A team of Indian Americans led by USINPAC (US-India Political Action Committeee) working tirelessly at the Hill during the past few days have helped win a momentous victory for America and India against terrorism. At their urging, the International Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives *unanimously* passed an amendment on May 7, 2003 requiring the Administration to disclose to Congress and to the American people the extent to which Pakistan is fulfilling its promise to clamp down on cross-border terrorism, shutting down terrorist camps in Pakistan-held Kashmir, and halting the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology to rogue states and terrorists.

This landmark vote marks the first time that Congress has acknowledged the role of Pakistan in abetting terrorism and in the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology. By focusing entirely on the behavior of Pakistan in promoting terrorism as an instrument of state policy, and in the proliferation of nuclear technology, the US Congress has taken the first tangible step in decoupling the US relationship with Pakistan with that from India. The unanimous, bipartisan vote reflects the broad support that this issue garners across party lines.

In his remarks before introducing the amendment to H.R. 1950, Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, stated, "Although we are appreciative of Pakistan's post September 11 assistance in the war against terrorism, I cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that Pakistan has not closed all known terrorist training camps operating in Pakistan. I cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that Pakistan has not prohibited the infiltration of Islamic extremists across the Line of Control into Indian Kashmir. I cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that General Musharraf promised Deputy Secretary Armitage that infiltration would cease and it has not."

The Indian American team reached out to members on both sides of the aisle to build support for the vote. The support of the Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, Rep. Henry Hyde, was instrumental in ensuring the passage of the amendment. His leadership and concern for an issue of national importance ensured the smooth passage of this landmark amendment.

Manish Thakur, Co-Chair of the Strategic and Defense Affairs Committee of USINPAC, said, "In passing this amendment, the House is sending a clear message that all terrorism is wrong, wherever it occurs in the world. And harboring terrorists or proliferating technology associated with weapons of mass destruction can no longer be tolerated. On behalf of the 2 million strong Indian American community, we applaud the House in taking this principled stand."

The amendment titled, 'Section 708. Report On Actions Taken By Pakistan', states:

For each of fiscal years 2004 and 2005, the President shall prepare and transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains a description of the extent to which the Government of Pakistan:

(1) has closed all known terrorist training camps operating in Pakistan and Pakistani-held Kashmir;

(2) has established serious and identifiable measures to prohibit the infiltration of Islamic extremists across the ''Line of Control'' (LoC) into India; and

(3) has ceased the transfer of weapons of mass destruction, including any associated technologies, to any third country or terrorist organization.

After the vote, Rep. Faleomavaega stated that he harbored no ill-will against the people of Pakistan. 'It would be hypocritical for the United States to support a dictatorship despite a firm, long-standing policy against coup instigators. Today, Pakistan remains a dictatorship, while only a few years ago it was a democracy. By contrast, India has demonstrated that democracy can take root and prosper in non-Western cultures as well, even under the most difficult circumstances.'

Speaking to the Indian American team after the vote, Co-Chair of the India Caucus, Rep. Crowley stated, 'I am happy that this amendment has passed. It will make a tangible difference by putting the issue of cross-border terrorism and nuclear proliferation firmly on the record'.

The Indian American community rallied strongly behind the team work to petition lawmakers to bring peace to the Subcontinent. Friends of India from all over the nation called their representatives in Congress, urging them to support passage of this amendment.

Supporters of the successful amendment believe that all efforts should be made to assist Pakistan make the transition to a stable, peaceful democratic state. Preventing cross-border terrorism and preventing proliferation of nuclear weapon technologies are important milestones in this regard. The Indian American community is determined to remain active on this issue until cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction technologies that jeopardize US interests are completely and verifiably halted.

Now that the HIRC (House International Relations Committee) has unanimously passed the bill, it will go to the full house. The Senate passes its own bills, and in case of differences between the two versions, the differences are resolved in conference committees between the Senate and the House

What does this success of the Indian American community show? It shows that the community has come of age. If we unite on vital issues, success is assured.

God bless America and India !

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