India Association of New Hampshire (IANH), with about 350 members spread over 25 towns across New Hampshire, strongly condemned the New Hampshire State House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 16) on the Indian state of Kashmir, saying the resolution was used by some state representatives to hijack and to misrepresent the intent of the New Hampshire legislature.

“We have been surprised and shocked by the fact that on Feb. 20, 2003, our New Hampshire Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 16 (HCR 16) regarding Kashmir. However, we understand that the Legislature had passed the HCR 16 with the noble intention to promote peace, to avoid nuclear war and to end atrocities in Kashmir region. We believe that every civilized person would endorse NH Legislatures noble intent,” said Tony Epaphras, a resident of Manchester in Hillsboro county in House district 50. “ However, we are here to express our community’s serious concern regarding the manner in which HCR 16 is being used by some of the legislators, primarily Representative Robert Giuda, to hijack and to misrepresent the intent of the NH legislature for pursuing their own personal agenda.”

Based on a brief trip to Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir, that was staged and hosted by the government of Pakistan, these legislators seemed to have manipulated NH legislature into passing HCR16. In doing so, they totally ignored all other relevant facts including numerous statements of our own national as well as international leaders. During their so called fact finding trip to Pakistan, chronicled in the WNDS-TV program, the legislators accepted the Pakistani view of fighting for right of self determination for people of Kashmir while overlooking the right of the people of Pakistan for democratic government. In doing so, it appears to us, our respected visiting representatives silently endorsed the present dictatorial form of government of Pakistan.

“We are aware of the important role our state plays in the ‘first in the nation primary’ and in creating novel ideas about citizens’ participation in good governance. It is our understanding that the matters of foreign policy are generally handled by the federal government and not by the state or local governments,” said Mr. Epaphras. “In that context, we are deeply bothered by the fact that a handful of NH legislators, took it upon themselves to delve into a complex 55 year old international issue. They did not have any mandate or sponsorship from either the NH legislature or from the U.S. State Department.”

|