[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2428-E2429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP WITH PAKISTAN ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 30, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 
1707, an act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2010 through 
2014 to promote an enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan and its 
people. S. 1707 establishes a new, more positive framework for U.S.-
Pakistan relations. This bill is a bipartisan, bicameral compromise and 
is crucial to the success of a wide range of U.S. national security and 
foreign policy interests, while ensuring accountability and 
accountability for the assistance we give. I was an original cosponsor 
of H.R. 1886, an earlier version of this legislation. H.R. 1886, was 
passed by this body with bipartisan support on June 12th, and I remain 
unwavering in my support for this assistance package to Pakistan.
  Like its predecessor, S. 1707 establishes a set of principles that 
should govern the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, including the actions 
that the two countries should take to maintain a robust, relevant and 
lasting relationship. The bill is comprised of three titles.
  The first title provides Democratic, Economic and Development 
Assistance for Pakistan; the second Title provides Security Assistance 
for Pakistan; and the third Title requires the President to develop a 
regional security strategy; provides for enhanced monitoring, 
evaluation, and auditing of U.S. assistance; requires a Presidential 
report on Pakistan, including an evaluation on Pakistan's progress in 
counterterrorism and an assessment of whether assistance provided to 
Pakistan is in any way facilitating the expansion of Pakistan's nuclear 
weapons program; and requires that all assistance to Pakistan be 
provided through a civilian government in Pakistan established by free 
and fair elections.
  Pakistan is a critical ally of the United States. For too long, 
however, our relationship with Pakistan has been one of fits and 
starts, depending on events in the region and who happens to be in 
power in Pakistan. It is time for us the United States to forge a truly 
strategic partnership with Pakistan, one that goes beyond our mutual 
interest today in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism and speaks to 
the everyday needs of the average Pakistani.
  S. 1707 accomplishes these objectives. The legislation would 
significantly expand economic, social and democracy assistance to help 
lay the foundation for a stronger, more stable Pakistan. As requested 
by President Obama, this legislation triples the authorization for U.S. 
economic, social, and democratic development assistance to Pakistan to 
$1.5 billion a year. This assistance promotes democratic institutions 
in the short term. In the short term, it provides immediate funding for 
democratic institutions such as Pakistan's parliament and judicial 
institutions. For the long term, this legislation enables Pakistan's 
next generation by funding educational and vocational opportunities for 
women and girls and religious minorities.
  As much as we must focus on the internal conflicts in Pakistan, we 
must not forget the external issues affecting the region as a whole and 
the need for stabilization.
  Over the years, U.S. assistance to Pakistan has fluctuated with 
political events, sending mixed messages and leading most Pakistanis to 
question both our intentions and our staying power. Today, many 
Pakistanis believe the United States will cut and run when it serves 
our purpose, a belief which undermines our longterm efforts to defeat 
extremists, foster democratic change, and support transparent and 
accountable institutions that promote security and stability in 
Pakistan.
  However, the status quo is not working: many in the United States 
believe we are paying too much and getting too little--and most 
Pakistanis believe exactly the opposite. Without changing this 
baseline, there is little likelihood of drying up popular tolerance for 
anti-U.S. terrorist groups or persuading Pakistani leaders to devote 
the political capital necessary to deny such groups sanctuary and 
covert material support.
  The bill helps bridge a sustainable U.S.-Pakistan partnership through 
an increased focus on public diplomacy and engagement. S. 1707 
authorizes a new exchange program for Pakistani civil servants and 
military officers in order to foster greater respect for and 
understanding of the principle of civilian rule in Pakistan's military. 
By building bridges to Pakistan and its people, the legislation is 
intended to provide a new, more positive framework for U.S.-Pakistan 
relations. Finally, the bill authorizes an extensive increase in 
military assistance to help Pakistan wage an effective 
counterinsurgency campaign against those forces that threaten 
Pakistan's national security.
  This legislation establishes a new, more positive framework for U.S.-
Pakistan relations. The legislation establishes a set of principles 
that should govern the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, including the 
actions that the two countries should take to maintain a robust, 
relevant and lasting relationship.
  Although, I believe that this bill is crucial and will be effective, 
it is only one piece of a greater strategy. This bill did not, as I 
have proposed, create a militant rehabilitation program to specifically 
prevent youth from turning to militancy from the onset. Financial 
support and job opportunities would be provided to graduates of the 
rehabilitation programs as incentives for steering insurgents away from 
militancy. This amendment would have greatly fostered counterterrorism 
efforts, and I hope that some of the many outstanding groups working in 
Pakistan will take the initiative in implementing this proposal.
  I have been to Pakistan many times. My belief in this country and its 
relationship with the United States drove me to co-chair the Pakistan 
Caucus.
  Benazir Bhutto, shortly before her death said that ``The next few 
months are critical to Pakistan's future direction as a democratic 
state committed to promoting peace, fighting terrorism and working for 
social justice. Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the 
forces of terrorism.'' I had the pleasure of knowing the late Benazir 
Bhutto and losing her was truly a tragedy felt beyond Pakistan. She 
made this statement over two years ago, yet is relevant today more than 
ever.
  On May 19, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced $110 
million in emergency

[[Page E2429]]

assistance for the South Asia nation of Pakistan, including aid for 
civilians fleeing a military offensive against Taliban militants in the 
northwest. The United Nations refugee agency issued a report stating 
that more than 1.4 million people in the North West Frontier Province 
(NWFP) have been registered as displaced since May 2, describing the 
flood as the largest and swiftest to take place anywhere in the world 
in recent years.
  The newly-registered internally displaced persons (IDP) took the 
total number of those who have fled their homes in the SWAT valley and 
surrounding areas to two million.
  I am hopeful that the $110 million in emergency assistance will get 
to the people on the ground and will be of assistance to them. It is 
important that the people of Pakistan see that the aid is coming from 
America to give a face to this aid. It is essential to global security 
and the security of the United States.
  The surge of IDPs followed the launch of a military offensive in late 
April. President Asif Ali Zardari acted after U.S. officials stepped up 
warnings that Islamabad's willingness to tolerate and negotiate peace 
deals with the militants was endangering both Pakistan and the wider 
region. The Taliban fighting spread to NWFP districts and SWAT.
  President Obama's new approach to Pakistan is different than anything 
that has been tried before. America has expressed that it will support 
the democratically-elected government and it will have a clear and 
transparent relationship. This bill has the support of the President, 
Secretary Clinton, Secretary Gates, Admiral Mullen, and Senators Kerry 
and Lugar.
  In conclusion, I urge you to support S. 1707, which seeks to and 
effectively establishes a new, more positive and enduring framework for 
U.S.-Pakistan relations. This legislation is timely. It is bipartisan. 
It is accountable. It is effective.

                          ____________________