Author:
Publication: United Press International
Date: April 1, 2004
URL: http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040401-035844-4733r
Legislation has been introduced
in the U.S. Congress that would make it difficult for President Bush to
formally designate Pakistan a major non-NATO ally.
Backed by Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y.,
the legislation already enjoys the support of the powerful Indian lobby
on the Hill. India, Pakistan's neighbor and chief rival, has objected to
the U.S. offer, saying it would hurt recent moves to improve relations
between New Dehli and Islamabad, which have fought three wars in the last
56 years.
"And I would urge our colleagues
to take a look and see if they'd be willing to co-sponsor that bill," said
Ackerman in a recent appeal to other lawmakers.
Secretary of State Colin Powell
announced the U.S. intention to include Pakistan in this elite club when
he visited the country two weeks ago during an extended tour of the South
Asian and Middle Eastern regions.
Ackerman said he understood the
U.S. need for Pakistan's assistance in the war against terror but Washington
should not ignore that Pakistani scientists had recently confessed selling
nuclear secrets and materials to Iran, Libya and North Korea.
