Congressional Statements

The President's visit to Pakistan is no endorsement of military coup

Statement by Rep. Pallone in the House of Representatives
March 15, 2000

Mr. Speaker, as President Clinton prepares for his historic trip to South Asia, I wanted to address some of the key concerns that are sure to arise during his visit to Pakistan. While most of the President's trip will be spent in India, the world's largest democracy, and in Bangladesh, the President will also be traveling, at the end of his trip, to Pakistan. He will meet with General Pervez Musharraf, who seized power from the democratic, civilian government, in a military coup last October.

Mr. Speaker, recently, Lally Weymouth of the Washington Post conducted an interview with Pakistan's military dictator, General Musharraf. In the interview, the general made some statements that cannot go unchallenged.

It is apparent from the General's comments that Pakistan is trying to create the appearance that the visit by the President of the United States constitutes an endorsement of the military coup. In particular, General Musharraf stated of the President's decision to go to Pakistan, [quote] "It's also recognition of the righteousness of our stand in Kashmir."

Now, Mr. Speaker, the White House has tried to make it clear that the trip does not represent an endorsement of the overthrow of Pakistan's civilian, elected government by General Musharraf.

In case there is any doubt, I would like to quote from President Clinton directly. Last Thursday, March 9th, President Clinton said of his upcoming visit to Pakistan, and I quote: "I think it would be a mistake not to go, but it would be a grave mistake for people to think that my going represents some sort of endorsement of a non-democratic process which occurred there."

The President went on to say that his visit is a "recognition ... that America's interests and values will be advanced if we maintain some contact with the Pakistani government." He added, "I think that our ability to have a positive influence on the future direction of Pakistan, in terms of the restoration of democracy, in terms of the ultimate resolution of issues in the Indian subcontinent and in terms of avoiding further dangerous conflicts, will be greater if we maintain our cooperation." I want to emphasize that in this statement by the President, and in all of the statements from the White House and the State Department about the President's decision to visit Pakistan, it has been stated and reiterated that the restoration of democracy is a key objective.

In her statement yesterday to the Asia Society, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said, "The President will make clear our support for an early return to democratic rule, as well as our ongoing friendship with the Pakistani people."

What is even harder to take seriously is the General's statement about the "righteousness" of Pakistan's stand in Kashmir. Pakistan's involvement in Kashmir has consisted of supporting an ongoing terrorist campaign that has cost the lives of thousands of innocent civilians, mostly Hindus but also many Muslims. Last year, Pakistan further escalated tensions in the region by launching an attack against India's side of the Line of Control in Kashmir in the area of Kargil. This disastrous military campaign was condemned by the United States and other major nations.

It has been widely reported that General Musharraf was the architect of the Kargil attack. In his response to a question on this from the Washington Post, the General said, "Whatever happened was the government's decision." This is an interesting admission, given Pakistan's earlier insistence that the hostilities in the Kargil area were the work of indigenous Kashmiri forces. Clearly, the fact that this was a government decision indicates that the Pakistani armed forces were directly involved. And General Musharraf was the Army Chief of Staff at the time.

When confronted by the Washington Post about radical Islamist groups based in Pakistan that fight in Kashmir and Afghanistan, with connections to the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan's intelligence service, General Musharraf claimed that, "I give full assurance and guarantees that no group on Pakistan's soil is involved in terrorism," and that "there is no government support." The facts tell a different story, Mr. Speaker. Western media sources have cited Pakistan as a base and training ground for terrorist groups. As of 1999, intelligence reports have estimated that over 200 terrorist and militant camps are operating in Pakistan.

Mr. Speaker, President Clinton has stated that the U.S. will not mediate the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan unless and until both countries agree to U.S. mediation. He clearly is not taking sides on the issue of whether India versus Pakistan is more "righteous" with regard to Kashmir.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that President Clinton's upcoming meeting with General Musharraf will be an opportunity to demonstrate to General Musharraf that he and the regime that he leads cannot continue with the current policy of suppressing democracy and on provoking a conflict with India over Kashmir.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the Gentleman from Washington, Mr. McDermott, shares many of the same concerns I have about General Musharraf's recent statements, and on the important issues that the U.S. must stress in our relationship with Pakistan, and I would like to also associate myself with his remarks.