U.S. Senate vote to waive all sanctions against Pak.

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, OCT. 5. Keeping in line with the existing political realities and in the context of America's war against terrorism, the U.S. Senate has voted to waive temporarily all the remaining sanctions against Pakistan for two years. The lawmakers have said that the Foreign Relations Committee has to be notified each time waivers are being exercised. The Bill now goes to the House of Representatives.

The Senate's action means that the pro-democracy sanctions imposed in the aftermath of the 1999 military coup are being waived for fiscal 2001 as also for the next fiscal year. The Senators have said that the President, Mr. George W. Bush, must make the determination that his waiver will not only facilitate the transition to democratic rule but also be considered important in the fight against terrorism.

Sanctions imposed on Pakistan for violations of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) have also been lifted. ``Pakistan has chosen to stand with the U.S. We need to assist this important frontline state,'' the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr. Joseph Biden, said.

The Senate's action on sanctions with respect to Pakistan was made in close consultation with the State Department. And the Senators have made it known that instead of broad and sweeping waivers, legislation ought to be in the context of the current developments and compulsions.

In the present context, the Senate's action is significant even if the lawmakers are insisting that this is a ``temporary'' measure and that the chamber will always be concerned about progress on the democracy front. More than the military significance of the Bill, the White House has been given wide latitude on the economic and financial fronts as well.

Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives three lawmakers have introduced the ``U.S.-India Security Cooperation Act of 2001'' seeking to do away with all the remaining sanctions against New Delhi. The Bill has been referred to the House International Relations Committee.

Arguing that India could be a vital strategic partner of the U.S. on a range of political and security issues, the lawmakers urged the Bush administration to ``immediately expand cooperation at all lev els'' including non-proliferation and counter-terrorism.

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