Congressional Statements

Faleomavaega urges Clinton to waive restrictions on World Bank loans to India

Letter to President Clinton
November 10, 1999

Honorable William J.Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

Recently, my colleagues Ben Gilman, and Sam Gejdenson, Chairman and Ranking Democratic Member of the House International Committee, sent you a letter asking that you waive the current restrictions regarding World Bank loans for India. I want you to know that I concur wholeheartedly in their request.

In addition to the reasons my colleagues provided, all of which I believe are compelling, I wish to add another reason. Should you not waive the restrictions against India, we will find ourselves in the anomalous position of supporting loans for Pakistan, a nation whose military has overthrown a democratically elected government, but opposing loans to India, a parliamentary democracy that has recently and peacefully confirmed the continuity of its government through the ballot box.

Mr. President, I believe it is in the national interest to allow World Bank funds to be loaned to India. I sincerely hope you will soon issue the necessary waiver authority.

With best personal regards,

Sincerely,
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Member of Congress