Congressional Statements
Pallone introduces legislation supporting
permanent U.N. Security Council seat for India
Text of Resolution (February 26, 2003)
Press Release ( February 27, 2003)
Washington, DC --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ), founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans,
introduced legislation today supporting a permanent seat in the United
Nations Security Council for India.
Pallone said his legislation, a "Sense of the Congress," allows
the U.S. House of Representatives to go on record in supporting India's
bid for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.
"I believe it is morally wrong to ignore the voice of over one billion
Indian people in security decision-making that affects them, and the rest
of the world," Pallone said. "India's location, its large population,
its history of participating in U.N. peacekeeping operations, and its
leadership in the nonalignment movement all justify its bid for a permanent
seat on the U.N. Security Council.
"All five members of the UN Security Council must realize that having
India as a permanent security council member will give the South Asia
region a stabilizing force, helping peace efforts in Central Asia and
all parts of our increasingly connected world," Pallone continued.
Pallone said that since September 11, India has been dedicated to eradicating
terrorism not only within its own country, but also throughout the world.
India was one of the first nations to say the United States military could
use its strategically placed land during its fight against terrorism.
The New Jersey congressman believes the United States should follow the
lead of one of its most important allies and endorse a permanent seat
for India in the United Nations Security Council. Last year, British Deputy
Prime Minister John Prescott informed his Indian counterpart, Deputy Prime
Minister L K Advani, that the United Kingdom backed India's candidacy
to the Council. Britain joins France and Russia in supporting India's
permanent inclusion in the Security Council.
"It is time for this Congress and the Bush Administration to recognize
the importance India plays in the region and the world and support its
bid for a permanent seat at the U.N. Security Council," Pallone concluded.
Text of Pallone Resolution H.RES.108
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that India should
be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. (Introduced
in House)
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 108
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that India should
be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 26, 2003
Mr. PALLONE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on International Relations
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that India should
be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that India
should be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
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