Frank Pallone: “a few weeks ago, President Bush announced a $3 billion aid package to Pakistan. I do not support the provisions of…”

“a few weeks ago, President Bush announced a $3 billion aid package to Pakistan. I do not support the provisions of military aid in that package. However, President Bush was willing to put some conditions on the Pakistan aid package. Those conditions were, one, Pakistan must exemplify its effort to decrease crossborder terrorism in Kashmir; two, Pakistan must end support of nuclear nonproliferation in rogue nations; and, three, Pakistan must exemplify steps toward returning to a democracy. Madam Chairman, this bill today includes language included by the gentleman from American Samoa that is consistent with the first two conditions outlined by the President. It requires the State Department to prepare a report that contains a description of the extent to which Pakistan has closed all known terrorist training camps operating in Pakistan and Pakistani-held Kashmir, has established serious and identifiable measures to prohibit the infiltration of Islamic extremists across the Line of Control into India, and has ceased the transfer of weapons of mass destruction. Because this important language is included in the bill, I rise in support of this legislation and only wish to make the point that it is equally as important for Pakistan to return to democracy in order to ensure future peace and stability in South Asia.”