Title: "Solarz asks End of Aid to Pakistan over Nuclear Issue." Rep Stephen J Solarz, in a letter to President Bush, calls for an end to US aid to Pakistan because he believes
that Pakistan has ignored US pleas to halt nuclear weapons development.Article and text of Solarz' letter. (900927)
Date: 19900927
Text:
*NEA407
09/27/90 *
SOLARZ ASKS END OF AID TO PAKISTAN OVER NUCLEAR ISSUE (Congressman warns U.S. may have "no choice") (530)
Washington -- An influential member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is calling for an end to U.S. aid to Pakistan, asserting he believes that country has ignored U.S. pleas for it to halt its nuclear weapons development program.
In a letter to President George Bush dated September 19, Representative Stephen J. Solarz (Democrat of New York), who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, said that if Pakistan continues to pursue the development of nuclear devices, and U.S. aid continues, the credibility of U.S. global nonproliferation policy would be undermined.
Under U.S. law, U.S. aid to Pakistan may not be extended unless the president certifies annually that Pakistan is abiding by its pledge not to possess nuclear weaponry or nuclear explosive devices.
On September 26, White House Deputy Spokesman Roman Popadiuk confirmed that the president is discussing with Congress the question of recertifying Pakistan, but he stressed that this is "the president's decision to make."
Following is the text of Solarz' letter to President Bush:
(BEGIN TEXT)
Dear Mr. President:
Last year, at the time that you issued a Pressler amendment certification for Pakistan under the provisions of Sec. 620E(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act, the United States informed Pakistani officials of specific actions it would be observing, which would provide an indication of Pakistan's intentions with respect to its pledges not to possess nuclear weaponry or a nuclear explosive device.
As you know, Pakistan can qualify for another Pressler amendment certification this year only if you certify that U.S. assistance will significantly reduce the risk that Pakistan will possess a nuclear explosive device.
I have been attempting for some time now to arrange for the CIA to brief my Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee on this subject, but these briefings have been postponed on a number of occasions at the request of the Administration.
GE 2 NEA407 Since the date for decision on the Pressler amendment is quickly approaching, I thought I'd share my thoughts with you now rather than wait for the fait accompli of a decision.
On the basis of a number of reports I've received from unclassified sources, I have the impression that Pakistan's commitments to respect the various markers we set last year have not been met.
If this is in fact the case, I believe that we have no choice but to terminate all U.S. assistance to Pakistan, as required by law.
At stake here is not only the integrity of U.S. law, but the credibility of our global nonproliferation policy. Surely we cannot continue to warn Pakistan of adverse consequences if it takes certain actions and then fails to follow through on these warnings when Pakistan persists in taking these actions.
The serious consequences of Pakistan's obtaining nuclear weapons, given the tensions and instabilities on the Subcontinent, not to mention the fragility of democracy in Pakistan, suggest that we cannot afford to sweep under the table continuing and disturbing indications that Pakistan is proceeding with its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons.
(END TEXT) NNNN
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