Congressional Statements

Wexler concerned about Pakistan's links to terrorism

Letter to President Clinton
March 12, 2000

The Honorable William J. Clinton
President, The United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20502

Dear President Clinton:

I understand that you recently accepted an invitation from the government of Pakistan to visit Islamabad on your way back from India. It is my understanding that your decision to visit Pakistan, despite vocal opposition, was based on a number of considerations including your belief that engaging Pakistan is essential to easing tensions in one of the world's most dangerous regions.

Although I fully understand that it is in the best interest of the United States to engage in bilateral talks with Pakistan, I am extremely concerned about the government of Pakistan's links to terrorist organizations and their failure to set a strict timetable for the return of democracy to Pakistan. Your visit to Islamabad is a perfect opportunity to raise these important issues with General Musharraf and to encourage Pakistan to change its destructive behavior that negatively affects stability and security in South Asia.

As you know, 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 also been linked to the Indian airline hijacking.

I know that you have serious concerns with respect to the government of Pakistan's links to terrorist organizations. I urge you to press Pakistani General Musharraf to end all support for terrorist organizations when you visit Islamabad. Furthermore, the government of Pakistan must make every effort to apprehend and bring to justice the hijackers of Indian Airlines Flight 814. Pakistan must also show that they are committed to an agenda of eradicating terrorism and those who sponsor or finance it.

Over the past several months your Administration has encouraged General Musharraf to return the civilian, democratically-elected government to power in Pakistan. I believe, as you do, that the United States has a vital interest in the promotion of democracy abroad and is strongly opposed to military takeovers of democratically-elected governments. If the government of Pakistan truly wants to regain the trust and confidence of the international community, they must be committed to establishing a clear timetable for a return to constitutional, civilian and democratic governance.

Finally, I know that you along with Secretary of State Albright, have advocated an "expeditious resumption and intensification of efforts by India and Pakistan to resolve their outstanding differences, including Kashmir." In the past, you have stated that the United States would not intervene or play the role of mediator in Kashmir. It is important that the United States maintain its long-standing position with respect to Kashmir and urge a peaceful resolution of the conflict through direct negotiations. I believe that face to face negotiations between the parties will allow both Pakistan and India to regain trust and lost diplomatic momentum that they had started to build last year. Unfortunately, that good will was squandered when Pakistani-backed insurgents crossed the Line of Control into Kashmir last May.

Mr. President, your historic trip to South Asia comes at critical point as tensions in that region are at their highest point in almost thirty years. I know that you will be advocating our economic, strategic, and human rights interests in South Asia. However, I believe that it is essential that you also receive concrete commitments from the Pakistan government with respect to the steps they are taking toward restoring democracy, ending support for terrorism, and signing agreements on nonproliferation.

I wish you a safe and successful trip.

With warm regards,
Robert Wexler