National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CICILLINE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of two amendments I am offering in this bloc, both of which seek to ensure Pakistan demonstrates its commitment to counterterrorism operations and the dismantling of improvised explosive device networks.

According to news reports, the majority of IEDs in Afghanistan share a common ingredient, calcium ammonium nitrate, which is illegal in Afghanistan but completely legal in Pakistan. When asked about what the Pentagon is doing to put pressure on Pakistan's distribution network of ammonium nitrate at his Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Secretary Panetta said:

We've urged them, the Pakistanis, to take steps. In some cases, they have. In some cases, they wind up there too late. But we're continuing to impress upon them that they have got to be part of the answer to dealing with this issue.

That's why I have offered amendment 121, which would tie the funding of the Pakistan counterinsurgency fund to a certification requirement by the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, that Pakistan is making significant effort in implementing a strategy to counter improvised explosive devices, IEDs. Too many American soldiers have been killed or wounded as a result of IEDs.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CICILLINE. I thank the gentleman.

We are also considering amendment 118 in this bloc. This amendment would require that, before providing reimbursement to Pakistan for its efforts in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the Secretary of Defense must certify Pakistan is taking ``demonstrable steps'' to support counterterrorism operations against terrorist organizations, dismantle IED networks, prevent the proliferation of nuclear-related material and expertise, and issue visas in a timely manner for United States Government personnel supporting counterterrorism efforts and assistance programs in Pakistan.

These are commonsense amendments.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source