Congressional Statements

Pallone says India has reason to fault U.S. policy in Pakistan

Hopes Congress Can Legislate Changes

Press Release
December 5, 2002

Long Branch, NJ --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), who recently visited New Delhi for the World Economic Forum's India Economic Summit, expressed concern that India feels let down by U.S. policy on Pakistan.

"Indian policy makers clearly feel that America's actions towards Pakistan in recent months have jeopardized both Indian and U.S. security interests, and frankly, I tend to agree," Pallone said. "I am hopeful that the new session of Congress beginning in January can reverse some of these policy decisions involving Pakistan, and that the Bush Administration will also have a change of heart."

The New Jersey congressman noted that India's National Security Advisor Brojesh Mishra visits Washington for three days starting on December 9 to meet with U.S. counterpart Condoleeza Rice, and possibly other top cabinet level officials. Pallone hopes that Mishra can impress upon the Bush Administration the problems that Pakistan continues to pose to security in South Asia and other parts of the world.

"It's amazing to me how many international policy makers have warned the president and his advisors about the dangers posed by Pakistan, and yet this administration continues to look the other way," Pallone said. "Just last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned President Bush in Saint Petersburg about Pakistan's lack of reliability in the war against terrorism. Putin pointedly suggested that Osama bin Laden has taken refuge in Pakistan, and the dangers of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal being under the control of a military junta.

"The U.S. Congress should try to reverse the Bush Administration's policy towards Pakistan in several important ways," Pallone continued. "First, Congress should reinstate the Symington Amendment providing for sanctions against Pakistan or any country that transfers nuclear weapons technology to a third party. I also firmly believe there should be no military arms or equipment transfers to Pakistan.

"Secondly, the Congress should reenact the democracy sanctions that were repealed after September 11 as a means of prodding President Musharaff to move closer to democracy," Pallone continued.

Pallone stressed that weapon and military equipment transfers to Pakistan were unacceptable as long as it continues to pose a threat to India's security by encouraging terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Terrorist attacks were renewed with a vengeance at a Hindu temple complex in Kashmir while I was in New Delhi on Sunday, November 24th," Pallone said. "The attack was the third in three days after a period of quiet. I believe that Pakistan has the ability to deter these attacks by applying more pressure on Islamic militants. It is particularly harmful because the new state government in Jammu and Kashmir is trying hard to set the stage for peace.

"Regarding the Pakistani/North Korean arms transfers, the Bush Administration's silence towards Pakistan makes no sense," Pallone continued. "The missile imports to Pakistan are aimed at building a nuclear arsenal capable of reaching every strategic site within India. Pakistan used U.S. built C-130s ostensibly given by Washington to fight terrorism for the operation. North Korea's nuclear weapons could undercut important U.S. security interests in South Korea and Japan."

Pallone stressed that he is not impressed with President Musharraf's alleged movement towards democracy as manifested in the recent parliamentary elections.

"The elections were essentially rigged due to the limitations Musharraf placed on who was eligible to run, and the difficulty opposition parties had in campaigning as compared to those candidates supporting the president. He has managed to pick a Prime Minister favorable to him, and the changes to the constitution he has imposed leave him and the military essentially in control of all government functions. Opposition parties are demanding a return to the former constitution and Musharraf has indicated he might restore it after the New Year. The Bush Administration should demand that happen as a test of his resolve to restore democracy," Pallone concluded.