SPEAKERS CONTENTS INSERTS
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48–956 CC
1998
H. RES. 373, COMMENDING DEMOCRACY IN BOTSWANA; AND H. RES. 374, EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING THE ONGOING VIOLENCE IN ALGERIA
MARKUP
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICA
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED FIFTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
MARCH 4, 1998
Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations
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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
MATT SALMON, Arizona
AMO HOUGHTON, New York
TOM CAMPBELL, California
JON FOX, Pennsylvania
JOHN McHUGH, New York
LINDSEY GRAHAM, South Carolina
ROY BLUNT, Missouri
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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
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
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Subcommittee on Africa
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California, Chairman
AMO HOUGHTON, New York
STEVEN J. CHABOT, Ohio
MARSHALL ''MARK'' SANFORD, South Carolina
TOM CAMPBELL, California
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey
ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida
JIM DAVIS, Florida
TOM SHEEHY, Staff Director
GREG SIMPKINS, Professional Staff Member
JODI CHRISTIANSEN, Democratic Professional Staff Member
SHANNON GAWRONSKI, Staff Associate
C O N T E N T S
Text of H. Res. 373
Text of H. Res. 374
Statement in support of H. Res. 374 of Hon. Alcee L. Hastings, a Representative in Congress from Florida
Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Res. 374 offered by Mr. Donald Payne, a Representative in Congress from New Jersey
MARKUP OF H. RES. 373, COMMENDING DEMOCRACY IN BOTSWANA; AND H. RES. 374, EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING THE ONGOING VIOLENCE IN ALGERIA
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1998
House of Representatives,
Subcommittee on Africa,
Committee on International Relations,
Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 3:08 p.m. in room 2255, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Ed Royce (chairman of the Subcommittee) presiding.
Mr. ROYCE. The Subcommittee on Africa will come to order for our markup on House Resolutions 373 and 374.
The Subcommittee on Africa meets today in open session pursuant to notice to mark up House Resolutions 373 and 374, the first commending the Government of Botswana, and the second taking note of the ongoing violence in Algeria.
House Resolution 373 was introduced by myself and was referred by Chairman Gilman to this subcommittee. This resolution recognizes the Government of Botswana and the people of Botswana for their long-standing commitment to democracy.
[H. Res. 373 appears in the appendix.]
Mr. ROYCE. Since he took office in 1980, President Ketumile Masire has presided over a government that has honored the democratic process. His government has been a model of democratically rooted stability and development in Africa and for the world.
Botswana also is a long-standing friend of the United States and has played a constructive diplomatic role in Africa and the world. Yet, Botswana is a bit of a forgotten African country. This resolution seeks to bring attention to Botswana by commending its people for their democratic commitment.
This resolution is time-sensitive. After nearly 18 years in office, President Masire is stepping down at the end of this month. The resolution commends him for his service to his country. Also, President Clinton is scheduled to visit Botswana as part of his historic five-nation African trip later this month.
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We have spoken with the Administration about the resolution, and they strongly support this measure as a positive sign to our friends in Botswana. It is my hope that it can be approved by the House in time for President Clinton's visit.
So the Chair lays the resolution before the Subcommittee. The clerk will report the title of the resolution.
The CLERK. H. Res. 373, commending democracy in Botswana.
Mr. ROYCE. Without objection, the clerk will read both the preamble and the operative language of the resolution for amendment.
The CLERK. Whereas, Sir Ketumile Masire has been involved in politics in his country——
Mr. ROYCE. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as having been read and as being open to amendment at any point. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Are there any amendments to this resolution or Members seeking recognition on this resolution?
All right, if there are no amendments to the resolution, the question is on the resolution. As many as are in favor of the amendment, say aye.
As many as are opposed, say no.
The ayes have it.
The Chair will now recognize Mr. Hastings for a motion.
Mr. HASTINGS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I move that the Subcommittee report the pending resolution to the Full Committee and recommend that the resolution be favorably considered in the Full Committee, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. ROYCE. The question is on the motion of the gentleman from Florida. As many as are in favor of the motion, say aye.
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As many as are opposed, say no.
The ayes have it, and the motion is agreed to.
Mr. ROYCE. The Subcommittee on Africa will now consider House Resolution 374.
[H. Res. 374 appears in the appendix.]
Mr. ROYCE. Following a Subcommittee hearing on the horrendous violence in Algeria last month, Mr. Hastings and Mr. Chabot put together this resolution which outlines the causes of the violence in Algeria and offers constructive policy options. The world community has been shocked by the barbaric massacres in Algeria and perplexed by the difficulties faced by those who want to resolve this crisis.
House Resolution 374 was introduced, as I have said, by Mr. Chabot and Mr. Hastings, and was referred by Chairman Gilman to this subcommittee. The Chair lays the resolution before the Subcommittee. The clerk will report the title of the resolution.
The CLERK. H. Res. 374, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the ongoing violence in Algeria.
Mr. ROYCE. Without objection, the clerk will read both the preamble and operative language of the resolution.
The CLERK. Whereas, in January 1992——
Mr. ROYCE. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as having been read and as being open to amendment at any point. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized to speak on his resolution for 5 minutes.
Mr. CHABOT. I thank the Chairman for bringing this legislation before the Subcommittee. You have been a leader on this issue, and we all appreciate your hard work very much.
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I want to particularly thank my friend from Florida, Mr. Hastings, who has joined me in introducing this resolution. There is no Member of this body more committed to the advancement of human rights around the world than Alcee Hastings, and I very much value his counsel and his assistance as we try to bring this measure before the full House in the very near future.
Mr. Chairman, tens of thousands of Algerians, many of them women and children, have lost their lives since violent terrorist attacks began in 1992. Hundreds more perished during the Holy Month of Ramadan which ended just a few weeks ago. This resolution strongly condemns the perpetrators, the Armed Islamic Group, or GIA, and any other terrorist groups responsible for the atrocities being committed in Algeria, and urges those who continue to engage in violence and fundamental abuse of human rights to discontinue such activity immediately.
The legislation, while acknowledging that the Government of Algeria has made progress toward democratization, calls on the government to take all necessary and legal steps to prevent violence and stop it once it occurs, and encourages the government to cooperate with the international community to ensure transparency in investigating and combating terrorist activity. Additionally, H. Res. 374 encourages the European Union and the Government of Algeria to further their mutual cooperation against terrorism.
Mr. Chairman, again I want to thank you and the Subcommittee staff. And I want to particularly thank Kevin Fitzpatrick of my staff, who has worked diligently and tirelessly on this matter, as well as Mr. Hastings' staff, who also has worked very, very hard, for the considerable effort expended in bringing this resolution before the Subcommittee.
I think it is a good resolution. It certainly is timely, and hopefully, it will be helpful.
I urge support of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. ROYCE. Thank you, Mr. Chabot.
Mr. Hastings.
Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Chairman, thank you for the time. I shall not take the full 5 minutes.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you for bringing this matter up so that we might have an early resolution. I am particularly grateful to my colleague from Cincinnati and good friend, Mr. Chabot, for assisting in expediting this matter. Like him, I thank his staff and Beverly Falby of my staff, as well as yours, Mr. Chairman, and Mr. Payne's staff for the extraordinary work and effort that they put forward in bringing this resolution to the body.
Mr. Chairman, pointedly, the legislation condemns people who continue to perpetrate acts of violence and other crimes against humanity and violations of fundamental human rights. As a peace-loving democratic nation, I am sure that all of us understand that dialog is an intricate component of democracy. Thus, I believe that this particular course of action that we embark on here today will assist in ending the ongoing conflicts in Algeria.
Mr. Chairman, I believe at some point amendment in the nature of a substitute. will be offered by Mr. Payne; and I wish to assure the Chair, without saying anything at that time, that I am fully supportive. I do feel that it will be helpful. I want to make clear to the Chair at this time, that once this resolution reaches the floor, certain new language will appear in the motion in the nature of a substitute. I will seek to amend, contemplating the fact that Iran and Sudan allow their territories to be used for perpetration of organizational terrorism and acts against the Algerian Government.
Please take that under advisement and I ask the Chair to do so in hopes that Mr. Chabot, Mr. Payne, myself, and you may be able to work this matter out.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I urge that our committee and Members of Congress visit Algeria. It is my experience, as I am sure it is the Chair's, that even in the most difficult of circumstances, once you meet firsthand with various parties—and we have been assured by the ambassadorial ranks of Algeria that we will have access to parties on all sides of the ongoing conflict—that it would be particularly helpful; and our presence alone would demonstrate continuing leadership of the United States in trying to allow the resolution of conflicts not only in Algeria but around the world.
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I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Hastings appears in the appendix.]
Mr. ROYCE. Thank you. I appreciate the observations of the gentleman from Florida, and I think his point is especially well-taken in terms of our need to be engaged in Africa and our need to have meetings with the Algerian Government in particular. I look forward to meeting with the government in Algeria in the future.
In the meantime, I will mention that last week we did have an opportunity to meet with parliamentarians from each of the different political parties in Algeria, and I thought that was a very productive dialog.
At this time, I should ask if there are amendments to this resolution? Mr. Payne.
Mr. PAYNE. Yes, I have an amendment at the desk.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Payne is recognized to speak on the amendment for 5 minutes.
The CLERK. Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Payne. Strike the preamble and the operative language in lieu of the following: ''Whereas in January 1992''——
[The amendment appears in the appendix.]
Mr. ROYCE. It will be considered as read.
Mr. Payne.
Mr. PAYNE. Thank you. Let me first of all also commend Mr. Chabot, my colleague, Mr. Hastings, and of course the cooperation of your position in moving forward this resolution.
I just want to offer this amendment. I was hoping that we would be able to do it less formally, perhaps just insert it in the resolution, but since it was actually already before us, I just want to change a few words in the first three paragraphs in the preamble.
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It does not change the body of the motion; it just moves toward—it could, in my opinion, be interpreted that there was a kind of a glorification of the FIS and the GIA. We know they are supported by Iran and the Sudan. So we ask that some of that language be struck. And I think, if cleaned up before markup, it can be worked out.
As you know, 1997 marked the first legislative election since 1992. It also turned into the bloodiest year in the long-standing political strife for power. As we look back, the canceling or the annulling of the election may not have seemed to be the right course of action. We certainly don't condone that. However, it should be noted that the desire to maintain Islamic dominance and to radically change the food and clothing habits of the people are supported by most Algerian citizens since 1992. This explanation can be summed up by saying that democracy did not benefit those that want to end it once they are in power. So we just appreciate cooperation from all of the persons involved.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Chairman.
Mr. ROYCE. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.
Mr. CHABOT. I move to strike the last word.
I very much welcome and support Mr. Payne's involvement. I welcome and support his amendment in the nature of a substitute, and I want to thank both him and his staff for the time that they have put in this effort. This is certainly the time, I think, for us to put any partisan difficulties aside and work together. And it is good to see a committee like this where we actually do work together and we put politics aside and it stays outside that door there.
So, I very much give support to this amendment in the nature of a substitute. Additionally, I welcome and look forward to working with Mr. Payne and others on the other side in the future.
Mr. ROYCE. Thank you. If there are no further comments, as many as are in favor of the amendment, say aye.
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As many as are opposed, say no.
The ayes have it.
If there are no further amendments to the resolution, the question is on the resolution. As many as are in favor of the resolution, say aye.
As many as are opposed, say no.
The ayes have it.
The Chair now recognizes Mr. Sanford to offer a motion.
Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Chairman, I move the Subcommittee report the pending resolution to the Full Committee and recommend that the resolution, as amended, be favorably considered in the Full Committee.
Mr. ROYCE. The question is on the motion of the gentleman from South Carolina. As many as are in favor of the motion, say aye.
As many as are opposed to the motion, say no. The ayes have it, and it is agreed to.
Thank you, Members of the Committee.
[Whereupon, at 3:24 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
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