Congressional Statements

Pallone calls for resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue

Seeks to Build on Momentum Begun with Clinton's Trip

Press Release
May 8, 2000

Following up on President Clinton's recent trip to South Asia, Rep. Frank Pallone, D-NJ, called for a renewed commitment to bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan in the spirit of the Lahore declaration.

Pallone spoke this evening in the House of Representatives on the importance of direct talks between the South Asian neighbors to address the Kashmir conflict. He noted that India stands ready, and that the bilateral approach is supported in Washington, but expressed concern that "mixed signals" have been emanating from Islamabad. Citing recent threatening statements from a leader of the Pakistani-backed insurgency movement in Kashmir, Pallone stressed that Pakistan needs to chart a new course to avoid continued isolation.

In his statement in the House this evening, Pallone noted, that, "We have seen some reason for hope about the resumption of a dialogue between India and Pakistan on resolving the Kashmir conflict. But, we have also received a reminder of how difficult the path toward dialogue can be.

"On the hopeful side, the United States has asked Pakistan to take 'concrete steps' for the resumption of a 'productive dialogue' with India and a return to what is known as the 'spirit of Lahore' so that there will be 'no more Kargils,'" Pallone said. Noting the significance of the meeting in Lahore between Prime Minister Vajpayee, and the former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pallone said, "Given the long-standing animosity between the two South Asian neighbors, the image of the two prime ministers embracing and pledging to work in a spirit of partnership and respect was heartwarming, promising a new era in bilateral relations.

"But, a short time later, there was Kargil," he added, citing the events that began in May of 1999. "This bold gambit by Pakistan was not successful militarily. Ultimately, it proved to be even more of a disaster diplomatically for Pakistan. The United States urged Pakistan to withdraw its forces back to its side of the Line of Control. Furthermore, our government refused to go along with Pakistan's bid to strengthen its position by internationalizing the crisis, by trying to get the U.S. to step in as a mediator in the bilateral dispute.

"What little was left of the spirit of Lahore was further eroded last October when a military coup in Pakistan removed the civilian government from power and threw Prime Minister Sharif in jail," Pallone continued.

Pallone cited a recent interview in which Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Karl F. Inderfurth, said that a solution to the Kashmir conflict must be "home grown" and not exported from the outside: "Mr. Inderfurth stressed that the State Department was trying to move away from the old days when there was typically a pro-Pakistan tilt in U.S. policy in the region, to a more evenhanded approach for working with both of the major South Asian nation." Pallone cited Inderfurth's statement that, "Right now, we have more opportunities to pursue with India, and frankly, right now we have many more concerns about the direction Pakistan is heading." Inderfurth also expressed hope that Pakistan would take "concrete steps that would allow a productive and series dialogue to be resumed with India."

"I would stress that the most helpful concrete step that Pakistan could take would be to do all in its power to end the cross-border terrorism that has caused so much suffering to the people of Kashmir, Hindu and Muslim alike," Pallone said. "While India has made clear its willingness to negotiate in good faith with Pakistan, India also has to maintain a vigilant defensive posture for as long as the Pakistani-supported cross-border terrorism continues.

"I believe that President Clinton's recent trip to South Asia, which I had the opportunity to take part in, has played a significant role in helping to reduce tensions and hostility. The President made it clear to both Indian and Pakistani leaders that the U.S. would be happy to work with both countries as friends, to try to encourage dialogue, but that it is not our place to dictate the terms of the peace process, much less the outcome. The great thing about the Lahore process is that it arose as a bilateral initiative between India and Pakistan. The key for breathing life into the bilateral Lahore declarations is for Pakistan to accept India's outstretched hand. So far, Pakistan has been sending somewhat mixed signals.

"Meanwhile, we have seen how dangerous the Kashmiri militant movement - which is supported by Pakistan - has become. Over the weekend, we heard from one of those militant leaders, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, who was one of the three militants freed last December by the Indian government in exchange for freeing the innocent hostages being held in the hijacked Indian Airlines plane. According to a news account from the Associated Press, Mr. Zargar dismissed the idea of negotiations with India, promising to stay on the path of

, or holy war. He threatened punishment for any Kashmiri who opened talks with India. This is the true face of the so-called "freedom" movement in Kashmir.

"By taking steps toward negotiations, Pakistan could help to isolate and undercut these terrorist groups operating in Kashmir. So far, Pakistan has done just the opposite, actively supporting the terrorists. At some point, however, I hope that the Pakistani leadership will recognize that this strategy is increasingly turning Pakistan into a pariah state. If and when Pakistan changes its course, they will find a willing negotiating partner in India, and a supportive friend in the United States," Pallone concluded.