[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 164 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF CONGRESS FOR RECENT ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIC OF 
                                 INDIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 211. 
First let me thank Mr. Gejdenson, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Brown, and Mr. 
Hastings for co-sponsoring this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, the contrasting events in India and Pakistan over a 
single 24 hour period speak eloquently about the new challenges and 
opportunities that we face in South Asia. In India, we have seen 
hundreds of millions of voters enthusiastically exercise their votes in 
a free and fair election. In Pakistan, we witnessed a military coup.
  This resolution, Mr. Speaker, recognizes that the people of India 
have a deep and abiding commitment to democracy and it salutes them for 
the passion with which they choose their own destiny. No country 
reflects our own values more in that part of the world than does India.
  It is high time we seriously begin to recognize this fact and 
graduate from mere platitudes to some tangible policy changes toward 
India.
  I believe that it is time to re-examine our basic premise regarding 
U.S. policy in South Asia. We should abandon old paradigms and Cold War 
hangups and see that India, a democracy, is our natural ally in the 
region.
  The best way to demonstrate our commitment to the people of India is 
by ensuring that the President travels to India as soon as possible, as 
the resolution urges him to do.
  I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

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