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Author: Pranab Dhal Samanta
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: January 24, 2007
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/story/21595.html
Introduction: 9/11 Act: The White House will need to certify Pak's efforts
The newly elected US Congress has moved on tightening the screws on Pakistan through the very first legislation it has taken up this month. It calls for the US President to certify that Islamabad is making all efforts to "prevent Taliban from operating in areas under its sovereign control including in the cities of Quetta and Chaman" before releasing any funds or approving licenses for enhancing its military capability.
The new provisions form part of the Implementation of 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act 2007 aimed at revamping the US national security and foreign policy apparatus to address challenges post-9/11. Three countries have been singled out in the proposed legislation: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.
The section on Pakistan lays down a set of policy objectives that range from ensuring free and fair Parliamentary elections this year to securing borders to "prevent movement of militants and terrorists into other countries."
The Act, cleared by the House of Representatives, is now being discussed in the Senate. While recognising the importance of Pakistan in the war against terror and granting US President powers to forge a "strategic partnership", the Congress has placed a limitation on the US President's authority to provide credit on favourable terms for purchase of military equipment and spares.
The Congress has made it clear that for fiscal years 2008 and 2009, any assistance under sections pertaining to credit for military sales and purchases in Foreign Assistance Act and Section 23 of Arms Export Control Act along with licenses for any item controlled under this Act "may not be provided" unless the US President "determines and certifies" that the Pakistan government is taking all action against Taliban.
This includes action in Quetta, Chaman, the North West Frontier Province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
Once this Act is passed, the Congress wants the US President to submit within 90 days to the relevant Congressional committees a report on US strategy towards Pakistan that should spell out the "long-term" plan which the US has in mind to "accomplish the goal of building a moderate Pakistan".
Studying the 9/11 Commission, the Congress has made its own list of findings in the Act currently under discussion. These are described as "critical issues" that threaten to "undermine international security and destabilise Pakistan":
o Curbing the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology.
o Combating poverty and corruption.
o Building effective government institutions.
o Promoting democracy and the rule of law, particularly at the national level.
o Addressing continued presence of Taliban and other violent extremists throughout the country.
o Maintaining the authority of the Government of Pakistan in all parts of its national territory.
o Securing borders of Pakistan to prevent movement of militants and terrorists into other countries and territories.
o Effectively dealing with Islamic terrorism.
The Act also goes on to lay out a policy prescription for the US government, which is not binding on the administration of the day but does give a sense of Congress.
Some important features of this include:
o To combat international terrorism, especially in the "frontier provinces of Pakistan and to end the use of Pakistan as a safe haven for forces associated with Taliban".
o To "dramatically increase funding" for USAID and Department of State programmes if Pakistan government "demonstrates a commitment to building a moderate, democratic state, including significant steps towards free and fair Parliamentary elections in 2007".
o To help resolve the dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
With the US Congress now controlled by Democrats, the assessment is that US President George W Bush will have to treat these observations and recommendations far more seriously than in the past two years.
Given that newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi placed maximum priority in introducing this Act as the first piece of legislation, the message from the Congress is clear that it wants to keep a close watch on US policy moves towards Pakistan.
pranab.samanta@expressindia.com
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