[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 26 (Thursday, March 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  REGIONAL PARTIES WIN IN INDIA; INDIA'S DISINTEGRATION APPEARS CLOSER

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                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2000

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, recently regional parties won elections 
in two states in India. Neither the ruling BJP nor the opposition 
Congress Party was able to pull off a complete victory.
  These results only increase the instability that already plagues 
India. To retain control of the government, the BJP had to assemble a 
coalition of 24 parties. Clearly, the days when a national party could 
dominate India's government are gone.
  While the political instability increases, there are 17 independence 
movements within India's borders. Many experts on the situation in 
South Asia have predicted the disintegration of India. From these 
results it looks like that disintegration is closer.
  America is a country founded on the idea of freedom. I urge President 
Clinton to raise the issue of freeing the political prisoners during 
his upcoming visit to India. I also urge him to bring up the question 
of self-determination. It is time to speak out for freedom.

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