Congressional Statements

Pallone calls for House action on resolution condemning Pakistani coup

Press Release
March 10, 2000

Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ, is calling on the Speaker of the House of Representatives to expedite action on legislation to condemn last October's military coup d'etat in Pakistan.

Pallone has written to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) urging that that Resolution be brought to a vote in the House (text of letter below).

Pallone also stressed the importance for Congress to condemn the coup in Islamabad during a statement on the House floor on Wednesday, March 8.

In his House speech, Pallone said he hoped that President Clinton's upcoming trip to Pakistan would provide an opportunity for candid, productive discussions between the U.S. President and the Pakistani ruling generals with regard to the need for Pakistan to change course in a number of vital areas.

The New Jersey Congressman submitted for the Congressional Record an editorial from the New York Times of March 8, 2000, entitled "Troubled Trip to Pakistan" which raised many of the same concerns that have been cited by Pallone and other Members of Congress.

"It is important that President Clinton express to Pakistani General Pervez 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 stated in his House speech. "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 in Pakistan."

During his statement, Pallone continued: "On the issue of the Pakistani coup, Mr. Speaker, I believe that this Congress must make a firm statement of our opposition and displeasure with the seizure of power by means of a coup d'etat, and that civilian, democratically-elected government be restored. Last October, right after the coup, legislation was introduced in this House by the Gentleman from Connecticut, Mr. Gejdenson, the Ranking Member on the House International Relations Committee. Unfortunately, that Resolution has not yet been acted upon by this House.

"I am sending a letter to the distinguished Speaker of the House, Mr. Hastert, urging that this important Resolution be scheduled for a vote as soon as possible. I urge my colleagues to join me on this initiative," Pallone added.

The following is the text of Pallone's letter to Speaker Hastert:

The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker of The House
H-232 The Capitol

Dear Mr. Speaker:

I am writing to respectfully urge that you do all in your power to ensure the expedited consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 200, sponsored by our colleague, Mr. Gejdenson of Connecticut. This Resolution expresses the strong opposition of Congress to the military coup in Pakistan and calls for a civilian, democratically-elected government to be returned to power in Pakistan.

The Resolution was introduced in the House on October 19, 1999, and reported by the International Relations Committee on October 27, 1999. In the final days of the first session of the 106th Congress, the House took action on a number of legislative initiatives from the International Relations Committee. Yet this important and timely resolution was not brought up at that time. The first session thus adjourned without the United States Congress taking a stand against the overthrow of a civilian government in a major nation. Since our return to Washington in the year 2000, we have still failed to express our opposition to the seizure of power by the junta that continues to rule in Islamabad.

Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, President Clinton will be traveling to South Asia later this month, and a brief stop in Pakistan will be on his itinerary. Members of the House and Senate have expressed the hope that the President will make it clear to the Pakistani military dictatorship that the United States opposes the military coup in Pakistan and seeks the return to power of a civilian, democratically-elected government. The United States has a vital interest in promoting democracy abroad. Likewise, our nation has a significant interest in promoting security and stability in the South Asia region. Furthermore, the American people are deeply concerned that the armed forces of Pakistan respect the human rights of all Pakistani citizens, including those members of the national government who are currently detained and being tried in violation of their constitutional and human rights. I believe it would give great added weight to the diplomatic and moral position of the United States if what is often called the "people's House" made these statements of principle a matter of record by adopting this Resolution.

Thank you for your attention to this request. I await your response.