October 18, 2001	Thursday	Rajab 30, 1422

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WASHINGTON, Oct 17: The US House of Representatives on Tuesday evening passed by voice vote a bill that gives authority to the president to waive all sanctions against Pakistan, including democracy sanctions.

The way is now clear for the United States to resume all kinds of economic and military aid to Pakistan till 2003. Although, one-time waivers were earlier permitted with regard to some restrictions, this is the first time in a decade that Pakistan will be entirely free of American sanctions.

The US administration had even before the Sept 11 attacks decided to seek waivers for all anti-Pakistan sanctions, but democracy, or Section 508 sanctions, that under the US law come into effect immediately a civilian, elected government is deposed through a military coup, were proving an obstacle, with Congress reportedly baulking at lifting them. But Pakistan’s transformation as the key battle-line state for the US-led military operations in Afghanistan dramatically changed the mood in Congress.

The bill was first rushed through the Senate proposing waiver of all tiers of sanctions, which has now also been approved by the House.

With regard to Section 508 sanctions, while blanket waiver authority has been given to the president for the current fiscal year, for the year after, the president will have to certify that a waiver will facilitate the restoration of democratic governance in Pakistan and is important to the US efforts to respond to, deter or prevent acts of terrorism.

The legislation, which runs through till October 2003, includes waivers of sanctions under the Missile Technology Control Regime and the Arms Control Act, prohibitions relating to loan defaults and the ban on transfer of excess defence equipment.

Following approval of the legislation, the US will be able to release an economic aid package for Pakistan which is believed to be in the vicinity of $600 million, including $100 million announced by President Bush in September.

CHINA: The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the Bush administration was also considering a waiver of US sanctions that bar the sale of military-related equipment to Chinese security forces.

The move, which coincides with President Bush’s departure for a visit to Shanghai, is said to be part of the administration’s desire to promote exchanges of anti-terrorist intelligence with Beijing as part of the campaign against terrorism.

The US sanctions against China were imposed following the 1989 crackdown on Tiananmen Square demonstrators. Their waiver would signal a further thaw in US relations with China. Mr Bush is scheduled to meet Chinese President Jiang Zemin on Friday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group summit meeting.

Waiver of US sanctions will enable the sale of spare parts for Black Hawk helicopters the US sold to China during the 1980s.

AFP adds: Sponsored by Republican Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas, the bill also authorizes providing aid to Pakistan and India if the president determines that it is in the national interest of the United States and important to US efforts to “respond to, deter, or prevent acts of international terrorism.”