[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25306]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              STOP RESUMPTION OF MILITARY TIES TO PAKISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL McCOLLUM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 13, 1999

  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of my great concern for 
the possible resumption of military supply between the U.S. and 
Pakistan. The Department of Defense Appropriations conference report 
allows the President to waive certain sanctions against India and 
Pakistan under the Glenn and Pressler amendments. While I am pleased 
that the economic and technological restrictions have been lifted, I am 
gravely concerned about the prospect of military exchanges with an 
unstable Pakistan.
  As I am sure colleagues are aware, Pakistan's government has been 
``dismissed'' by its army, leaving the country in much uncertainty. As 
a new nuclear state, this type of disruption should certainly cause 
concern for its neighbor. However, this is compounded by the role that 
the Pakistani military played in the recent Kargil episode which 
erupted this May. The Indian Army discovered the infiltration of 
Pakistani regular troops and an assortment of ISI-sponsored Mujahideen 
into the northern parts of Indian Kashmir.
  There is no doubt that the Pakistani military supported, encouraged, 
and participated in this incursion. To allow U.S. military support to 
the very organization that prompted this action would send the signal 
that the U.S. supports such action. Late today, I received a 
communication from India's Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, expressing his 
government's concern over the repeal of the Pressler amendment. Mr. 
Vaypayee's statement echoes my concern over the signal that this action 
will send to Pakistan, endorsement of the action in Kargil.
  I encourage my colleagues to carefully consider the ramifications of 
repealing this provision at this time and the potential that it has to 
seriously damage our relationship with a long-standing friend, India.

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