WASHINGTON, Reuter: The Chairman of the U.S House of Representatives Asian Affairs Subcommittee said today the arrest of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto could

Damage U.S. Relations with Pakistan, The decision to engage in a massive crackdown on the

 Opposition will have grave consequences for Pakistani-US. Relations, New York Democrat Stephen Solarz told reporters.

Solarz sai dhe was concerned about the arrest of Bhutto. By Pakistani police, as well as the arrest of other opposition leaders.

He said the actions of the Pakistani government would make many members of Congress reluctant to vote for U.S. Aid even though the United States has very important strategic interests in Pakistan.

Solarz said he had received a letter from President Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq in May, in which Zia promised to protect Bhutto’s rights to speak out against the government,

That letter was in response to a letter from Solarz in March on Bhutto’s behalf.

Article extracted from this publication >> August 22, 1986