[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT PERVEZ MUSHARRAF OF PAKISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, President Pervez Musharraf is, quite 
literally, the ``Indispensable Man'' in Pakistan politics today--and 
promises to be one of the most significant and pivotal figures in 
Pakistan's history.
  President Musharraf has transformed Pakistan into a reliable friend 
of the United States in the global war on terror. Unlike some other 
friends and putative allies of the United States, Pakistan has sealed 
its commitment to fight terrorism with the blood of its military 
forces; over 200 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in combat with al 
Qaeda, Taliban and other extremists in Pakistan's Northwest Territories 
in the last two years.
  Pakistani authorities have also captured or killed hundreds of 
foreign terrorists and extremists. The United States has officially 
designated Pakistan a ``major non-NATO ally'' in recognition of the 
importance of Pakistan to the security interests of the United States. 
President Musharraf himself has survived two assassination attempts by 
al Qaeda, yet he has refused to back down.
  Mr. Speaker, if anyone had any doubts that President Musharraf is a 
man of vision, they need look no further than the recent and 
unprecedented meeting between the Israeli and Pakistani foreign 
ministers in Turkey. This momentous event could well usher in a new era 
of cooperation and friendship between these two states. All of us 
should welcome this farsighted action by the Pakistani President. This 
action, taken in the wake of Israel's disengagement from Gaza, sends a 
strong signal to the entire Muslim world: It is time for all Muslim-
majority states--not only Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and a very few others--
to deal openly with Israel and to recognize it. They can make no 
greater contribution to Middle East peace.
  Also, there is now the very real possibility that India and Pakistan 
may finally begin to put over a half-century of animosity and distrust 
behind them. This is due in no small measure to the efforts of 
President Musharraf.
  No other figure in Pakistan commands the world-wide respect that its 
President does, Mr. Speaker. He is moving Pakistan forward to what I 
hope will be a stable democracy, a peaceful and prosperous country and 
a reliable and valued partner of the United States in bringing 
stability, security and peace to the region. All this, if it comes to 
pass, will be due in large part to the leadership and vision of 
President Pervez Musharraf.

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