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September 6, 2008 (Washington, D.C.) - Members of the Hindu American Foundation, a leading human rights group, welcomed Senator Barack Obama's comments on Fox News yesterday, that Pakistan is misusing U.S. aid in "preparing for a war against India." In the interview with Bill O'Reilly on the nationally viewed telecast, Sen. Obama went on to state that he would ensure that American aid was used against terrorists and not India.
"Pakistan for too long enjoyed a free pass as the Musharraf regime played a dirty double game of ignoring the resurgent Taliban while enjoying the Bush Administration's largesse as it carried out its proxy war against India," said Ishani Chowdhury, Director of Public Policy at the Foundation's D.C. area headquarters. "Sen. Obama should be lauded for his clear policy stand vis a vis the intransigence of Pakistan."
The HAF highlighted Pakistan's military and fiscal support of jihadi terrorists operating in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir over the last five years in its annual human rights reports. The Islamist fighters, many of whom are Pakistani nationals, drove nearly a half million Hindus from their homes in 1989 and have regularly attacked and killed Hindus still living in the Indian state.
"Senator Obama's stand on Pakistan is clear and supported by the reality on the ground," added Chowdhury. "We are hopeful that Sen. McCain, with his vast foreign policy experience, will take a similarly unequivocal policy stand at this critical juncture in South Asia's history."
The Hindu American Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, non-partisan organization promoting the Hindu and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism. Contact HAF at 1-301-770-7835 or on the web at www.HAFsite.org.
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