bq. The U.S. House of Representatives? Committee on Government Reform and Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness was to hold Congressional hearings on March 3, 2003, entitled, ?Decades of Terror: Exploring Human rights Abuses in Kashmir and the Disputed Territories?. Goaded by Robert Giuda, a lawmaker in the New Hampshire State Assembly who has formed a pro-Pakistani organization called ?Americans For Resolution of Kashmir. This was a deliberate move by an anti-India leader, Congressman Dan Burton to slander the image of India before the US Congress by focusing on ?atrocities being perpetrated by India against the people of Kashmir?.
bq. These hearings could have led to critical and unfavorable US policies causing serious damage to United States? relationship to India. Reacting to the seriousness of the issue, USINPAC jumped into the fray. From the moment it came to know about the hearings, USINPAC questioned its timing (when peace talks are going on) and also expressed serious reservations about the quality and fairness (and the questionable character) of some of the witnesses. The message was consistently conveyed to key Members of Congress. It gives us pleasure to inform you that finally, USINPAC?s vigorous efforts on the Hill, backed by your support have resulted in an indefinite postponement of these hearings. While this development is undoubtedly a severe setback for the anti-India lobbyists, we should continue to prepare well to effectively counteract these lobbyists should Representative Dan Burton convene a future hearing.
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