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America

Congressman Suozzi issues statement admitting mistake, says he is sorry


New York:

Indian Americans welcomed a statement issued by Congressman Tom Suozzi (D - Long Island, Queens) for not consulting the community before writing a letter to Secretary of State Pompeo about the Kashmir developments. He said he is sorry for the mistake. ‘If I had met with them before sending the letter, I would have framed my concerns differently,’ he said.

‘The current situation in Kashmir presents some very serious challenges. The United States should seek to be helpful in securing safety and peaces for all people,’ the statement noted

‘Moving forward, I will make sure to solicit the input of all my constituents who have a vested interest in Kashmir and work towards a peaceful region that roots out terrorism and corruption as well as respects human rights. It is my hope, that recent developments in the region will eventually lead to this,’ it said.

The statement was issued after vehement protests by the community.

“I welcome Tom’s candid admission of error, and while it implicitly amends his lLetter to Sec. Pompeo, a follow up letter to the Secretary is in order to set the record right, and I urge him to do so forthwith,’ attorney and noted community leader Ravi Batra said.

‘That said, however, this is a teaching moment for all elected representatives to not pander to one slice or another of one’s constituents as local partisan politics is a far cry from serving the ‘best interests’ of the United States. And, here, as I told Tom - our national interest is to be a real friend of the Sub-Continent, all of it, and help make it terror-free, support actions that reduce or eliminate terror, so peace and security is enhanced for every law-abiding citizen on the Sub-Continent.

‘State-sponsored cross-border export of terror or fermentation of terror anywhere, as part of statecraft, is intolerable to America after 9/11. Our desire to stabilize this region, which includes Afghanistan, and bring it to greater prosperity for all is only achievable if human rights are respected as soon as law and order is established pursuant to international norms and relevant civil law of each nation. Let every American of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Afghani or Italian ancestry be proud, that as an American, our nation - the United States Of America - is a force and source of human rights, justice and stability in a Terror-Free world,’ Batra said

See the full statement of Congressman Suozzi
"On Sunday, I met with 100 of my Indian-American constituents regarding my recent letter to Secretary Pompeo expressing my concerns about recent developments in Kashmir. Based upon my meeting it is clear that it was a mistake to not consult with some of my Indian-American friends and supporters before I sent the letter. I should have. I am sorry. If I had met with them before sending the letter, I would have framed my concerns differently.

Throughout my career in public service, I have been an ardent supporter of India, their sovereignty, and have always stood with them in their fight against terrorism. The US-India relationship will be done of our most important over the next 50 years and beyond. I have spent my time in Congress promoting an elevating this relationship and will continue to do so.

India, the world's largest democracy, remains critical for regional security and peace. The current situation in Kashmir presents some very serious challenges. The United States should seek to be helpful in securing safety and peaces for all people.

Moving forward, I will make sure to solicit the input of all my constituents who have a vested interest in Kashmir and work towards a peaceful region that roots out terrorism and corruption as well as respects human rights. It is my hope, that recent developments in the region will eventually lead to this."