Step One: Click on www.Congress.org Fill your zip code.

Step Two: Choose the appropriate Congressperson or Senator and click to get their e-mail.

Step Three: You can copy and paste the letter below in the text window.

(If the letter doesn't wrap correctly, adjust your font size and left and right margins. Times New Roman, 11 pt. with left and right margins of 0.75 inch should work well.)

If you choose to, you can modify and change this letter.

Ask for a response from your member of Congress. Keep track of those who do write back and those who do not. As a constituent, you are entitled to know your legislator's position on key issues that are important to you.

Please BCC, Copies of your letter to info@pakpac.net

OPPOSE H. RES. 108 IH, A BILL INTRODUCED BY REP. FRANK PALLONE (DEMOCRAT –NJ) ON FEB 26TH, 2003
Cosponsors: 16, Latest Major Action: 2/26/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations

I am writing this letter after learning that Rep Frank Pallone (Democrat NJ) on February 26, 2003, introduced in Washington a legislation supporting permanent UN Security Council membership for India. (H. RES. 108 IH)

This letter is to stress that this proposal from Rep Frank Pallone should be opposed. Presenting this to the congress was not an appropriate decision. There are multiple reasons why India should not be a part of UN Security Council. A brief list of the reasons is below.

1) Practice of Defiance of UN Resolutions and efforts to undermine UN:

It is hard to believe that a single country (India) which since its existence has been acting to defy United Nation Resolutions now after 54 years of non-cooperation is lobbying and pursuing a permanent seat for the United Nation. Some of the resolutions include: (Partial List)

a) RESOLUTION 38 (1948) SUBMITTED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF BELGIUM AND ADOPTED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL AT ITS 229TH MEETING HELD ON 17 JANUARY, 1948. (DOCUMENT NO. S/651 DATED THE 17TH JANUARY 1948).

b) RESOLUTION 39 (1948) SUBMITTED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF BELGIUM AND ADOPTED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL AT ITS 230TH MEETING HELD ON 20 JANUARY 1948. (DOCUMENT NO. S 654 DATED THE 20TH JANUARY 1948).

c) RESOLUTION 47 (1948) ON THE INDIA-PAKISTAN QUESTION SUBMITTED JOINTLY BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF BELGIUM, CANADA, CHINA, COLUMBIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ADOPTED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL AT ITS 286TH MEETING HELD ON 21 APRIL 1948. (DOCUMENT NO. S/726 DATED 21 APRIL 1948).

There are multiple other resolutions which can be provided if necessary.

Up to mid 80’s India was the front runner of NAM (Non-aligned movement) which was another body trying to over-ride the United Nation.

2) India poor relations with all Countries in neighborhood:

India has fought war or being involved in a power tussle with every neighbor having common border with India. These include China, Pakistan, Bangladesh; even small countries like Bhutan, Sri Lanka & Nepal are weary of Indian govt.’s involvement in their domestic politics. Unfortunately, India is probably the only Country in the world who has an extremely long history of poor relationship with ALL its neighbors.

3) Lack of OR very poor diplomacy practices:

United Nation is an institute which provides avenues to avert wars and use of diplomatic means to achieve objectives. India in the recent times and especially with the Pakistan, India and Kashmir conflict has shown very serious and concerning weaknesses in Indian diplomacy. This again suggests that such weak diplomacy will lead to weakening of United Nations.

4) The world’s biggest suicide terrorist group LTTE was formed by India govt. This terrorist group has brought havocs to the simple & beautiful life of Sri Lanka. Since this tiny island does not have strength to face India, they avoid accusing India of arming & forming LTTE. However, international it is common knowledge that without India, LTTE could never have survived.

5) Irresponsible Weapons Trade:

India has a well known track record of selling strategic weapons to Countries which may work against the United States interests. India has an improving industry and does have a need for inexpensive oil and gas. India has been proven to have sold arms as well as some strategic weapons to rogue Iraq, Iran, Libya and other Countries.

6) Internal Instability:

India’s internal stability remains a big question at this time. Over 1/3rd of India (350,000) still lives in poverty. Basic health education and public health infrastructure remains amongst the poorest of the nations. There has been some improvement in economy from the information technology boom, but it is not in sync with the increasing population, poverty and hunger.

7) Human Rights Violations:

India’s human rights records are also well publicized and known to all. The United Nations human right commission itself has written reports about the level of abuses. Moreover the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom too has well documented human rights abuse report on India. It is believed that the Indian governments organized atrocities and human rights abuses would put any ancient civilization to shame. The recent massacre and live burning of children, women, and elderly of minorities in Gujarat has been documented and shown on PBS. Similarly the killings, rapes, and brutality on the people of Kashmir have been renowned. The Sikhs and the massacre at the Golden temple of thousands of Sikhs is still fresh in the eyes and minds of people of the India and the world.

8) Organized Extremism (Taliban Parallel)

India has many secular thinkers, but in the recent times, we have observed the Hindu extremists have got hold of power. India’s ruling BJP party is actually the political wing of the (VHP) or Vishwa Hindu Prashad. The VHP and organizations like RSS are allowed to flourish in India and supported by the Indian government. Both VHP and RSS believe that the minorities in India have no rights to live there. Organized murders and burning of missionaries and raping of nuns have been shown all across Europe and other Countries. Crimes occur all over the world. When it is organized and occurs under and protected and watchful of the government and is based on peoples religions and ethnic backgrounds this becomes a cause of extreme concern to all people of conscience.

9) Lack of Democracy in Essence:

Indian Democracy: India even though claims to be a democracy. The following points need to be looked at to evaluate whether there is true democracy OR not.

a) In Gujarat, the police officials used the voter registration lists to kill the minority communities who voted against the BJP government (for obvious lack of representing the interests of minorities). The minorities are living in refugee camps and after these episodes people refuse to register to vote or vote.

b) In Assam and other parts of India neighboring Bangladesh, the minorities have been driven out of their homes and over a million people of minority religions are living in refugee camps. Their homes have been burnt as well. The above two areas were the areas where the BJP government had lower strength because of large minority communities.

c) Another example is that of a Mr. Lalu Prashad Yadav who is currently acting and working like the chief minister. He makes official pronouncements and the officials also take directions from him. The only thing is that he is not a chief minister or elected official. He actually is husband of the chief minister. By polls in many states he was voted one of the most corrupt people in India. He however remains in power and makes the decisions despite having a government there.

d) A BJP MP from Madhya Pradesh Prahlad Singh Patel was made a Minister in cabinet Mr. Vajpayee, who has 23 cases (Criminal and Civil) registered against him by the MP Police, that include riots, armed possession and attacks, attempt to murder, attacking Police personnel on duty, causing harm to civilians etc.

e) Of 424 Members of Legislative Assembly in the UP, 132 have been involved either of murder, kidnap or dacoit cases. All 16 ministers of Kalyan Singh Ministry in the state reportedly have criminal background. The Bihar Legislative Assembly also is said to have similar records. At least 100 MLAs reportedly have criminal background. Some of them are those who have been elected from the bordering districts to Nepal. These names are also frequently connected to an illegal trade of vehicles, timber and electric equipment in Indo-Nepal borders.

d) Peace and justice are a basic fiber of democracy. People in India, especially the minorities are farther away from peace or justice than any other minorities any where in the world.

10) An Irresponsible State:

India has been the main country who despite all international pressures initiated the nuclear arms race in South Asia. It was because of Indian nuclear tests that Pakistan had to follow suit. This was irresponsible of India. Immediately after the nuclear tests Indian government officials had given open irresponsible threat of nuclear attack on neighboring Countries.

Without any proof or credible reason, India recently placed 600,000 troops at the border with Pakistan for many months in its aggressive and irresponsible posturing. Moreover, India’s role within the United Nation and role in peace keeping and peace building across the different part so the world has been non existent at best.

The above mention list along with some brief explanations are just a few problems with are proof enough that if UN members allows India to be a permanent member than the authority of UN will be undermined. I am hopeful that you like many other people will be convinced that supporting India’s bid for permanent seat in the security council (through Congressman Pallone) would not only be a crime against America, but again United Nations and all peace loving people in the world.

Sincerely,