[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 29, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H4999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INDIA-PAKISTAN: MILITARY ACTION IS NOT THE SOLUTION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ballenger). Under the Speaker's 
announced policy of January 19, 1999, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Bereuter) is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member rises to express his grave 
concern regarding the current conflict in South Asia. It is 
particularly distressing because only 4 short months ago the prime 
ministers of India and Pakistan signed a watershed agreement known as 
Lahore Accord. In it both committed to reduce the risk of conflict, 
particularly in Kashmir, their most volatile source of discord.
  Now the promise of peace has been replaced by the worst fighting in 
decades. Islamic insurgents infiltrating from Pakistan have occupied 
strategic mountain locations in India and control portions of Kashmir. 
Both sides have reinforced troops and weaponry, and fighting has 
intensified. India and Pakistan also are redeploying troops along the 
Punjab border, the key battleground in previous conflicts. Citizens are 
collecting money for the war effort, lining up at recruitment centers, 
and donating blood. Recent press reports indicate that hard-line 
politicians on both sides are talking about using their nuclear 
options.
  There is good evidence that these heavily armed infiltrators at 
Kashmir could not have been positioned or sustained themselves without 
direct Pakistani assistance, possibly including Pakistani troop 
involvement. This Member calls upon Pakistan to immediately halt such 
assistance. This Member also calls on both sides, India and Pakistan, 
to stop seeking short-term tactical advantages and work to achieve a 
strategic accommodation on the issue of Kashmir.
  Mr. Speaker, no solution can be achieved under the continued threat 
of increased military action. This Member, and I am sure this Congress 
and the world, strongly cautions against further escalation. At the 
Lahore meeting, the prime ministers of India and Pakistan sagely agreed 
that they owe peace to their people and to future generations. They 
should fulfill that hope and commitment starting now with the cessation 
of hostilities.

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