March 13, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 581 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN rules in Punjab with a ruthlessness and brutal- troubling that a leader of Mr. Mann’s stature INDIA; THE CASE OF S.S. MANN ity that we in this country have a hard time un- can be arrested for exercising his freedom of derstanding. However, every murder, act of speech.’’ torture, or rape committed by India's Army or The legislators said that they had been in- HON. DAN BURTON formed by Dr. Aulakh, that Mr. Mann, a OF INDIANA paralegal forces will only increase the animos- former Member of Parliament and senior IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ity between these two peoples. leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal party, was Monday, March 13, 1995 Mr. Mann is the most visible spokesman for arrested on January 5 for ‘‘having advocated the freedom of Khalistan in Punjab. The Gov- independence for Khalistan by peaceful Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise ernment's intimidation of Mr. Mann and other means.’’ today to discuss the serious human rights peaceful advocates must not be met with si- They noted that Mr. Mann had urged a problems in IndiaÐespecially in Punjab and lence by the world's leaders. As long as India rally of 50,000 people to show their support Kashmir. I would like to focus today on the continues to practice this kind of repression, for ‘‘a peaceful movement toward an inde- case of Sikh leader Simranjit Singh MannÐa the other governments of the world must pendent state by raising their hands, and that the entire crowd did so.’’ former Member of Parliament. He has been speak out and protest. A country which prac- held in an Indian prison for over 2 months now The legislators wrote that they were con- tices systematic repression should not receive cerned that this was not the first time Mr. for the simple act of making a speech. aid from free countries like ours. The United Mann had been arrested under TADA, and Mr. Mann was arrested after making a States must not support tyranny. noted that he spent five years in prison dur- speech December 26 in Punjab, Khalistan, in The release of S.S. Mann would be a good ing the 1980s ‘‘without trial and without for- front of a crowd of 50,000 Sikhs. At that time, first step by the Indian Government to dem- mal charges being filed against him in a he called for a peaceful, democratic, non- onstrate its commitment to democratic prin- court of law.’’ violent movement to liberate Khalistan. Major ciples. I call for Mr. Mann's immediate release, The lawmakers noted that according to Sikh political groups called for an independent and I call upon the First Lady, who will be press reports, ‘‘he was subject to physical and psychological torture during that pe- Khalistan in October 1987. In his speech, Mr. traveling to India at the end of the month, to Mann asked those attending to raise their riod—including electric shock and having his raise the issue of human rights with the Prime beard pulled out in tufts.’’ hands if they agreed with him that a peaceful Minister. Misuse of TADA: In January 1994, Mr. movement for a free and independent Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to in- Mann was again arrested under TADA, and Khalistan is necessary. Every hand was sert in the RECORD at this point an article from over 50 charges filed against him ‘‘were later raised. the January 19 issue of the Indian Express of dropped and he was released,’’ they said. The Mr. Mann is being held without trial or for- Chandigarh about our letter to the Prime Min- legislators wrote to Mr. Rao that ‘‘it appears mal charges under India's brutal Terrorist and ister calling for Mr. Mann's release. that the Indian government is using [the] Disruptive Activities Act. This oppressive law TADA to harass and intimidate Mr. Mann.’’ [From the Indian Express Chandigarh, Jan. The legislators also called on the Prime has been universally condemned by human 19, 1995] rights groups around the world. It allows the Minister ‘‘to recommend to your Parliament TWENTY-SIX CONGRESSMEN PROTEST TO RAO that (the) TADA be reformed to bring it into Government to detain virtually anyone in pris- OVER MANN’S ARREST compliance with generally accepted human on for nearly 2 years without filing charges or WASHINGTON.—Influential members of the rights. going to court. Sikhs and Moslems detained new Republican-controlled Congress have under this law are routinely tortured and often fired their first anti-India salvo on urgings f murdered. How can a country which proclaims from the pro-Khalistan lobby. itself the world's largest democracy behave in Hardly two weeks in the session, the Con- POLICE TRAINING FOR GEORGIA such a manner? gress has seen a bipartisan group of 6 law- On January 12, I, along with 25 of my col- makers write to the Prime Minister, Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao, protesting the deten- HON. LEE H. HAMILTON leagues wrote to the Prime Minister of India, tion of Sikh leader Simranjit Singh Mann. OF INDIANA P.V. Narasimha Rao, to demand Mr. Mann's The group has also called for the repeal of release. The letter was signed by prominent the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (pre- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES members of both parties, Republicans and vention) Act (TADA). The letter was written Democrats. While we disagree on many on the urging of the Council of Khalistan, Monday, March 13, 1995 things, we all agree that everyone around the the leading pro-Khalistani lobby in the US Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come world is entitled to certain basic human headed by Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh. to my attention that the United States is con- Influence: Although it was initiated by the rightsÐfreedom from torture and other violent sidering providing police training to Georgia. abuses, dignity, and self-determination. usual coterie of India-bashers led by New Delhi’s most acerbic critic on Capitol Hill, While we would all like to help Chairman India's response to our letter was extremely the Republican, Mr. Dan Burton, the dif- Shevardnadze in his fight to stabilize his torn disappointing. Instead of doing the right thing ference this time around is that many of country, I have fundamental reservations and releasing Mr. Mann, the Government of them now hold leadership positions and about the wisdom of providing police training India dug up old charges against him from wield considerable influence. to Georgia at this time. 1985Ðcharges long ago discreditedÐand Mr. Burton himself is now a senior member Those reservations are spelled out in a let- added them to the charges against Mr. Mann. of the House International Relations Com- ter I sent recently to the Department of State. mittee. Other Republicans who had signed India's harassment of Sikh leaders, and its I ask that my letter, and the Department's re- revival of old trumped-up charges against Mr. the letter are Mr. Gerald Solomon, the chair- man of the Rules Committee, Mr. Phil Crane, sponse, be included in the CONGRESSIONAL Mann demonstrate India's fear of the potency the head of the Trade Sub-committee of the RECORD. of the movement for an independent powerful Ways and Means Committee and COMMITTEE ON Khaslistan. The fact that only 4 percent of Mr. Tom Bliley, chairman of the Commerce INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, Sikhs in Punjab participated in State elections Committee. Washington, DC, February 28, 1995. organized by the Government in New Delhi in Thus, while Mr. Solomon could allow anti- Hon. WARREN CHRISTOPHER, 1992 is a further indication of the Indian Gov- India legislation and resolutions to the floor Secretary of State, Department of State, Wash- ernment's weakness in that region. What India of the House for debate, Mr. Bliley and Mr. ington, DC. must understand is that, if a people are deter- Crane could put a damper on the burgeoning DEAR MR. SECRETARY. I write to oppose Indo-US commerce and trade relations by U.S. assistance or training at this time for mined to be free, it cannot hold them at the calling for punitive action against India on police forces in the Government of Georgia. point of a gun forever. India has over a half- trade matters and keep pushing for laws I support carefully crafted police training a-million armed forces in Punjab to force its such as Super 301 and Special 301. programs overseas. In particular, I support will on the Sikh people. It cannot sustain this Mann’s Arrest: In their letter to Mr. Rao, the Administration’s efforts to fight orga- heavy military presence forever. The army the legislators said that ‘‘we find it very nized crime in Eastern Europe and the N.I.S.

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. E 582 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 13, 1995 through targeted assistance to police forces Chairman Shevardnadze, senior officials of operation was voted the best in the New Jer- in those regions. These efforts, however, his government and Ambassador Brown in sey congressional delegation. carry a degree of risk. In the case of Georgia, Tbilisi repeatedly have identified crime as that risk is too high to merit the use of the most important impediment to economic f scarce U.S. Government resources. and political reform in Georgia. TRIBUTE TO THE MIAMI TIMES We all want to be supportive of Chairman The danger that NIS crime poses for the Shevardnadze in his efforts to bring peace nascent democracies as well as the broader NEWSPAPER and prosperity to his troubled country. The international community requires a thor- United States has provided more the $250 ough consideration of the most appropriate HON. CARRIE P. MEEK million in food aid to Georgia since Fiscal U.S. assistance. The Georgians have asked OF FLORIDA Year 1992, which I believe demonstrates U.S. for our help. That interagency assessment support. But the risks of establishing a po- team visiting Tbilisi this month constitutes IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lice training program in Georgia outweigh a modest response, consistent with our lim- Monday, March 13, 1995 any possible benefits. ited resources. We would be happy to brief Providing police training to foreign coun- you on our findings when our team returns Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the tries requires us to ask tough questions from Tbilisi. week of March 12 is Black Newspaper Week. about who will benefit. Do we have reason- I hope we have been responsive to your In recognition of the important role that black able assurances that those being trained are concerns. Please feel free to call me on this newspapers have played in bringing about a not corrupt, are committed to the rule of or any other issue. fair and just society, I rise to pay special trib- law, and will not engage in abusive prac- Sincerely, ute to the Miami Times newspaper, one of the tices? WENDY R. SHERMAN, largest, most innovative, and important weekly In the case of Georgia, I do not believe we Assistant Secretary, can answer ‘‘yes’’ to those questions. Wide- Legislative Affairs. newspapers in America. After very careful and deliberative consider- spread media reports, and the State Depart- f ment’s own reporting, indicate massive and ation Henry E. Sigismund Reeves decided that pervasive corruption in the Government of REMEMBERING TIM SULLIVAN the black community could not depend on ei- Georgia, especially in the police forces. ther their friends or enemies to express their Much of the substantial U.S. aid already sent HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. ideas and aspirations. So on September 1, is reported to have been diverted—by some 1923, Henry E.S. Reeves founded the Miami estimates, as much as half. Organized crime OF NEW JERSEY reportedly controls important sectors of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Times as a voice for Miami's black community. In its 73 years of existence the Miami Times government. Monday, March 13, 1995 Under these circumstances, it seems to me has taken strong stances on issues such as that the possibilities for abuse in a police Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, thousands of segregation, economic opportunity, equal jus- training program are unacceptably high. The people in Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex tice, and the positive promotion of black life. United States could too easily become asso- Counties, NJ, were helped over the years by Through its efforts, the paper helped to inte- ciated with unlawful elements of the Geor- a dedicated public servant whose name most grate Miami's public beaches, golf courses, gian Government, and support for police never knew. This public servant worked tire- and played a critical role in winning conces- training generally could be weakened as a re- sult. I believe that Chairman Shevardnaze lessly and without personal gain or recognition sions for Miami blacks in the successful black must take more forceful steps to attack assisting veterans, Social Security bene- tourism boycott of Miami. criminal elements within his government be- ficiaries, students, and others on critical per- The Miami Times has played an important fore the United States put its credibility, sonal problems. He helped mayors and coun- role not only as a protest journal but also as and scarce resources, on the line with a po- cilmen fix bridges, dredge waterways, and re- an instrument for revealing the human dimen- lice training program of Georgia. store downtown areas so that men and sion of the black personality. White men of the I understand that an interagency team will women could work and the Jersey shore could day scoffed at the idea of love and family ties visit Georgia in the near future to assess the prosper. among blacks. By featuring blacks as parents, need for a police training program. I believe that when you assess the risks as opposed to Timothy F. Sullivan, this public servant in brides, mothers, and fathers, the paper ex- any possible benefits, you will agree with me the truest sense, died Saturday of a heart at- posed the one-dimensional treatment of blacks that such a program at this time simply can- tack. For 17 years, from 1965 to 1982, he was in the mainstream press. not be supported. administrative assistant to Representative Long before Ebony and Jet magazines Thank you for your attention to this mat- James J. Howard, former chairman of the came on the scene, the Miami Times stressed ter. House Public Works and Transportation Com- facets of black life which were ignored in white With best regards, mittee. media. Black achievement, as expressed in Sincerely, When Jim Howard, my distinguished and the careers of Phyllis Wheatley, Toussaint LEE H. HAMILTON, Ranking Democratic Member. accomplished predecessor, won an uphill bat- L'Ouverture, Richard Allen, and our own tle for Congress in 1964, he had the good Athalie ``Mama'' Range, Hon. Joe Lang U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, judgment to ask Tim, his good friend, fellow Kershaw, and Gwen Sawyer Cherry. Washington, DC, March 7, 1995. teacher, and campaign adviser, to come to The Miami Times also emphasized racial Hon. LEE H. HAMILTON, Washington as his chief aide. pride and other values of the black commu- House of Representatives. Because Democrats were rarely elected in nity. It chronicled the dreams, aspirations, and DEAR MR. HAMILTON: Thank you for your that old Third Congressional District on any achievements of our community. letter of February 28 to Secretary Chris- topher regarding possible U.S. criminal jus- level, Jim Howard's prospects for reelection The Miami Times has also served as a cat- tice assistance for the Republic of Georgia. were less than bright. But Jim and Marlene alyst for change between people outside of The Administration shares your concern Howard had been eager to take the risk and the black community. In 1987, the Miami that U.S. assistance and training for law en- their enthusiasm was catching. Times became one of the first black news- forcement personnel in the NIS not be Tim and his wife, Marilyn, pulled up stakes papers in America to exchange editorials, let- abused by criminal or repressive elements. with six young children. Tim quit his job and ters, and articles with a Jewish newspaper, Recognizing the potential for misuse, our came to Washington to begin his long career the Miami Jewish Tribune, in an effort to foster practice has been to ground our NIS pro- as a trusted adviser and manager, taking the better understanding and cooperation between grams firmly in the rule of law and respect for human rights. heat over the years when necessary but not the two communities. At that time then, Miami Our interagency assessment team sched- claiming the credit when it was his due. He Times publisher Garth Reeves believed that uled to visit Tbilisi later this month will ex- kept Jim Howard's office on an even keel such a partnership between a black and a amine precisely the issues raised in your let- through tough elections and crises in the dis- Jewish newspaper would help to close what ter. They will gather information regarding trict like life-threatening coastal hurricanes and was seen as a growing chasm between the (a) Georgia’s capacity to employ properly proposals to shut down Fort Monmouth and two communities. U.S. criminal justice assistance and (b) put thousands out of work. A few years later, the Miami Times began which programs might best promote democ- Through it all, he helped Jim Howard de- exchanging opinion pieces with one of Ameri- ratization, human rights and the rule of law in Georgia. velop a reputation for excellent constituent ca's great Spanish-language weeklies Diario In the vacuum created by the collapse of service. Tim had a right to be proud in the Las Americas, in an effort to forge better links the Soviet Union, crime and corruption have early eighties when the New York Times cited between blacks and Latinos. gained a worrisome beachhead in the NIS. It a poll taken of New Jersey staffers and Mem- Since 1923, four generations of Reeves is a problem by no means limited to Russia. bers of Congress in which Jim Howard's office have managed the Miami Times. Founder