M A I N   N E W S

USA lifts more sanctions on Pak

Washington, October 5
In a move that further fortifies US-Pakistan relationship in the wake of the September 11 attacks, the US Senate late last night unanimously passed a legislation that lifts additional sanctions against that country.

The legislation was approved hours after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee gave its nod to waiving most of the remaining sanctions against Pakistan which were imposed on it after the military coup in 1999.

The legislation would also provide the government additional flexibility in offering military assistance to any country assisting the USA in its campaign against terrorism. It also permits expeditious waiver of sanctions imposed last year against Pakistani Ministry of Defence for violations of the missile technology control regime.

The Senate leaders, however, warned that the lifting of sanctions would be temporary and could be re-imposed in 2004 if Pakistan backtracked on its cooperation with the USA and fails to move toward democracy.

At present, President George W. Bush has the authority to waive these sanctions but has to notify Congress 45 days in advance. Under the new legislation, the President is not restricted by the 45-day period.

In addition, the legislation removes restrictions that prevent assistance to nations in arrears on their payments of official debt to USA. The USA recently rescheduled some of Pakistan’s debt.

The legislation allows immediate flow of assistance to Pakistan and not wait until the rescheduling takes effect after 30 days.

Specific provisions in the legislation was crafted along with top State Department officials. In fact, key Senators met Secretary of State Colin Powell before drafting changes to the legislation introduced on September 25 by Sam Brownback.

The legislation, introduced by Mr Brownback, would have authorised President Bush to lift the remaining sanctions against Pakistan and India, which would allow export of dual-use items, defence articles or defence services to the two countries.

Brownback’s proposed legislation was modified to waive only those sanctions that prevent easy flow of assistance to Pakistan.

“Today the Senate took one step closer to helping solidify our international coalition against terrorism,” Mr Brownback said. “This represents significant progress on an issue that is so important to freeing the administration’s hand in working with Pakistan — a nation that is pivotal in the coming war.”

Senate aides said because of the urgency, the proposal is to dual-track the legislation. In addition to passing the legislation last night as a free standing measure, Senate leaders also plan to attach it to foreign operations funding legislation expected to be taken up next week. UNI