. While I am a strong supporter of nuclear non proliferation it 
is curious that foggy Bottom has difficulty understanding India's 
concerns about China's regional intentions. China has given nuclear and 
ballistic weapon support to Pakistan on India's western border. China 
has a close relationship with Burma's narcodictatorship on India's 
eastern border having shipped over $1.4 billion in arms to Rangoon. And 
of course China brutally occupies Tibet on India's northern border . . 
. the Tibetan/Indian border is bristling with PLA troops.
  Even more puzzling, has been the Administration's failure to 
acknowledge how State Department policy has helped to bring about 
India's sense of insecurity by inadequately responding to China's 
violation of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. We must not forget 
that China sold and transferred nuclear weapon's technology to 
Pakistan.
  If India, or any other nation, is expected to refrain from building a 
nuclear deterrent, then the U.S. and other nuclear powers must ensure 
that these non nuclear nations are not bullied by their nuclear 
neighbors.
  Earlier this month, the Senate adopted legislation that has many 
provisions regarding current sanctions against India and Pakistan. One 
provision would suspend sanctions against India and Pakistan for a 
period of five years. While I strongly favor this, I very much oppose a 
provision in the bill that unconditionally repeals the Pressler 
amendment. As you must recall, the Pressler amendment requires the 
President certify to the Congress that Pakistan is not developing 
nuclear weapons.

  The question is, why on earth with Pakistan supplying critical 
support for the Taliban do we want this time to reward Pakistan by 
unconditionally lifting the Pressler amendment?
  It also should be noted that Pakistan has provided China with 
assistance that is detrimental to our national security.
  The Lahore Summit established a framework for bilateral cooperation 
and reconciliation between India and Pakistan. Lahore gives hope for 
the new Indian government that will be elected in September to carry 
the process forward in Pakistan. Pakistan should withdraw its forces 
and get on with it commendable efforts begun in Lahore.
  Our own bilateral relationship with India should not be dominated by 
security issues. The relationship should remain as broad as what we 
enjoy with other democracies.
  India's economic growth, and U.S. investment to help spur that 
growth, should be at

[[Page E1425]]

the top of our mutual agenda. India's vast pool of highly trained 
English speaking professionals offers our nation critical resources in 
our efforts to stay competitive and to remain the world's leader in 
high tech industry. We need to offer India a security and economic 
partnership.
  India's testing must be understood in terms of its verifiable, 
objective security concerns and how the world's nuclear powers have 
responded to those concerns. Any changes to the Pressler amendment 
should be considered in terms of U.S. national interests in relation to 
Pakistan's behavior.
  Mr. Speaker, I will soon be introducing legislation regarding 
sanctions against India and Pakistan. However, before we consider any 
changes in the law affecting Pakistan there must be fundamental changes 
in the Government in Pakistan. We cannot support a government that 
permits and encourages actions that lead to the murder of Americans or 
any other innocent civilians.
  According, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 227.

                              H. Res. 227

       Whereas the United States has a vital interest in ensuring 
     stability in South Asia, reducing tensions between India and 
     Pakistan, and preventing the spread of terrorism;
       Whereas Pakistani-backed armed forces and, reportedly 
     Pakistani regulars, have crossed from Pakistan into Jammu and 
     Kashmir, India, and occupied Indian military positions that 
     were temporarily abandoned for the winter season;
       Whereas this incursion has the financial and military 
     support of Pakistan;
       Whereas Pakistan's strategy is to support the armed 
     incursion into Kashmir and renegotiate the Line of Control;
       Whereas the Indian armed forces have been forced into 
     action to defend the territory on the Indian side of the Line 
     of Control and push the terrorists and Pakistani military 
     forces out;
       Whereas Pakistani armed forces, reportedly, are involved in 
     these incursions;
       Whereas the actions by Pakistan are contrary to the Lahore 
     Declaration, an agreement between India and Pakistan to 
     promote regional stability, peace, and security in South 
     Asia;
       Whereas the forces include well-trained and heavily armed 
     Afghans and Pakistanis associated with Osama bin Laden, the 
     Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, and the Government of Pakistan; and
       Whereas the Group of Eight (comprised of the United States, 
     France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, and 
     Russia) on June 20, 1999, called for an immediate end to the 
     hostilities, restoration of the Line of Control, full respect 
     in the future for the Line of Control, and resumption of the 
     dialogue between India and Pakistan in the spirit of the 
     Lahore Declaration: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives--
       (1) that it should be the policy of the United States to 
     oppose the Government of Pakistan's support for armed 
     incursion into Jammu and Kashmire, India;
       (2) that it should be the policy of the United States to 
     support the immediate withdrawal of intruding forces 
     supported by Pakistan from the Indian side of the Line of 
     Control, to urge the reestablishment and future respect for 
     the Line of Control, and to encourage all sides to end the 
     fighting and exercise restraint;
       (3) that it should be the policy of the United States to 
     encourage both India and Pakistan to adhere to the principles 
     of the Lahore Declaration.

     

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