Congressional Statements

Of Presidents and Pakistan

Rep. Jim McDermott Statement in the House of Representatives
March 14, 2000

Mr. Speaker, I have taken the floor this afternoon to bring attention to the situation in the state of Pakistan. President Clinton has decided to include a stop in Pakistan during his upcoming tour to India and other parts of South Asia. I do not agree with his decision to include Pakistan. I do not believe that it is right to reward this military government which forcibly seized power from a democratically elected government with such a high level visit.

Pakistan has undergone political upheaval during most of its 52-year history. The military has overthrown the democratically elected government four times, the latest being in November of last year. General Pervez Musharraf joined the long list of Pakistani generals who have usurped power in the unstable history of Pakistan.

But unlike his three predecessors, General Musharraf has not laid out a plan to return to democracy. He has said he will not allow a democratically elected government to come to power unless there are major and deep-seated institutional reforms in place. However, he has not acted to institute any changes that would help Pakistan's government meet even these vague requirements. As far as I am aware, he has only instituted minor revenue reforms.

Minor revenue reform is not what Pakistan needs. The Pakistani economy has all but collapsed; the judiciary is operating under obscene loyalty oaths; a small upper class has a stranglehold on land and water rights, and the military and the intelligence service have carte-blanche to fly in the face of international law. Pakistan needs major overhauls of its institutions, not minor tax reforms.

Pakistan spends 50 percent of its budget on debt service and 40 percent of its budget on the military. This ratio is stunning, and it is particularly alarming when you consider that Pakistan now has nuclear weapons. Economic growth is less than 2 percent, and foreign investment is almost nonexistent. Musharraf has not demonstrated his desire to invoke real reforms. If he did, he would tax, for the first time ever, the agricultural sector. This sector contributes 25 percent of Pakistan's GDP and employs 60 percent of the population. But Musharraf is unwilling to take any steps that could anger the feudal landlords who run Pakistan. He has shown that he is more interested in remaining in power than returning Pakistan to democracy.

The constitution and rule of law have been suspended in Pakistan. The judiciary is in turmoil: defense lawyers are being gunned down and judges are being forced to acquiesce to oaths of personal fealty to strongman Musharraf.

The total lack of justice is evidenced by the fate of Nawaz Sharif, the man who was elected by the people of Pakistan and overthrown by Musharraf. In a recent interview by the Washington Post and Newsweek, Musharraf was asked why Sharif was on trial for attempted murder and hijacking - not just corruption. Musharraf answered "Because he did do that".

His guilt was not decided in a court of law -- it is an edict from the military leader. Nawaz Sharif will be found guilty and executed in accordance with General Musharraf's law. The degradation of the rule of law in Pakistan defies the sensibilities of the world and contradicts the definition of a modern nation-state. If Pakistan is to take its rightful place in the community of nations; Pakistan must reestablish the judicial process.

With the rule of law suspended, Pakistan's military and intelligence service, ISI, have conducted illegal operations that are inciting violence and tensions in South Asia. Musharraf says in the interview that he has total control over the intelligence service, and that they are not involved in terrorist activities. This contradicts what is commonly reported in the world media, and Musharraf's previous statements about ISI's activities in Kashmir. I ask again, how can Pakistan take its place in the world community if it constantly allows its services to defy international law by conducting military and terrorist activities inside another nation?

That is why I am concerned about President Clinton's visit.

Many experts have said that the Pakistani General hopes to use Mr. Clinton's trip to persuade the United States of what Musharraf calls "the righteousness of Pakistan's position on Kashmir."

I call upon President Clinton to refrain from involvement in the Kashmir dispute until both sides ask for our help. Instead, Mr. Clinton should put aside the gentle language of diplomacy and use this opportunity to demand that Pakistan move without pause towards full and fair elections. Pakistan is a sick state. Democratic elections will not cure what ails Pakistan; however, the healing process cannot begin without them.