[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 15, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6723-S6724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BIDEN (for himself and Mr. Lugar):
  S. 3263. A bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 
through 2013 to promote an enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan 
and its people, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I am pleased to join Chairman Biden in 
introducing the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2008, 
important legislation to deepen our engagement with Pakistan over the 
long term. The Foreign Relations Committee has held an important series 
of hearings on Pakistan which have allowed Members to review the gamut 
of challenges there, including the dynamic political and security 
situation, United States policy options and the resources required to 
pursue them. We have few more important foreign policy priorities than 
encouraging stability in Pakistan and throughout the region, and 
providing sustainable cooperation to fight the terrorists who threaten 
both our countries.
  We worked closely with the State Department's Deputy Secretary 
Negroponte, as well as officials at USAID, to craft this legislation. 
This bipartisan effort reflects the important realization that our 
relations with Pakistan must be broad-based and enduring. As Mr. 
Negroponte told the committee earlier this year, following the 
elections that ended military rule, we have ``a strategic opportunity 
to help the nation consolidate its democratic gains by encouraging 
development and economic reform.''
  This legislation marks a good first step toward seizing that 
opportunity. Its success will be contingent upon effective progress in 
good governance by the leaders throughout the Pakistan government, and 
upon their commitment to combating terrorism within their borders. The 
U.S. National Intelligence Estimate revealed in June of

[[Page S6724]]

last year that al-Qaeda had reestablished its pre-2001 capacity in the 
tribal areas of Pakistan. This reconstituted capacity across the border 
from Afghanistan, together with the extreme Taliban leadership based in 
Pakistan, represents a threat to Pakistan, to the region, and to the 
United States.
  The legislation recognizes that strengthening democracy and 
countering terrorism go hand in hand. American Defense, intelligence 
and State Department officials have all said that economic development 
and improved governance are at least as critical as military action in 
containing the terrorist threat.
  While our bill envisions sustained cooperation with Pakistan for the 
long haul, it is not a blank check. It calls for tangible progress in a 
number of areas, including an independent judiciary, greater 
accountability by the central government, respect for human rights, and 
civilian control of the levers of power, including the military and the 
intelligence agencies. It recognizes that Pakistan will need security 
assistance to fight the terrorists, but it subjects this assistance to 
a certification that the government is using the money for its intended 
purpose, namely, to go after the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and that 
civilian control is maintained. It calls for a comprehensive, cross-
border approach to the very difficult situation along the adjoining 
Afghan and Pakistani tribal areas, combining the economic and security 
aspects.
  This bill represents a lot of hard work by many parties, but we 
recognize the job is not yet done. Passing it into law will require 
further efforts, first of all by us on the Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee. Then we must take it to the floor of the Senate, where I 
look forward to working with our chairman on advancing the bill.
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