[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       MILITARY COUP IN PAKISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, the military coup in Pakistan is an 
unfortunate setback for democracy in South Asia. It stands in stark 
contrast to last month's elections in India, which reaffirmed that 
nation's strong commitment to democratic values.
  Until democracy is restored in Islamabad, it would be a mistake for 
the Clinton administration to waive existing sanctions that prohibit 
arms transfers and military training. In addition, the administration 
should immediately take steps to invoke section 508 of the Foreign 
Operations Appropriations Act, which prohibits certain foreign 
assistance to any country whose duly elected head of government has 
been deposed in a military coup.
  Democracy in Pakistan was far from perfect under Prime Minister Nawaz 
Sharif. Indeed, his government severely limited free political 
expression and often failed to respect basic human rights. 
Nevertheless, the fact remains that Sharif and his party were supported 
by an overwhelming majority of voters in 1997 elections judged to be 
free and fair. The failings of his administration do not justify the 
military's subversion of the constitutional order.
  At times the Clinton administration has gone out of its way to avoid 
triggering section 508. For example, Hun Sen's bloody 1997 takeover of 
the Cambodian Government, in which over 40 military and political 
leaders were killed, was never designated as a coup. Although Gen. 
Pervez Musharraf's recent coup was ``bloodless,'' and despite the fact 
that applying section 508 to Pakistan would only involve only a very 
limited amount of aid, we must send a strong signal to other would-be 
military strongmen that the United States will not tolerate such anti-
democratic actions.
  I urge the Clinton administration to promptly apply section 508 to 
Pakistan.

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