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T V Parasuram in Washington
A bipartisan group of 24 US lawmakers has urged President George W Bush to lift sanctions imposed on Pakistan after the nuclear tests of May 1998 and called for a fair approach towards Islamabad and New Delhi.
In two separate but largely identical letters sent to Bush, senators and Congressmen from both Republican and Democratic parties have applauded the Bush administration's review of unilateral sanctions against India and Pakistan, and stressed the importance of treating both countries equally and fairly.
"We applaud your administration's review of United States policy towards Pakistan and India, and especially the attention being given to the removal of unilateral economic sanctions that were imposed on both nations following their respective nuclear tests in 1998."
Making their plea for equal treatment of India and Pakistan more explicit, the Congressional leaders said, "It is vitally important that both nuclear powers in South Asia be treated equally and fairly in order to further our country's non-proliferation objectives."
"We believe that the lifting of sanctions currently placed against these countries would greatly strengthen the relationship between US and South Asia," they added.
The co-signers of the two letters, mostly members of the Pakistan Caucus in Congress or its supporters, stressed the 'crucial importance' of Pakistan in US policy perspectives.
Despite Islamabad's sponsorship of the Taleban and cross-border terrorism against India, they argued, "Pakistan remains a critically important, moderate friend of the US in the Islamic world and South Asia."
"Continued positive US engagement with Pakistan will be to our mutual benefit and will further regional and global stability." they said.
They added, "We urge you to follow a fair and balanced approach on sanctions relief towards Pakistan."
One of the signatories is the pro-Pakistan Congressman David Bonior, who is the Democratic Party whip.
From the Republican side, the bipartisan letter has been initiated by Joseph Pitts, another pro-Pakistani Congressman.
Co-signers include Republicans Tom Davis and Dan Burton, and two members of the Congressional Black Caucus -- Cynthia Mc Kenny and Gregory Meeks.
On the Senate side, the signatories include Democratic Senators Tim Johnson of South Dakota, Robert Torricelli, Tom Harkin, Harry Reid and Republican Senators John Warner and Gordon Smith.
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