Congressional Statements

Congressman Wexler Calls on President Clinton to Withhold Military Assistance to Pakistan

Press Release
October 14, 1999

In the wake of the recent military coup in Pakistan, which toppled the nation's democratically elected government, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) is strongly urging President Clinton not to exercise the waiver authority provided in the fiscal year 2000 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill that enables the United States to give Pakistan military assistance. The Department of Defense bill approved this week allows the President to waive those sanctions which were automatically imposed on Pakistan and India after they detonated nuclear weapons in 1998.

"The Pakistani military has trampled over their own constitution by forcibly removing a democratically elected government. The illegal removal of the Sharif government threatens the stability of the entire South Asia region. I strongly urge the military government in Pakistan to restore the democratically elected government to power."

"Although I support economic sanctions reforms for India and Pakistan, America has no business providing military assistance to an unstable dictatorship in Pakistan. I am confident that President Clinton will evaluate the current situation in Pakistan and decide not to exercise his waiver authority. We must send a strong and clear message to the military government in Pakistan that the United States does not condone their unlawful and unconscionable actions."

Congressman Wexler serves on the House International Relations Committee. His subcommittee assignments include Asia and the Pacific and Western Hemisphere Committee.