Concern About U.S. Arms Sale to Pakistan

CONCERN ABOUT U.S. ARMS SALE TO PAKISTAN

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to express concern about the Bush administration's $5 billion arms sale to Pakistan. Though little can be done to stop the deal, I believe the plan is misguided.

Considering the recent linkage of the Mumbai bombing to terrorist groups operating in Pakistan, this sale may further slow a 2-year peace process between India and Pakistan.

The government of India has made a strong commitment to fighting terrorism all over the world. Like the United States, nothing has deterred their firm policy to fight this regional and global menace. Unfortunately, Pakistan has not yet figured out a way to deter terrorist cells from growing within their borders.

We have to be careful where we are sending such highly sophisticated weaponry. While Pakistan has been an ally in the global war on terror, the government has simply watched while terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Tayyaba committed terrorist acts in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India. Its actions within its own country proved themselves not fit for receiving these arms.

Mr. Speaker, foreign military assistance to Pakistan has been used against India in the past. This new U.S. policy of military sales to Pakistan will contribute to increasing security concerns throughout South Asia, particularly in India. This material is not being used against al Qaeda, but there is a potential that it would be used in a war against India. We don't need to reward Pakistan for being our friend in the war on terrorism by giving them advanced weapons systems that are not likely to be used in that effort.

Pakistan has also faltered on proliferation in the past. In fact, just last week Pakistan announced that it is increasing its capacity to produce nuclear fuel, a move which signals a major expansion of the country's nuclear weapons capabilities. These reactors paired with some of our most highly technological jets and materials could be disastrous to the region.

Mr. Speaker, we may be supporting the Pakistani military, but we may also be increasing the rift in peace relations between India and Pakistan and in the South Asia region.

Mr. Speaker, economic assistance is certainly necessary to reform Pakistan's schools, provide health care programs and support economic restructuring that will stop Pakistan from being a breeding ground for terrorists. But military assistance is another matter. Allowing this sale sends the wrong message to the government and the people of India. I fear that it will mean a step backwards in U.S.-India relations and in South Asia's regional stability.

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