Kashmiris congratulate Gore
“Raise your voice for Kashmiris
Dear Vice President-elect Gore:
On behalf of the Kashmiri American community I write to extend our warm congratulations to you on your victory in the November election. As you assume the responsibilities of Vice President of the United States we want you to know that our prayers and best wishes are with you.
Kashmiri-Americans across the country know and respect you for your leadership in the United States Senate on the Kashmir issue You were one of the first Senators to speak out against Indias violations in Kashmir. When few others were willing to take a stand on the Kashmir issue you sponsored bold legislation S.Res. 91 which called on India to cease its atrocities against the Kashmiri people and for all parties to the conflict (India Pakistan and the people of Kashmir) to seek a peaceful settlement to the crisis.
Kashmiri-Americans are grateful for your friendship. We have a strong hope that you and President elect Clinton will be animated in your foreign policy by a desire to protect human rights around the world We will not soon forget your principled leadership as a Senator on behalf of human rights and human dignity in Kashmir And we look forward to your continued leadership on the Kashmir issue as Vice President.
When you and President-elect Clinton take office in January you will be faced with many critical foreign policy crises. For example the growing crisis in Yugoslavia will necessarily command your attention.
There are many parallels between the situation in Yugoslavia and that in Kashmir. In both Yugoslavia and Kashmir a powerful oppressor issuing brutal force against the people to deny them their rights to self-determination. In both Yugoslavia and Kashmir that oppressor is committing gross violations of human rights summary executions; rape of women and young girls; torture of political detainees And in both Yugoslavia and Kashmir the world community has ignored the crisis and allowed the conflict to become more and more entrenched.
One major difference however is that in Kashmir there is a real danger the conflict could erupt into a nuclear exchange Both India and Pakistan are widely believed to be nuclear powers and have already fought two wars over Kashmir in the past 40 years. As tensions over Kashmir rise again there is danger of a third war between them such a war could become the world’s first nuclear conflict.
We hope that your record of concern for Kashmiri human rights combined with a desire to bring lasting peace to South Asia will animate the Clinton/Gore Administrations policy on Kashmir. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you and President-elect Clinton during the coming year to protect the rights of all Kashmiris and to bring about a peaceful negotiated settlement of the crisis there.
Once again our congratulations and best wishes.
Dr.Ghulam Nabi Fai
Executive Director
Kashmiri-American Council
Article extracted from this publication >> December 11, 1992
