I received the following from USINPAC (it's the Political Action Committee that was set up in the past year to influence US foreign policy vis-a-vis the subcontinent). You may obtain further details about their various endeavors from their website at www.usinpac.com. I believe the Goan diaspora (at least in the US) would benefit from building bridges with the other Indian American groups.
At the minimum, participating in such efforts would provide some insight into how policies/legislations are formulated in this country. As most of you are aware, participating iin the civic affairs of the land which you inhabit represents a natural progression for most immigrant communities (after they satisfy the more basic needs)! And if I may add, politicians in this country, in contrast to their counterparts in India, are quite sensitive to the sentiments of their constituents.
Best, James
Action Alert!
USINPAC urges you to appeal to your elected representative in Washington to support the amendment (www.usinpac.com/70503_nr.asp) calling for an end to terrorism supported and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by Pakistan. Follow the instructions below to appeal to your Representative and two Senators:
a) Find out the full name and mailing address of your Representative and two Senators by going to www.congress.org and filling in your zip code
b) Copy and paste the following text in a letter to your Representative and two Senators:
The Honorable <full name of representative/senator>
Complete mailing address
Date
Dear title and name:
As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to support cessation of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction that put at risk the lives of nearly 100,000 US servicemen and women in East Asia. I am greatly concerned about the continuation of terrorism by Pakistan towards India, and disturbing media reports that indicate that Pakistan proliferated nuclear weapons technology to the communist dictatorship of N. Korea. This is not just a political issue, but also a moral and human issue. In particular, I am requesting you to support an amendment to H.R. 1950 (Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005) that was unanimously passed by the House International Relations Committee on May 7, 2003. The amendment titled, 'Section 708. Report On Actions Taken By Pakistan', states:
For each of fiscal years 2004 and 2005, the President shall prepare and transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains a description of the extent to which the Government of Pakistan:
1. has closed all known terrorist training camps operating in Pakistan and Pakistani-held Kashmir;
2. has established serious and identifiable measures to prohibit the infiltration of Islamic extremists across the ''Line of Control'' (LoC) into India; and
3. has ceased the transfer of weapons of mass destruction, including any associated technologies, to any third country or terrorist organization.
I urge you to support this amendment and look forward to hearing from you on your position on this issue that is of tremendous importance to the 2 million-strong Indian American community.
Sincerely,
Signed
Your full name and mailing address
_________________________________________________________________
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