SPEAKERS CONTENTS INSERTS
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44–151 CC
1997
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING THE MARCH 30, 1997, TERRORIST GRENADE ATTACK IN CAMBODIA
MARKUP
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED FIFTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
ON
H. RES. 121
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APRIL 23, 1997
Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York, Chairman
WILLIAM GOODLING, Pennsylvania
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa
HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska
CHRISTOPHER SMITH, New Jersey
DAN BURTON, Indiana
ELTON GALLEGLY, California
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida
CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina
DANA ROHRABACHER, California
DONALD A. MANZULLO, Illinois
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California
PETER T. KING, New York
JAY KIM, California
STEVEN J. CHABOT, Ohio
MARSHALL ''MARK'' SANFORD, South Carolina
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MATT SALMON, Arizona
AMO HOUGHTON, New York
TOM CAMPBELL, California
JON FOX, Pennsylvania
LINDSEY O. GRAHAM, South Carolina
JOHN McHUGH, New York
ROY BLUNT, Missouri
JERRY MORAN, Kansas
KEVIN BRADY, Texas
LEE HAMILTON, Indiana
SAM GEJDENSON, Connecticut
TOM LANTOS, California
HOWARD BERMAN, California
GARY ACKERMAN, New York
ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American Samoa
MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ, California
DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey
ROBERT ANDREWS, New Jersey
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
CYNTHIA A. McKINNEY, Georgia
ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida
PAT DANNER, Missouri
EARL HILLIARD, Alabama
WALTER CAPPS, California
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BRAD SHERMAN, California
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
STEVE ROTHMAN, New Jersey
BOB CLEMENT, Tennessee
BILL LUTHER, Minnesota
JIM DAVIS, Florida
RICHARD J. GARON, Chief of Staff
MICHAEL H. VAN DUSEN, Democratic Chief of Staff
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska, Chairman
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa
DANA ROHRABACHER, California
PETER T. KING, New York
JAY KIM, California
MATT SALMON, Arizona
JON FOX, Pennsylvania
JOHN M. McHUGH, New York
DONALD A. MANZULLO, Illinois
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California
HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American Samoa
ROBERT E. ANDREWS, New Jersey
SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ, California
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ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida
WALTER H. CAPPS, California
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
MIKE ENNIS, Subcommittee Staff Director
RICHARD KESSLER, Democratic Professional Staff Member
DAN MARTZ, Counsel
HEIDI L. HENNIG, Staff Associate
C O N T E N T S
APPENDIX
H. Res. 121
MARKUP OF H. RES. 121
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1997
House of Representatives,
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific,
Committee on International Relations,
Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:04 p.m. in room 2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC, Hon. Doug Bereuter (chairman of the Subcommittee) presiding.
Mr. BEREUTER. The Asia Pacific Subcommittee meets today in open session to consider H. Res. 121, a resolution expressing concern about the deterioration of human rights in Cambodia and the recent grenade attack upon a political rally. The clerk will report the resolution.
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The CLERK. H. Res. 121, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the March 30th, 1997, terrorist grenade attack in Cambodia. Whereas Cambodia continues to recover from more than three decades——
Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection, further reading of the resolution will be dispensed with, printed in the record and open for amendment. I will not proceed beyond my opening statement until we have a Member of the Minority here. But I think in order to expedite the markup and then to move to the hearing that follows, I will, at least at this point, give my opening statement regarding H. Res. 121.
This resolution was introduced by Representative Steve Horn of California, the chairman of the Committee, Mr. Gilman, and this Member, on April 17th, and was referred to the Subcommittee.
I would tell my colleagues that the Senate last week completed action on a very similar resolution that was introduced by Senator McCain and cosponsored by Senators Kerry of Massachusetts, Helms, Kerrey of Nebraska, Robb, Roth, Thomas, Leahy, Jeffords, Kennedy, and Feinstein.
Before we begin the formal process of considering the resolution, I would like to make a few comments. Then I will recognize the Ranking Member or his designee, Mr. Capps, and other Members of the Subcommittee for any comments that they might wish to make.
Cambodia has been making some progress, actually tremendous strides, toward democracy since the ''killing fields'' of Pol Pot and the Vietnamese occupation; but serious problems remain. We can, and should, praise the Cambodian people for the commitment to democracy and stability that they have demonstrated in the elections of 1993. However, one successful election does not a peaceful democracy make.
There are real concerns about the deterioration of human rights problems in that country. The most troubling in a recent string of violent incidents occurred on Easter morning, March 30th. At a morning rally before the National Assembly building in Phnom Penh, unknown assailants threw hand grenades into a peaceful rally being held by several opposition parties. Almost certainly, the target of this highly coordinated attack was, or was among others, Sam Rainsy, the former Finance Minister and leader of the opposition Khmer National Party. Mr. Rainsy escaped serious injury only because his bodyguard sacrificed his life when shielding him from the blast. Although it is difficult to get firm numbers since bodies and wounded persons were dragged away quickly, at least 16 individuals were killed, and over 100 were wounded.
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One of those who was seriously wounded was an American, Ron Abney, an employee of the National Endowment for Democracy's International Republican Institute. IRI has a long history of working in Cambodia, of helping to build political institutions, and has the respect and support of all parties. Mr. Abney was present at this rally in his capacity as an employee of the National Endowment for Democracy, and it almost cost him his life.
The United States and the international community have a tremendous amount invested in the peace process in Cambodia. Following the 1991 Paris Peace Accord, international donors have plunged more than $1 billion into ensuring that peace and normality return to Cambodia. H. Res. 121 sends the strong message that political violence should not be allowed to return to Cambodia. Assassinations, bombings, and grenade attacks are not acceptable forms of political expression. The political parties in Cambodia must be made to understand that they cannot go down the path of political violence. They must know that the international community will not tolerate or support parties that condone political intimidation or violence.
H. Res. 121, I believe, represents a balanced and constructive effort to advance democracy and human rights in Cambodia. So I would commend my colleague, Congressman Stephen Horn of California, for joining with Chairman Gilman and this Member and advancing this issue before the Subcommittee and to the House of Representatives. I would now yield to the designee for the Ranking Member, Mr. Berman, to Mr. Capps, also of California, and congratulate him on his rapid advancement on the Subcommittee. I would yield to him for such time as he might wish.
Mr. CAPPS. Ok. Well, I think it has been an amazing ascendancy here. I have only been here 3 months and I am sitting in this position. But I want to join with the Chair in condemning the attack on democracy. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Capps. Are there other Members who wish to comment? My Vice Chairman is here. I appreciate his attendance today because both he and I are involved in a banking markup at this moment, and we may have to leave from time to time. You may find yourself chairing this before we finish the day.
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I have a letter before me addressed to Congressman Horn from Don Manzullo asking that he be made a cosponsor of the legislation as well. Hearing no objection, that will be the order.
Are there any amendments or discussion related to the resolution itself? Seeing no Members indicating they are asking for time, the Chair will entertain a motion to report the resolution to the full Committee on International Relations.
Mr. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, I move that——
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Capps.
Mr. CAPPS. Thank you. I move that House Resolution 121 expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the March 30th, 1997, terrorist grenade attack in Cambodia be reported to the full Committee on International Relations with a favorable recommendation and that the resolution be considered by the International Relations Committee in as expeditious a manner as possible.
Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Capps. You have heard the motion. Is there any discussion? The question that is on the motion, as many as are in favor will say ''aye''. As many as are opposed will say ''no''. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and the resolution is agreed to. Without objection, the staff director will be authorized to make technical, grammatical and confirming changes to the text just agreed to, and I thank my colleagues for their cooperation moving H. Res. 121 to the Full Committee. That will complete the markup.
[Whereupon, at 2:10 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
Insert "The Official Committee record contains additional material here."
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