Bill in Congress prohibits Pakistan from supporting terror!
Indo-American community welcomed a bill now making its way in Congress that is led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard L. Berman (D-CA), which seeks to condition aid to Pakistan on that country's cooperation in combating terrorism. On April 2, 2009, H.R.1886 was introduced in Congress, which if passed into legislation, will:
Prohibit Pakistan from supporting organizations or individuals involved in "violence, sabotage, or other activities meant to instill fear or terror in India." Ensure that U.S. investigators have access to people "suspected of engaging in worldwide proliferation of nuclear materials" and restrict those individuals "from travel or any other activity that could result in further proliferation." Ensure that American financial assistance to Pakistan does not fall into terrorist hands and that terrorists do not acquire nuclear weapons. Since November 26, 2008, USINPAC's Washington DC office has been deluged with calls and e-mail inquiries from Indian Americans nationwide expressing outrage and grief. In the immediate aftermath of the November 26, 2008 terrorist massacre in Mumbai India, Indo-Americans successfully mobilized one of the largest grassroots campaigns in the United States Congress to have more oversight and transparency for US Aid being provided to Pakistan.
The US-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) Chairman Sanjay Puri has urged Indian Americans to call and e-mail their Member of Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) to support H.R. 1886 to enable greater oversight and accountability of American aid to Pakistan. Puri expressed the deepest appreciation for Indian American activism on this issue and remarked, "Keep the calls and e-mails coming."
