Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) submitted a strongly worded statement
to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who testified Wednesday, February
16th, before the House International Relations Committee. The statement
condemned Pakistan's support for and links to terrorist organizations.
Wexler's remarks came in the wake of evidence that links Pakistani terrorist
organizations to the recent hijacking of an Indian airliner and the recent
military coup in Pakistan which toppled the nation's democratically elected
government. Wexler points out that the stability of South Asia is seriously
threatened by terrorist organizations that are operating unhindered within
Pakistan.
Congressman Wexler also strongly urged Secretary Albright to take appropriate
steps to pressure Pakistani General Musharraf to immediately end all support
for terrorist organizations and to set a strict timetable for the return
of democracy in Pakistan. Wexler made it clear to Secretary of State Albright
that the United States policy of zero-tolerance for terrorism should be
applied to Pakistan.
Congressman Wexler serves on the House International Relations Committee.
His subcommittee assignments include Asia and the Pacific and Western
Hemisphere Committee.
Madam Secretary, recent events in South Asia, including a military
coup that toppled the democratically elected government of Pakistani
Prime Minister Sharif and the unconscionable hijacking of an Indian
Airliner that has been linked to the current government in Pakistan,
seriously threaten the stability of the entire South Asia region. These
lawless acts raise serious concerns about Pakistan's future policies
and security along the tense Indian/Pakistani border.
One of the most disturbing developments in South Asia is the proliferation
of terrorist organizations in Pakistan that threaten the United States,
India, and our allies in the region. It is deeply troubling that the
government of Pakistan allows terrorist organizations to operate training
camps and bases unhindered in its territory and provides political and
logistical support for several of these rogue groups. Irrefutable evidence
demonstrates a direct link between the government of Pakistan and several
terrorist organizations on Pakistani soil, including Harkat-ul-Ansar,
which the State Department declared a foreign terrorist organization
in 1997 and which has been linked to the Indian airline hijacking.
Over the past several years, terrorist forces based in Pakistan have
been growing stronger and bolder. In addition to the recent hijacking,
there have been many incursions by Pakistani- supported militants across
the Line of Control into India, that have claimed many innocent lives.
The perpetrators of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center
and the CIA headquarters were Pakistani nationals. In 1995, militants
associated with Harkat-ul-Ansar kidnaped and killed four western tourists,
including American Donald Hutchinson by militants. On November 12, 1997,
four American employees of Union Texas Petroleum were killed in a terrorist
attack in Karachi, Pakistan. In November, 1999, the United States Embassy
in Pakistan was the target of a rocket attack.
As the world leader in fighting international and domestic terrorism,
the United States must apply maximum pressure on Pakistan to end its
linkage to terrorist organizations. In the past, the United States has
sanctioned rogue nations that support state-sponsored terrorism and
has placed them on a terrorist list. I know you feel as I do that we
must maintain a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to terrorism.
Madame Secretary, US bilateral relations with Pakistan have spanned
more than fifty years, reaching a high point during the 1979-89 Soviet
occupation of Afghanistan. I still believe that it is in the best interest
of the United States and Pakistan to maintain diplomatic relations.
However, we can only achieve this goal if General Musharraf sets a time
table for the restoration of democracy and the government of Pakistan
ends all support for terrorist organizations.
Robert Wexler
Member of Congress
