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Letter to co-sponsor "Pakistan Enduring Assistance Cooperation Enhancement" (PEACE) -- H. R. 1886 introduced by Congressman Howard Berman

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Dear Representative .......

My name is ....... and I am a resident of your congressional district. I am writing to you because there is a new bill that Congressman Howard Berman (D-California) has just introduced in the House and I would appreciate if you would co-sponsor this proposed legislation, for it has potentially far reaching geopolitical ramifications for the United States, Pakistan and our long term ability to win the campaign against terrorism.

The bill in question is the Pakistan Enduring Assistance Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2009 [or, the PEACE Act of 2009] -- H. R. 1886.

Today, it is common knowledge that the epicenter of global terrorism is Pakistan, and more specifically, its Northern and Western territories that abut Afghanistan and Iran. Based on preliminary numbers, it is also a fact that Pakistan is soon going to become the second largest recipient of United States aid, after Israel. Hence, it is imperative that our funding is done carefully, managed to appropriate metrics, monitored meticulously and appropriate feedback loops created to ensure that aid is tied to Pakistan delivering on its commitment.

The PEACE bill of 2009 (H. R. 1886) does precisely all of this. Here are some of the highlights of the proposed legislation:

The bill clearly directs Pakistan, “not to provide any support, direction, guidance to or acquiescence in the activities of any person or group that engages in any degree in acts of violence or intimidation against civilians, civilian groups or government entities.”

The proposed bill asks the United States to redouble its efforts to work with the Government of Pakistan through all appropriate means in establishing counter insurgency and counter terrorism strategies to prevent any territory of Pakistan from being used as a base or conduit for terrorist attacks in Pakistan, Afghanistan or elsewhere.

With reference to the involvement of the military and intelligence agency in supporting terrorist activities, the bill demands Pakistan cease support to extremists and terrorist groups, particularly to any group that has conducted attacks against United States or Coalition forces in Afghanistan or against the territory of India or the people of India.

In a section entitled Sense of Congress, the bill states that the conditions in Pakistan will only be improved through regional coordination and cooperation, and long term security in Pakistan depends on strengthening regional relationships among India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

It recommends increasing oversight of educational curricula in schools, including Madrasas, and states that these religious schools not be used to incite terrorism. It further demands the closing of Madrasas found to have links to terrorists.

Congressman Berman’s Bill also deals with the sale of nuclear technology reportedly by Mr. A.Q. Khan of Pakistan. It states that Pakistan provide access to United States investigators to individuals suspected of engaging in worldwide proliferation of nuclear material. It asks Pakistan to restrict such individuals from travel or any other activity that could result in further proliferation. Pakistan has refused to investigate the activities of Khan and has recently released him from house arrest.

The proposal by Berman demands complete transparency and accountability of the aid given to Pakistan. It requires a report from the Comptroller General to Congressional Committees evaluating the effectiveness of security assistance provided to Pakistan and asks for a detailed description of the expenditures made by Pakistan.

This is the first time that the United States, which has given over $10 billion in aid to Pakistan, has attached conditions of accountability and transparency to future aid and has directed Pakistan to dismantle all terrorist training camps on its territory. With this bill, we finally have an opportunity to methodically work on reducing the risk of a future attack on American soil and American interests worldwide by working with the Pakistanis on dismantling the very nerve center of global jihadi terrorism.

Hence, as my representative, I would implore you to consider becoming a co-sponsor of this bill, which would go a long way in ensuring its passage through the House.

Respectfully,