Congressional Statements

Military Coup in Pakistan

Letter to President Clinton by Barney Frank
October 15, 1999

Dear Mr. President,

I was pleased to see that you do not intend to exercise your right to waive sanctions against Pakistan, even if the legislation granting you such a right is finally signed into law. Not only was the recent coup in Pakistan a repudiation of democracy -- and even an imperfect democracy is preferable to a military coup and military rule -- it is particularly disturbing that an apparent motivation for the overthrow of the civilian regime was its willingness to end the military action in Kashmir. Your efforts to put an end to the fighting in Kashmir were admirable, and we as a government should do nothing to undercut our opposition to any outbreak of hostilities in that area. I therefore urge that you continue to maintain the sanctions against Pakistan until legitimate democratic civilian rule is reestablished, and the government gives full assurances that it will not undertake any military ventures in Kashmir.

Barney Frank