Congressional Statements
Military Coup in Pakistan
Remarks of Howard Berman in the House of Representatives
October 14, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the military coup in Pakistan is an unfortunate setback
for democracy in South Asia. It stands in stark contrast to last month's
elections in India , which reaffirmed that nation's strong commitment
to democratic values.
Until democracy is restored in Islamabad, it would be a mistake for the
Clinton administration to waive existing sanctions that prohibit arms
transfers and military training. In addition, the administration should
immediately take steps to invoke section 508 of the Foreign Operations
Appropriations Act, which prohibits certain foreign assistance to any
country whose duly elected head of government has been deposed in a military
coup.
Democracy in Pakistan was far from perfect under Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif. Indeed, his government severely limited free political expression
and often failed to respect basic human rights. Nevertheless, the fact
remains that Sharif and his party were supported by an overwhelming majority
of voters in 1997 elections judged to be free and fair. The failings of
his administration do not justify the military's subversion of the constitutional
order.
At times the Clinton administration has gone out of its way to avoid
triggering section 508. For example, Hun Sen's bloody 1997 takeover of
the Cambodian Government, in which over 40 military and political leaders
were killed, was never designated as a coup. Although Gen. Pervez Musharraf's
recent coup was 'bloodless,' and despite the fact that applying section
508 to Pakistan would only involve only a very limited amount of aid,
we must send a strong signal to other would-be military strongmen that
the United States will not tolerate such antidemocratic actions.
I urge the Clinton administration to promptly apply section 508 to Pakistan.
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