Congressional Statements

Pallone calls on Clinton to press Musharraf on democracy, proliferation and terrorism

Press Release
March 7, 2000

With the announcement from the White House that President Clinton will include a brief visit to Pakistan as part of his upcoming trip to South Asia, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ, called on the President to take a tough line with ruling General Pervez Musharraf on such key issues as democracy, nuclear proliferation and terrorism.

Pallone has opposed including Pakistan on the itinerary, and welcomed the fact that the original itinerary did not include a Pakistani stop when the Clinton trip was first announced.

But, in light of today's announcement, Pallone said he hoped that the Presidential visit would provide an opportunity for candid, productive discussion between the U.S. Chief Executive and the military dictatorship on Islamabad's need to dramatically change its course in a number of key areas.

"It is important that President Clinton express to General Musharraf that the United States is very concerned about Pakistan's role in fomenting instability in Kashmir, about the links between Pakistan and terrorist organizations, and about Pakistan's role in the proliferation of nuclear weapons and missile technology," Pallone said.

"I think that General Musharraf and the other leaders of the Pakistani ruling junta must hear the message that the U.S. does not consider last year's military coup to be acceptable, that the overthrow of a civilian government cannot be allowed to stand as a permanent condition.

"Despite my initial reservations, I hope that the President's visit to Pakistan will offer an opportunity for some straight talk."

Last month, Pallone condemned the military regime in Islamabad for once again provoking a crisis in Kashmir with General Musharraf's visit to the Pakistani-administered area of Kashmir in which he encouraged militant forces there to continue their Jehad in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir - an event that was followed by yet another terrorist attack on a Kashmiri Pandit village.

"It is this type of provocation that the U.S. must express its serious concern about, directly to the Pakistani government," Pallone said. "For years, Pakistan has acknowledged 'political and moral support' for the Kashmir insurgency. But last year's ill-fated Kargil offensive by Pakistan and the reports of Pakistan serving as a base for terrorist groups, combined with the provocative rhetoric from the General earlier this year, suggests a much deeper degree of involvement. We must make clear to General Musharraf that these kinds of words and deeds will only serve to isolate Pakistan. We must make it clear that such actions will not be rewarded by internationalizing the Kashmir conflict."

Pallone also said he hopes Clinton will stress to Musharraf that Pakistan's continued collaboration with China and other nations in the proliferation of nuclear technology, missile systems and other weapons of mass destruction and delivery systems, will no longer be tolerated.

Pallone has frequently praised Clinton for deciding to go to India, expressing the hope that the long-awaited visit will help to strengthen and improve ties between the world's two largest democracies.

Last week, Pallone said that recent threatening moves by China against Taiwan should alert the Administration to the threat that China poses in the region - offering the U.S. and India an opportunity to develop closer bilateral cooperation on defense and security issues to respond to common threats and challenges.

"This is an area where the need for U.S.-India partnership is growing increasingly urgent," Pallone said. "For years, we've seen how the many of the same forces of international terrorism that threaten American interests also pose a direct threat to India's security. We've also seen how India has not engaged in proliferation activities with unstable, authoritarian regimes.

"Toward this end, President Clinton's upcoming trip to India offers an historic opportunity to embark upon a new direction in U.S. policy in Asia. It is an opportunity to confront the threat posed by China to regional and international security, and to make responses to this threat a higher priority.

"The President's trip is also an opportunity for the U.S. to demonstrate that democracy is the key to economic development and security in Asia. India has stuck to this path. Pakistan, unfortunately, has not.

"The President should welcome Pakistan to join the family of democratic nations. But the President should also make it clear that America recognizes, appreciates and celebrates India's long-standing commitment to democracy, and that this commitment is the basis of long-term friendly ties and partnership."