WASHINGTON, D.C.: In an unprecedented move, the Young Republican National Federation affirmed the Sikh fight for independence and adopted that position as part of their national platform at the Young Republicans (YR’s) national convention in Nashyille Tennessee this week.
The 1989 Young Republicans platform included! this passage: “The tradition of this nation, dating back to the Declaration of Independence and our revolution, is to support the right of people to revolt against tyranny. We call for enhanced aid to freedom fighters in Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Angola, Ethiopia, South Yemen and all other peoples fighting communist and totalitarian oppression. We reaffirm our support for Sikh self-determination in the Punjab. We condemn terrorism on both sides.”
Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, of the Council of Khalistan, applauded this move by the YR’s. “This is a great day and a tremendous breakthrough for the longsuffering Sikhs of the Punjab, fighting for their freedom, for their faith and their very survival,” said Aulakh. “It is wonderful to find friends of freedom among these young Americans, who are on fire for liberty and who have not grown complacent though they were born free in a free land.”
This support for Sikh self-determination in the Punjab by the YR organization follows on the heels of a very close vote on the Herger Amendment to the U.S. foreign aid bill in the House of Representatives. Introduced by Congressman Wally Herger (RCAL.) the measure would have revoked all $25 million in U.S. development aid to India for the next two years unless India agreed to improve its human rights record in the Punjab and lift its trade blockade of Nepal (WSN July 7).
It was narrowly defeated by a 204212 tally after some panic stricken, eleventh hour lobbying by Congressman Stephen Solarz (DNY).
Article extracted from this publication >> July 28, 1989
