[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 29785-29788]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1315

  EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF CONGRESS FOR RECENT ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIC OF 
                                 INDIA

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 211) expressing the strong 
support of the Congress for the recently concluded elections in the 
Republic of India and urging the President to travel to India.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 211

       Whereas the Republic of India is a longstanding 
     parliamentary democracy where citizens may freely change 
     their government;
       Whereas India has a thriving multiparty system where a 
     broad spectrum of political views are represented;
       Whereas India recently conducted a successful round of 
     elections, involving over 650,000,000 registered voters and 
     resulting in a 60 percent voter turnout and re-election of 
     Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee;
       Whereas India and the United States share a special 
     relationship as the world's most populous democracy and the 
     world's oldest democracy, respectively, and have a shared 
     commitment to upholding the will of the people and the rule 
     of law;
       Whereas the President has expressed his continued desire to 
     travel to South Asia; and
       Whereas India continues to be a shining example of 
     democracy for all of Asia to follow: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) congratulates the people of the Republic of India on 
     the successful conclusion of their recent national elections;
       (2) congratulates Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 
     his re-election;
       (3) calls on the President to travel to India as part of 
     any trip to South Asia; and
       (4) urges the President to broaden our special relationship 
     with India into a strategic partnership.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ballenger). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Campbell) and the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Campbell).


                             General Leave

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H. Con. Res. 211.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ballenger). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
for just a brief comment on the importance of this resolution to 
recognize the remarkable achievements of the largest democracy in the 
world, to recognize the recent election in India and the importance of 
ending the remaining sanctions of an economic nature that were imposed 
so that relations with India can continue to improve for the benefit of 
our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), the subcommittee chairman.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 211 was considered by the Subcommittee on 
Asia and the Pacific on October 27 and was unanimously approved. It is 
introduced by the gentleman from New

[[Page 29786]]

York (Mr. Ackerman), the gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman), and 
others.
  The resolution rightly congratulates the people of India on a 
successful election where over 350 million voters cast their ballots.
  The reelection of Prime Minister Vajpayee reflects a vibrant 
multiparty system where parties with strongly differing views can 
compete in a way that is uniquely Indian. We certainly wish the BJP 
party and its ruling coalition well as it prepares to continue to lead 
the country.
  The resolution rightly alludes to the strategic relationship between 
the United States of America and India. We certainly have such a 
strategic relationship with India, just as we have a strategic 
relationship with many other countries in the region.
  I urge adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, first I want to commend my distinguished colleague, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman), for introducing this 
resolution, as well as my colleagues on the other side, the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman of the committee; the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), the chairman of the 
subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific; and my good friend, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Campbell).
  I also want to commend the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. 
Gejdenson), the ranking Democrat on the committee, for his efforts in 
bringing this legislation before the body.
  Our resolution, Mr. Speaker, expresses our strong support and 
admiration for the recently concluded elections in India. It is not 
easy to have a society with over 650 million registered voters, many of 
them living in conditions of dire poverty, to undertake this monumental 
democratic effort. But the Indian government got the job done by 
stretching the elections out over a period of a month, by mobilizing 
civil servants, students, and other volunteers to ensure that the 
elections are fair, professional, and accurate.
  Often, Mr. Speaker, when we talk about the Subcontinent, we 
immediately focus on the relationship between India and Pakistan; and 
this is not an inappropriate moment to focus on that relationship.
  While India undertook this monumental free and democratic election, 
there was a military coup in Pakistan where the democratically elected 
government was thrown out of office and its leaders imprisoned.
  I think it is important for all of us, Members of Congress and 
presidential candidates, to understand that a military coup is not 
something that should be applauded by the American people or Members of 
our Congress or any political figure.
  One of the most important relationships we have is the relationship 
with the world's largest political democracy, India.
  For a long time, Mr. Speaker, people were making comparisons between 
China and India, pointing out how effective China's leadership has been 
in bringing economic progress, even though they maintain their police 
state and their dictatorship.
  In recent years, we have come to see with great pleasure that India 
was not only able to maintain its political democracy but was able to 
make tremendous strides in the economic field.
  The resolution before us today commends the Indians on their recent 
elections, congratulates Prime Minister Vajpayee on his reelection, and 
calls on our President to visit India as part of his scheduled South 
Asia trip and urges the President to further broaden and strengthen our 
relations with our fellow democracy, India.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 211.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), the 
distinguished ranking member of the Committee on International 
Relations.
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleagues, 
particularly the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), in his 
articulate support for the resolution commending India on its election.
  India stands in stark contrast to almost all of its neighbors from 
Burma and over to China, obviously, and the very sad situation recently 
with the coup in Pakistan.
  What we see is India, which is among the poorer countries in the 
world, having an incredibly vibrant democracy. Oftentimes we think 
there is a certain fundamental level of economic strength before 
countries can have democratic institutions. India continues to build 
its democratic institutions, its economic reform package will help, but 
it has sustained a democratic government for over 50 years and does 
stand in stark contrast to many of the countries in its regions.
  I am frustrated that we are not going to be apparently able to bring 
forward the resolution on Pakistan because I think it is important for 
this Congress to speak clearly about the importance of democratic 
institutions. India and the United States have a strong relationship 
that is going to continue to grow.
  As the gentleman from California pointed out, some people in 
obviously a misguided assessment have felt that somehow a coup in 
Pakistan would bring stability. Pakistan has already had its coups and 
more than its share of coups, and one lasted almost a dozen years. It 
did not lead to an improved and perfect democracy.
  The only way to improve democracy and perfect it is the same way we 
do it here in the United States, the same way that India does it, to 
improve its institutions, its court systems, to make the government 
process more transparent, and to build confidence in its citizenry.
  So I am thrilled to be here with my colleagues today recognizing 
India's achievement in an area of the world where very few others have 
had democratic institutions, but also to note my objection to the fact 
that this House is apparently thwarting the will of the Members of the 
Committee on International Relations in the failure to bring forward 
the resolution recognizing the damage that the coup in Pakistan will do 
to democratic institutions in Pakistan.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman) will control the time for the majority.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the distinguished 
chairman of our subcommittee.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, let me just say that this resolution brings a very 
needed focus on what should be one of our most important bilateral 
relations, and that is our relationship with the Republic of India.
  For many years during the Cold War, relations between India and the 
United States were cool, at best. We had tensions. We had political and 
economic and security tensions at the time.
  Thankfully, those relations have changed. They have changed because, 
in part, India has changed. Economic reform has allowed the Indian 
people to begin to realize their very considerable economic potential. 
And India's foreign policy is now free of Cold War shackles.
  As a matter of fact, on the economic front, Prime Minister Vajpayee 
has called for considerable economic reforms this week, and we look 
forward to working with India. Many of us in Congress have been working 
to see that U.S. policy changes to deal with this new India.
  As this resolution states, the President should travel to India. This 
trip would be most welcomed and would go a long way towards ringing in 
a new era of U.S.-India relations.
  One thing that has not changed is India's commitment to democracy. 
This resolution congratulates the people of India on a successful 
conclusion of their recent national elections. These

[[Page 29787]]

were elections, as we have heard, that involved 650 million people. 
Indians are proud, and rightfully so, that theirs is the world's 
largest democracy.
  India, of course, faces many challenges ahead. Poverty and pockets of 
religious extremism exist. Economic reform must be accelerated, and 
India confronts grave security threats.
  The United States needs to be part of the solution of these 
challenges. India is too important a country for the United States to 
ignore. We have a direct stake in India's security and in its 
prosperity, and this resolution is a way of bringing attention to the 
many interests the United States shares with India. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), the 
chairman of the subcommittee, for bringing this forward.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to my 
friend and colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), who has been 
one of the most effective members of the Committee on International 
Relations.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me 
the time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution because it 
does exactly what we should be doing here in Congress. We should be 
encouraging and supporting nations that have made the choice to become 
democracies.
  That is something we do not do enough here in Washington. I think we 
need to start rewarding countries like India and Taiwan that give their 
people the right to live under the rule of law.
  Last month, India had an election that saw over 350 million people 
choose to show up at the polls to select a new government, easily the 
largest election in world history.

                              {time}  1330

  Think about that. A country of nearly 1 billion people with a middle 
class of 300 million, with more Muslims than any other country in the 
world except for Indonesia. A country that just 50 years ago was still 
a colony of England and before that had been ruled by the same feudal 
system for thousands of years. It is pretty clear that if this country 
of one billion people can overcome its problems and elect a government 
that serves the people's needs, then our State Department, our U.S. 
Trade Representative's Office and the Republicans in this Congress 
should quit lavishing all their attention on the People's Republic of 
China and start working with our sister democracy in India to bring 
stability to South and to East Asia.
  Before closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to note last week when the 
Committee on International Relations unanimously approved this 
resolution, we also overwhelmingly approved a resolution condemning the 
military coup in Pakistan and calling for the immediate restoration of 
democratic rule in that country. The Republican leadership deliberately 
prevented this resolution from coming to the floor which sends the 
wrong message to would-be dictators around the world, whether they are 
in Nigeria or Pakistan or North Korea. Instead, we need to support and 
encourage the development of democratic institutions. While I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution, I hope the Republican leadership 
will condemn the ouster of Pakistan's elected government by yet another 
military dictatorship.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), a member of the Committee 
on International Relations.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution commending India for having yet another free election which 
again underscores India's commitment to democracy. Over the last four 
decades, however, let us recognize that India has not, and I repeat, 
not been a friend of the United States. During the Cold War, India 
consistently voted against the United States, consistently condemned 
everything that they could about the things we were doing while 
overlooking misdeeds of the Soviet Union.
  They were, in fact, a friend of Russia and the Soviet Union and not a 
friend of the United States. However, with that said, the Cold War is 
over and India's commitment to democracy, as demonstrated by this free 
election, I think should bring the United States and India closer 
together in the future. Yes, we should forget any disagreements we had 
in the past and work on those things that bind us together with this 
great, huge democracy. I agree with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Brown). Our businessmen and people of the United States should look to 
India, this democracy, in terms of investment and in terms of trying to 
work together economically and politically rather than with the world's 
worst human rights abuser in China.
  And so I rise in support of this resolution and hope it draws 
attention of the American people to the great opportunities that India 
has to offer now. Let me just say that with the Cold War being over and 
with us dealing now with a democracy that has reached its hand out as 
we are trying to reach our hand out in friendship to India, let us also 
recognize that we share a common threat and it is a threat to world 
peace as well.
  The aggressiveness of Communist China is nowhere more felt than in 
the subcontinent in India. If we are to preserve the peace in the 
world, let us recognize that while India is moving forward with 
democracy, Communist China is not, and the expansion of Communist 
China's military power is a threat to both India and the United States 
and all free people. Let us recognize democracy counts and applaud 
India for the election that it just had.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) who is using this 
opportunity of expressing himself probably more frequently and more 
eloquently than any of us in this whole body.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution offered 
by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman). I want to thank the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for those kind remarks and for 
yielding me the time.
  I want to say, Mr. Speaker, I think as representatives in what is 
often referred to as the People's House here in the United States it is 
most appropriate that we should pay tribute to the successful elections 
in India and to their democracy and to offer our best wishes to those 
who were elected and reelected, who are our counterparts.
  I want to say, though, it is disturbing to me as has been mentioned 
by some of my colleagues already that the resolution with regard to 
Pakistan is not coming up at this time. I am not sure I understand the 
reason, but I think that it is unfortunate because I think it is very 
appropriate at this time for us to basically call attention to the fact 
that we as a Congress and as a House of Representatives are not happy 
with the military coup d'etat in Pakistan and at the developments that 
have taken place there which are in sharp contrast to the democracy and 
the election that took place in India.
  In fact, in the past few weeks, the headlines from South Asia have 
been dominated by the news from Pakistan where the coup took place. It 
was a very disturbing development which has been condemned by me and 
many of my colleagues here in Congress. Unfortunately, there is often a 
tendency to lump India and Pakistan together, to see all developments 
in South Asia as a function of the conflicts between India and 
Pakistan.
  In fact, Mr. Speaker, what we now see in South Asia are two great 
nations moving in completely different directions. While Pakistan is 
mired in military coups and economic collapse, India sticks to its path 
of democracy and economic reform. We are seeing some indications that 
U.S. policy is beginning to accommodate some of the important 
distinctions between these two countries.
  Last year after India and Pakistan conducted nuclear tests, a wide 
range of economic sanctions were imposed on both countries. About a 
year ago, Congress and the President acted to waive these sanctions for 
1 year. Last month, under the renewed waiver authority,

[[Page 29788]]

President Clinton waived the economic sanctions on India but kept most 
of the sanctions against Pakistan in response to the coup. The White 
House National Security Council noted this difference between the two. 
So while I am here today and I am very happy about this resolution, I 
do want to point out that we should have had the other resolution on 
the floor; and I hope that it will be brought to the floor soon.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and the ranking minority 
member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific for crafting this 
resolution. I commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for 
his continuing leadership and expertise in crafting appropriate 
legislation regarding the Asia and Pacific region. I also want to 
commend our distinguished cochairman of the India caucus, the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Ackerman), for his efforts to ensure that Indian 
Americans have a voice on Capitol Hill. It is well known and 
appreciated that he does that continually.
  The President recently waived some of the economic sanctions against 
India. Two weeks ago, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) 
and I sent a letter to the President urging that he waive the last 
remaining economic sanction against India. That sanction requires that 
the United States oppose international financial institution loans to 
India. These loans are critically needed for infrastructure projects in 
the poorest areas of India.
  Moreover, a waiver of these loans will benefit U.S. companies that 
want to work on those projects. India recently went through its third 
general election in 3 years. That election started on September 5 and 
it ended October 4. The process took about a month because there were 
some 600 million voters and thousands of polling stations spread 
throughout that large nation. It was an orderly process even though it 
was such a mammoth undertaking.
  Our mutual faith in the rule of law, the process of democracy, and 
the deep respect for the world's different religious traditions are 
what tie our two peoples so closely together. It is due to these 
similar core values that India and the United States see eye to eye on 
so many regional concerns. China's hegemony; the spread of Islamic 
terrorism spilling out of Afghanistan and Pakistan; the narco-
dictatorship in Burma; and the occupation of Tibet. These are all 
serious matters that will only be resolved by a teamwork of leaders of 
our two nations working closely together. A closer relationship with 
India is long overdue. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 
211.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Minge).
  Mr. MINGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for 
yielding me this time. For many of us, we came of age at a time when 
India was providing a very independent voice in world councils. For 
many of us, we grew up reading about Mahatma Gandhi and his 
contribution to nonviolent resistance and the struggle that he led for 
independence of the Indian subcontinent. We recognized that India, 
although a very complex place, was playing a crucial role in the 
emerging world and respected that role.
  I think that it is important for our country to recognize that as the 
world's largest democracy, representative democracy, that we have a 
special relationship with India where we may be the longest standing 
constitutional democracy but India is the largest. And to nurture this 
relationship, to have our President visit India in his forthcoming 
travels, is important for the American presence in world affairs. So I 
would like to join with my colleagues in complimenting India for what 
it has accomplished, urging it to continue to stay the course, and 
affirming the friendship and support of this institution for our 
friends in the Indian subcontinent.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 
In concluding the discussion on our side, I again would like to urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution. There is such a sharp contrast 
between the Communist authorities in China cracking down on a spiritual 
movement which by nonviolent means expresses the desire for brotherhood 
among all peoples, the Falun Gong, which has been persecuted, its 
members imprisoned and beaten, in some cases killed, and the democratic 
developments in India.
  We are indeed fortunate that this large and great country of one 
billion people has steadfastly adhered to democratic principles ever 
since its establishment as an independent country. I think we are 
extremely pleased in this body to be able to pass this resolution, to 
pay tribute to a fellow democracy, to pay tribute to the Indian people 
who have recognized the enormous importance of preserving free 
elections, parliamentary procedures and open society. I urge all my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
211. I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee 
on his re-election. More importantly, I wish to salute the citizens of 
the Republic of India. With a 60 percent voter turnout, the people of 
the Republic of India have once again stabilized the largest democracy 
in the world. In relative political turmoil in the region over the past 
six months, India has successfully completed a round of national 
elections. I am continually impressed at the level of political 
activity and involvement of the Indian people. Particularly inspiring 
is the fact that this involvement spans social and economic classes. 
While election violence in India has been an issue, the election in 
October was one of the most peaceful in recent history. The 
determination of the Indian citizens to be part of the political 
process and to preserve their parliamentary democracy should serve as 
an example to democracies around the globe, including the United 
States. The people of the Republic of India deserve our support and 
congratulations. Often it seems that our government is more anxious to 
develop relationships with and provide aid to governments that are not 
democratic. Sometimes dealing with democracies is more difficult, more 
complicated. But why wouldn't this be a priority condition to be a 
valued American friend. I urge members to join me in supporting this 
resolution.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ballenger). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Campbell) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House 
Concurrent Resolution 211.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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