Senator wants Clinton to visit Pak.

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, FEB. 22. Close on the heels of a letter from six Members of Congress urging the U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton, to include Pakistan in his South Asia tour, an effort is now underway in the Senate for the same, according to The Washington Times. A letter is being circulated by the first-term Democratic Senator from South Dakota, Mr. Tim Johnson, in the Senate on the issue.

According to Mr. Johnson, leaving Pakistan off the itinerary of the President would be a ``snub'' to a ``traditional ally''. The Senator wanted to convey that he understood as to why the administration was reluctant to meet Gen. Pervez Musharraf. But according to the report, the Senator was making the point that he had had a candid and positive meeting with Gen. Musharraf, during which the Pakistani Chief Executive had assured that he would act positively on U.S. concerns on terrorism, proliferation and return to democracy.

``Staying engaged with Pakistan through its interim government is the best way to encourage renewal of democracy and pro-Western attitudes and policies. It is essential for America's leadership for peace, security and democracy in South Asia that you visit Pakistan and engage in a direct dialogue with its current government,'' Mr. Johnson said in his letter.

The circulation of the letter in the Senate comes at a time when the White House is said to be close to deciding whether or not to include Pakistan in the President's itinerary. Pro- India members on Capitol Hill have been arguing against a Pakistan visit on the grounds that this would send wrong signals to Islamabad - legitimising the military government and appearing to be condoning terrorism.

Visiting Pakistani Ministers or its diplomats here have been making the point that if the President skipped Pakistan, it would only add to its existing tensions with India. Pro-Pakistan supporters on Capitol Hill have been saying this; and the Pakistani American community has been using its resources to drum up support for Mr. Clinton to include Pakistan in his programme.

Mr. Clinton has said that a decision would be made based on America's long-term interests. At various times, the President has referred to the issues of peace and stability in South Asia, nuclear non-proliferation and the settlement of outstanding issues such as Kashmir.

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Section  : International
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