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EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR CYPRUS SETTLEMENT; EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE LONGSTANDING SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP OF THE PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM; COMMENDING THE PRIME MINISTER OF GREAT BRITAIN FOR HIS SUPPORT OF THE U.S. IN THE EFFORT TO DISARM SADDAM HUSSEIN OF WMD AND FREE THE IRAQI PEOPLE; AND PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND RULE OF LAW IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS
MARKUP
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
ON
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H. Res. 165, H. Con. Res. 129, H. Res. 154 and
H.R. 854
APRIL 3, 2003
Serial No. 108–9
Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international—relations
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois, Chairman
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey,
Vice Chairman
DAN BURTON, Indiana
ELTON GALLEGLY, California
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida
CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina
DANA ROHRABACHER, California
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EDWARD R. ROYCE, California
PETER T. KING, New York
STEVE CHABOT, Ohio
AMO HOUGHTON, New York
JOHN M. McHUGH, New York
THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado
RON PAUL, Texas
NICK SMITH, Michigan
JOSEPH R. PITTS, Pennsylvania
JEFF FLAKE, Arizona
JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia
MARK GREEN, Wisconsin
JERRY WELLER, Illinois
MIKE PENCE, Indiana
THADDEUS G. McCOTTER, Michigan
WILLIAM J. JANKLOW, South Dakota
KATHERINE HARRIS, Florida
TOM LANTOS, California
HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York
ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American Samoa
DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
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BRAD SHERMAN, California
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts
GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York
BARBARA LEE, California
JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York
JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania
EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon
SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada
GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California
ADAM B. SCHIFF, California
DIANE E. WATSON, California
ADAM SMITH, Washington
BETTY McCOLLUM, Minnesota
CHRIS BELL, Texas
THOMAS E. MOONEY, SR., Staff Director/General Counsel
ROBERT R. KING, Democratic Staff Director
Subcommittee on Europe
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska, Chairman
DAN BURTON, Indiana
ELTON GALLEGLY, California
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PETER T. KING, New York
JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia
THADDEUS G. McCOTTER, Michigan
WILLIAM J. JANKLOW, South Dakota
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts
BARBARA LEE, California
JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania
EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon
VINCE MORELLI, Subcommittee Staff Director
PATRICK PRISCO, Professional Staff Member
JONATHAN KATZ, Democratic Professional Staff Member
BEVERLY HALLOCK, Staff Associate
C O N T E N T S
MARKUP OF:
H. Res. 165, Expressing support for a renewed effort to find a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem
En Bloc Amendment to H. Res. 165, Offered by Mr. Bereuter
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H. Con. Res. 129, Expressing appreciation for the longstanding support and friendship of the people and Government of the United Kingdom
H. Res. 154, Commending the Prime Minister of Great Britain for his stalwart leadership and unwavering support of the United States in the effort to disarm Saddam Hussein of weapons of mass destruction and free the Iraqi people of the scourge of brutal dictatorship
Substitute Amendment to H. Res. 154, Offered by Mr. Bereuter
H.R. 854, To provide for the promotion of democracy, human rights, and rule of law in the Republic of Belarus and for the consolidation and strengthening of Belarus sovereignty and independence
En Bloc Amendments to H.R. 854, Offered by Mr. Bereuter
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR CYPRUS SETTLEMENT; EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE LONGSTANDING SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP OF THE PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM; COMMENDING THE PRIME MINISTER OF GREAT BRITAIN FOR HIS SUPPORT OF THE U.S. IN THE EFFORT TO DISARM SADDAM HUSSEIN OF WMD AND FREE THE IRAQI PEOPLE; AND PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND RULE OF LAW IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2003
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House of Representatives,
Subcommittee on Europe,
Committee on International Relations,
Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 11 a.m. in Room 2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Doug Bereuter [Chairman of the Subcommittee] presiding.
Mr. BEREUTER. The Subcommittee will come to order.
Pursuant to notice I call up H. Res. 165 for the purpose of markup. The clerk will report.
Ms. RUSH. H. Res. 165 expressing support for a renewed effort to find a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem.
[The resolution, H. Res. 165, follows:]
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Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection the resolution will be considered as read and open for an amendment at any point.
I am the sponsor of this resolution. I happen to think it is one of the things we should be doing in this Congress as a responsible Subcommittee and Committee.
I thought we had a great opportunity with maximum leverage to finally heal the division of Cyprus, that ancient island civilization.
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I cannot help but recall walking the green line twice in Nicosia and seeing how things were frozen on the two sides. In some cases I saw Greek Cypriots with weapons and Turkish Cypriots with weapons, less than 15 or 20 feet apart.
We have, I think, four countries involved in peacekeeping activities there.
I remember on my first visit to the green line, I visited with the commander of the British troops which were, by the way, side by side with the Argentine troops not too long after the Falkland War.
That British commander said he had people in his unit whose fathers served there in that unit at that place. That is how long this conflict has been going on.
Last November U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan proposed a comprehensive framework for a just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem. He then asked the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot leaders to accept the plan by February 28th. When neither side could resolve their differences by the end of February the Secretary General asked the two leaders to meet in the Hague on March 10th to sign an agreement to put the framework to simultaneous referenda on the island.
Subsequently we learned with great disappointment that the Secretary General was told by the Turkish Cypriot leader that he could not accept the settlement plan and could not agree to a referenda despite the fact that the informal polling indicated that a majority of the Turkish Cypriots were prepared to support the plan.
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It was regrettable to this Member that the Secretary General's much appreciated work did not come to a successful conclusion. Nevertheless we must put our disappointments behind us and find a way to revise the negotiations and encourage both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to return to the negotiating table.
I must say I heard positive things coming out of Ankara just yesterday.
So the fact that we have some difficulties between Turkey and the United States may in fact work to the advantage of finding the pressure necessary on Mr. Denktash to move ahead.
H. Res. 165 commends the U.N. Secretary for his tireless efforts to seek a resolution of the Cyprus problem. It expresses the disappointment of the Congress of the United States that the U.N. plan for a settlement of the Cyprus problem could not be reached. It urges both the Greek and Turkish Cypriots to quickly resume negotiations to resolve this problem and urges the United Nations and the Bush Administration to redouble their efforts to get the talks going once again and to seek a solution that seems to be within our grasp.
Pursuant to our consideration of this resolution today, and one can hope for a positive reaction to it, I was encouraged to learn, as I mentioned, of two very positive initiatives involving Cyprus.
The first was an announcement by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan that he was sending Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to Cyprus today to speak with Turkish Cypriot leaders and then to Belgrade next week to speak with Greek leaders.
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I find this initiative to be very welcome and a hopeful sign that negotiations could resume soon. I commend the Prime Minister for this decision.
The second was a letter sent yesterday by Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Denktash to President Papadopoulos suggesting some ideas which could lead to a renewed dialogue with Greek Cypriots. It is a rehash in many ways of things he has said for a long time, but I do want to commend Mr. Denktash for his effort and hope that something positive may come out of what could be viewed as a confidence building measure.
I would suggest that in all probability this comes as a result of some pressure from Ankara.
It is clear to the Chair that the people of Cyprus have suffered too long under the current unacceptable conditions on the island. With membership in the European Union looming ahead, it is important that all Cypriots share in the benefits of that membership and that all Cypriots be welcomed into the European community.
I hope the year 2003 will be the final year of what we refer to as the Cyprus problem.
I refuse to give up on this. This is a time when we should have some action.
I commend all of the interests that have been very responsible in examining this legislation, trying to look past some great difficulties we have had in the past. I appreciate all the co-sponsors who have joined us in this legislation.
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Now I would like to turn to the distinguished Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Wexler, for any statement he might have.
Mr. WEXLER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I want to thank you for your very significant efforts to find a peaceful, just, and lasting resolution to the longstanding Cyprus issue. You have been a leader on this very difficult issue and a champion for a comprehensive settlement that benefits both Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Please know that I share your deep disappointment that a comprehensive agreement to support the United Nations proposal, the basis for an agreement on a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus conflict, was not reached at the Hague on March 10. I had hoped as you did that the U.N. plan would be accepted by both sides and voted on in a simultaneous referendum held by both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities on March 30.
Clearly a great deal of sweat and toil was put into this plan and a Herculean effort was made by Secretary General Kofi Annan, Bush Administration officials including Special Envoy to Cyprus Tom Weston, as well as from members of the international community to finally resolve this issue.
As you very well know, over 29 years of conflict have made this an extremely difficult issue to resolve for both the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot communities. However, the United States, Turkey, Greece and the international community have an obligation and a duty to bring both parties back to the negotiation table. It is important that we do not let past failures get in the way of future negotiations in a lasting settlement of this issue. I hope that both Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders will renew their commitment to bridging the divide that separates their people.
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Recent comments, as you have mentioned Mr. Chairman, by both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders have been positive and we must, as your resolution does in fact state, redouble our efforts in order to secure a lasting settlement.
Mr. Chairman, a lot of international attention and consternation, whether justified or not, has been focused on the Turkish Cypriot effort and that of the government of Turkey to do their part to bring about a fair resolution to this issue. In this vein, I was very pleased to see just yesterday in a press statement by Turkish leader Mr. Denktash, that he has taken positive steps to initiate a new process of dialogue and consultation that will hopefully lead to a comprehensive settlement.
Mr. Denktash in his press statement provides a detailed proposal which he has presented to Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos in a written letter.
In his letter to Mr. Papadopoulos, Mr. Denktash proposes lifting all overseas trade, transport, travel and cultural activities from or to both parts of Cyprus. He calls for freedom of movement to be facilitated between the two sides and restrictions on the movement of tourists to be lifted.
His measures also include allowing Greek Cypriot refugees to return to the Greek Cypriot sector of Famagusta.
Finally, Mr. Denktash has also expressed his willingness to meet with Mr. Papadopoulos to discuss the core issues of a comprehensive settlement with the objective of reaching an agreement between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
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These are a few examples of the positive measures Mr. Denktash has proposed in order to restart dialogue and to achieve a comprehensive settlement.
I hope this Committee and the Bush Administration will encourage Mr. Denktash to continue his efforts and be willing to expend a great deal of effort and political capital to move this process forward and to assist Mr. Denktash as he makes difficult decisions.
As for Turkey's role which I know has been criticized by some in Washington and in Europe, I believe that the new government in Ankara which is dealing with several major crises at the same time including military action in Iraq, efforts to achieve EU accession, a weak economy, and a just resolution to Cyprus, is making every legitimate effort to resolve this very difficult issue.
I am optimistic that Prime Minister Erdogan and his government are truly committed to a fair settlement of this issue.
Last Friday Prime Minister Erdogan offered to bring Turkish and Greek Cypriots together with the three guarantor countries—Turkey, Greece and Britain.
Furthermore, as you mentioned, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will be in Northern Cyprus on Thursday, today, to meet with Turkish Cypriot leaders to discuss efforts to restart talks with the Greek leaders.
Mr. Gul also will be traveling to a Balkan Summit in Belgrade where he will meet with Greek leaders to discuss Cyprus.
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These are all positive developments which I hope will be the catalyst for new discussions between both sides.
When I was in Ankara 2 1/2 weeks ago with Mr. Rogers of Michigan, we talked with Mr. Erdogan who was not yet the Prime Minister, about Cyprus. Mr. Erdogan was totally supportive of the U.N. process. So I believe this is an opportunity for us, as your resolution states, to encourage our strong allies in Turkey to continue this effort. As we attempt to jumpstart this process again, it is important to recognize that it is going to take an even greater commitment from the United States and the international community to achieve a lasting settlement to the Cyprus issue.
I hope and I am confident that our colleagues on the Europe Subcommittee and throughout the entire Congress will work to achieve a just resolution of this issue that is in the best interest of both the Greek and Turkish Cypriots as well as the United States.
Thank you.
Mr. BEREUTER. We appreciate your statement. This is the time of maximum leverage because of the accession of Cyprus to the European Union.
Are there other Members that have statements?
Seeing none, I have an amendment at the desk. The clerk will report.
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Ms. RUSH. En bloc amendment offered by Mr. Bereuter.
In the 1st clause of the preamble, strike ''people of Cyprus and''——
[The information referred to follows:]
EN BLOC AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 165
OFFERED BY MR. BEREUTER
In the 1st clause of the preamble, strike ''people of Cyprus and'' and insert ''Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as well as''
In the 5th clause of the preamble, strike ''the population of Cyprus'' and insert ''Greek and Turkish Cypriots''
In the 6th clause of the preamble after ''2002'' insert ''and again on February 26, 2003''
In the 7th clause of the preamble, strike ''two sides'' and insert ''Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders'' and strike ''were encouraged to intensify their efforts'' and insert ''were encouraged to be intensified''
In the 8th clause of the preamble, strike ''two leaders on Cyprus'' and insert ''Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders''
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In the 10th clause of the preamble, strike ''2'' and insert ''Greek and Turkish Cypriot''
In the 11th clause of the preamble, strike ''both leaders on Cyprus'' and insert ''both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders''
In the 12th clause of the preamble strike, ''the people of Cyprus'' and insert ''Greek and Turkish Cypriots''
Page 4, line 1, strike ''people of Cyprus'' and insert ''Greek and Turkish Cypriots'' Page 4, line 5, strike ''people of Cyprus'' and insert ''Greek and Turkish Cypriots''
Page 4, line 10, strike ''people'' and insert ''community''
Page 5, line 5, strike ''Cypriot communities'' and insert ''Greek and Turkish Cypriots''
Page 5, line 9, strike ''people of Cyprus'' and insert ''Greek and Turkish Cypriots''
Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read and opened for amendment itself.
This amendment I need to explain. It looks simple and removes the reference to the people of Cyprus and in all cases refers to Greek and Turkish Cypriots which is consistent throughout. There is a date added as well, and in one cases community is inserted for people. This was suggested by the State Department. I am not sure if it is necessary but they think it is better so we have asked their opinion and I am going to offer it, and I do.
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Are there comments on the amendment?
[No audible response]
The question then is on the approval of the amendment as offered. All those in favor will say aye.
[Chorus of ayes]
Those opposed will say no.
[No audible response]
Mr. BEREUTER. In the opinion of the Chair the ayes have it. The ayes do have it, the amendment is agreed to.
Are there further amendments to the legislation?
[No audible response]
Mr. BEREUTER. Seeing none, the Chair will now entertain a motion that the bill be reported favorably to the Full Committee as amended.
Mr. WEXLER. So moved.
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Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you.
The question occurs on the motion to report the Resolution H. Res. 165 favorably as amended.
All in favor will say aye.
[Chorus of ayes]
Mr. BEREUTER. All opposed will say no.
[No audible response]
Mr. BEREUTER. The motion is approved and the bill is reported favorably.
Without objection the bill will be reported favorably to the Full Committee in the form of a single amendment in the nature of a substitute incorporating the amendment adopted here today.
Without objection the staff is directed to make any technical and conforming amendments.
I have invited Mr. Smith who is the prime sponsor of the resolution on Belarus to make comments if he wishes. I think he will be arriving shortly.
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We are therefore going to move to the third item on the agenda, H. Res. 154 and H. Con. Res. 129.
What I intend to do to give proper credit to Mr. Vitter, for example, for his initiative, is to pass his resolution with the approval of the Subcommittee if it is at all possible, and then move directly to Mr. Gallegly's amendment.
I have an en bloc amendment prepared which will incorporate some changes and some positive things from Mr. Vitter's resolution and I would hope therefore to see that resolution advance to the Full Committee.
Pursuant to notice I call up H. Con. Res. 129 commending the United Kingdom for it support for purposes of markup.
The clerk will report.
Ms. RUSH. H. Con. Res. 129 expressing appreciation for the longstanding support and friendship of the people and the Government of the United Kingdom.
[The resolution, H. Con. Res. 129, follows:]
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Mr. BEREUTER. I am going to waive an opening statement.
Does the gentleman have any statement on this particular resolution?
Mr. WEXLER. Are you going to wait until the next——
Mr. BEREUTER. I am.
Mr. WEXLER. Then I will do the same.
Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you.
Without objection the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendments at any point.
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Are there any amendments to the resolution?
[No audible response]
The Chair will now entertain a motion that the resolution be reported favorably to the Full Committee.
Mr. WEXLER. So moved.
Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you.
The question occurs on the motion to report H. Con. Res. 129 favorably. All in favor will say aye.
[Chorus of ayes]
Mr. BEREUTER. All opposed will say no.
The motion is approved and the resolution is reported favorably.
Without objection the staff is directed to make any technical and conforming amendments.
Now therefore we will call up H. Res. 154 commending Prime Minister Blair for support for purposes of markup. The clerk will report.
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Ms. RUSH. H. Res. 154, a resolution commending the Prime Minister of Great Britain for his stalwart leadership and unwavering support of the United States in the effort to disarm Saddam Hussein of weapons of mass destruction——
[The resolution, H. Res. 154, follows:]
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Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendments at any point.
This resolution is offered by our colleague Mr. Gallegly, the former Chairman of this Subcommittee, and I speak in support of both resolutions and particularly this one which would commend the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Blair for their steadfast support for the campaign in Iraq to rid Iraq of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction.
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As I mentioned, these two resolutions are very similar and it is my intention to marry the previously approved resolution with the Gallegly resolution in the form of a substitute amendment offered by the Chair.
The United Kingdom and its 45,000 heroic men and women who are currently in the Iraqi theater have been the most committed of our allies fighting as part of the coalition against the Iraq regime. Prime Minister Blair has shown courageous leadership in cooperating with the United States against Iraq despite the views of many in the Parliament and the views of a large part of its public.
Our two colleagues and their co-sponsors believe that Congress needs to take the time to salute all of the nations who have been willing to join the coalition to rid Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction and its brutal dictatorship.
We are all aware of the contributions of nations such as Australia, Poland, Denmark, and others. However I do agree with them and I believe that a special note of thanks and appreciation is certainly due the Government, people and military forces of the United Kingdom as well as a special note of praise for the Prime Minster.
I would be pleased to yield now to the gentleman from Florida, the Ranking Member, and then we will turn to Mr. Gallegly.
Mr. WEXLER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will be brief.
I too want to express my total support for both of these resolutions and commend Mr. Gallegly for bringing this very apt resolution.
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I think it goes without saying that all Americans, whether they support the Administration's policy with respect to Iraq or those that may have a differing point of view are extremely appreciative and understand the extraordinary commitment that the United Kingdom has made to join with the United States.
It is but one example of the most deep-rooted alliance that the United States has. We are grateful to the British people and to Prime Minister Blair for their efforts to work in concert with the United States. It goes without saying that both countries and both peoples benefit from that.
I would just add if I could, Mr. Chairman, one thing that I think we would be remiss not to discuss in the context of this resolution. It seems to me that the best way in which the United States and this Congress can honor the commitment that Tony Blair has made to the United States and to our coalition forces is to give great credence and a degree of credibility to the ideology and the future views that Mr. Blair has professed in terms of rebuilding Iraq and the manner in which our government goes about reconstructing Iraq after the military victory.
Mr. Blair has been very specific in his public comments about the need of repairing the Atlantic relationship. Mr. Blair has played I think an extremely positive role in encouraging our Administration to take great lengths to rebuild the transatlantic alliance and to strengthen it and to bring the rebuilding of Iraq to an international forum so that it does not become a singularly American or British affair but an international process. That is what Mr. Blair believes is in the best interest of the coalition, is in the best interest of the transatlantic alliance, and I think the manner in which we can honor this relationship to its greatest would be to take Mr. Blair's advice very seriously and act upon it.
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Thank you very much.
Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Wexler.
Now I am pleased to yield to the distinguished Chairman of another Subcommittee, former Chairman of this Subcommittee, the prime sponsor of this resolution, Mr. Gallegly. And I thank him for his initiative.
Mr. GALLEGLY. I thank the Chairman, my good friend from Nebraska. I would like to express my appreciation to you, Mr. Chairman, for scheduling this markup H. Res. 154.
This resolution commends Prime Minister Tony Blair for his leadership and unwavering support of the United States.
We are partners in the effort to disarm Saddam Hussein of weapons of mass destruction and to free the Iraqi people from Saddam's brutal dictatorship.
I also appreciate the work by Mr. Vitter on this issue. I am pleased that the Chairman will combine the measures into one single resolution for consideration by the Full Committee.
Mr. Chairman, the American people have learned a great deal about Tony Blair in the past several months. As President Bush said on March 27th, ''We have learned that he is a man of his word. We have learned that he is a man of courage and a man of vision. We are proud to have him as a friend.''
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We all share the sentiments expressed by the President. Prime Minister Tony Blair and the United Kingdom have been stalwart allies at every stage of our effort to disarm Saddam Hussein.
Tony Blair stood with us at the United Nations in an effort to both pass and enforce the provisions of United Nations Resolution 1441. He also stood with us and continues to be our strongest ally as we fight to disarm Iraq and liberate the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein's rule.
Tony Blair has been passionate in describing the brutality of living in Iraq under Saddam Hussein. He has tirelessly fought to make sure that the world would never forget the cruel tyrants in Baghdad that humiliate, torture and kill their own people without mercy whatsoever.
As the United States and United Kingdom fight to liberate Iraq and to remove the threat from the Middle East and the entire world, I believe it is appropriate to honor American's most loyal friend, Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for consideration of H. Res. 154 and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you for your statement.
The gentleman from South Dakota, Governor Janklow.
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Mr. JANKLOW. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and I am going to be extremely brief.
Tony Blair, Prime Minister Blair is one of those individuals that truly is unique. We come to know them as political figures who ebb and flow with what is going on in politics, and then all of a sudden there comes a point in time when principle rises above politics. Where even in the face of public polls or sentiment by huge numbers are opposed to actions that one is taking as a leader. He understands there are things that are truly more important than politics and things that are truly more important than polls.
All politicians say that. This is a man who understands it and means it.
As far as the nation of Britain is concerned, the relationship that Great Britain and the United States have had is truly unique, truly unique since the founding of this country, but for the last 100 years a good majority of it, I have lived during the time when Britain was under attack and evacuating at Dunkirk and the Yanks went and joined the Royal Air Force. On Omaha Beach and Sword Beach and Juneau and the other beaches, it was the Americans and the Brits arm in arm that were dying together as they landed on Normandy. In North Africa it was the American and British together that were winning and dying together, fighting in World War II.
In the Korean War they were at our side. In the Falklands War they fought the battle but we provided valuable assistance to them.
The point I am trying to make is the relationship we have with Great Britain is truly unique. It is something that we need to always recognize, notwithstanding at times we have our differences, our fundamental principles would tie us together. We call it the bill of rights. They go all the way back to a document called the Magna Carta. Between the two of us we have imperfect societies but always moving toward greater protection, and I just could not be more excited. And to you Mr. Gallegly and to Mr. Vitter for having proposed these resolutions, I really commend them.
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Thank you. And thank you Mr. Chairman for moving them forward.
With enthusiasm, I am excited to support them.
Mr. BEREUTER. Governor Janklow, thank you for your eloquent statement.
Are there other Members who wish to make a statement?
Mr. Engel? The gentleman from New York is recognized.
Mr. ENGEL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know we have a vote so I am going to be very quick.
I certainly support the resolution and I just wanted to if I could for 30 seconds ask unanimous consent to speak out of turn.
Mr. BEREUTER. Is there objection?
[No audible response]
Mr. BEREUTER. Hearing none, the gentleman may proceed.
Mr. ENGEL. I had an amendment that I was going to introduce and then withdraw, but I just wanted to thank the gentleman for the excellent Cyprus resolution and I think that the failure of the U.N. Secretary General's efforts to reach a statement on the Cyprus question was a very unfortunate development.
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I just want you to know I was going to put in an amendment and then withdraw it, but essentially my amendment was going to say that, I will not read the amendment now but I will submit it for the record. It is basically talking about the situation on Cyprus and celebrating President Papadopoulos of Cyprus.
I just want to say that according to the Secretary General's statement of March 11th, President Papadopoulos, and I am going to just quote it very quickly, answered that ''he was prepared to submit to the U.N. a plan for a referendum as long as the people knew what they were being asked to vote on.''
To that end President Papadopoulos wished to be sure that the gaps regarding Federal legislation as well as constituent state constitutions would be filled and he underlined the importance of Greece and Turkey agreeing and committing to the security provisions in the plan, and more time was needed, and these conditions need to be fulfilled before a referendum can take place. And he said he was prepared not to reopen the substantive provisions if the other side was prepared to do likewise.
So I just wanted to put this in the record.
Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection your entire statement will be made part of the record.
Mr. ENGEL. I thank you.
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Mr. BEREUTER. Are there further statements?
I have an amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk which, without objection, will be considered a read.
The clerk will read.
Ms. RUSH. Amendment offered by Mr. Bereuter. On page 1, delete the 2nd clause of the preamble. On page 1, insert a——
[The information referred to follows:]
SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 154
OFFERED BY MR. BEREUTER
On page 1, delete the 2nd clause of the preamble
On page 1, insert a new 1st clause of the preamble to read ''Whereas there is a long history of consistent friendship and support between the United States and the United Kingdom;''
On page 1, insert a new 2nd clause in the preamble to read ''Whereas shared principles and ideals have formed the basis of the enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom''
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In the 5th clause of the preamble, strike ''has committed his'' and insert ''along with the support of the House of Commons committed the''
After the 5th clause of the preamble add a new clause to read ''Whereas the British military has deployed more than 45,000 troops to the conflict in Iraq, including members of the Royal Army, Navy Marines and Air Force''
On page 2 delete clause 7 Page 2 line 2 insert ''(1) expresses its grateful support of the Government of the United Kingdom; (2) commends British Prime Minister Tony Blair for his leadership and cooperation in the effort to disarm Saddam Hussein of weapons of mass destruction and free the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein's brutal dictatorship; (3) commends the bravery and courage of all members of the British military as well as all coalition forces which stand together with the United States in the current engagement in Iraq; and (4) expresses its hope that this unique bond of friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom continues in perpetuity.''
Mr. BEREUTER. The amendment is considered as read without objection.
Mr. Gallegly, I know that you have had a chance to see it. I understand that you are in agreement with it.
It is basically a merger of the elements of H. Con. Res. 129 with your own and I urge adoption of the substitute.
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The question then occurs on the amendment.
All those in favor will say aye.
[Chorus of ayes]
Mr. BEREUTER. All those opposed will say no.
[No audible response]
Mr. BEREUTER. In the opinion of the Chair the ayes have it.
Are there further amendments to the bill?
[No audible response]
Mr. BEREUTER. The question occurs then on the amendment and nature of a substitute. All in favor will say aye.
[Chorus of ayes]
Mr. BEREUTER. Those opposed will say no.
[No audible response]
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Mr. BEREUTER. The Chair will now entertain a motion that the resolution be reported favorably to the Full Committee as amended by the amendment in the nature of a substitute, and by the way I did not announce that the amendment was approved.
Thank you, Mr. Gallegly.
The question occurs on the motion to report H. Res. 154 favorably as amended.
All in favor will say aye.
[Chorus of ayes]
Mr. BEREUTER. All opposed will say no.
The motion is approved and the bill is reported favorably.
Without objection the staff is directed to make any technical and conforming amendments.
I do not believe we can complete action on the Belarus legislation. It is my intent to come back and do it. I think it is non-controversial. I think it is important that we move it, but I believe we would delay the Members and miss a vote potentially.
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The Subcommittee will stand in recess until immediately after the vote. We may have a vote on the rule. This is on a previous question.
[Recess]
Mr. BEREUTER. The Subcommittee will come to order.
Before I call up the resolution I want to say a few words informally about H. Res. 854.
First of all it is introduced by our colleague on the Committee, Chris Smith, the gentleman from New Jersey. He has been extremely active, as the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission here in the House, and active in the OSCE. I happen to think, in my view, that the resolution is an excellent one and it reflects a lot of work.
I would say from my own experience on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly we have looked into Belarus for some period of time. It is the only country that was an associate member that we reluctantly with good cause and unanimously expelled from the assembly because of their outrageous practices, because of their lack of democracy and the activities in particular of the President which relates to violence.
I would like to call upon Mr. Smith for any introductory comments that he might want to make, even before we proceed to the actual markup and I thank the gentleman for his initiative.
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Mr. CHRISTOPHER SMITH. I appreciate the distinguished Chairman for marking up the bill and for his leadership on many issues related to Europe and human rights especially today on Belarus.
This legislation is a bipartisan proposal. It recognizes that things are deteriorating in Belorussia, that Belarus, as The Washington Post so aptly put it, remains the last dictatorship in Europe and certain examples of Lukashenko's repression rivals that of people like Nicolai Cheauchesceau and others in terms of degree, severity, with one added caveat. He and his regime are also very much complicit in the arms transfer and selling to rogue nations which obviously puts our pilots and our men and women in uniform at risk.
This legislation with its mutually reinforcing aspects regarding sanctions and its assistance of civil society as well as other monies to try to beef up the democratization and the human rights promotion in Belarus, taken together as a whole is a comprehensive package to try to really make the difference.
There are elections coming up very shortly in Belarus that will deal with parliamentary and presidential. The problem that we have is that in the past they have been a farce. When the pro-democracy candidates won in Belarus just a few years ago, what did Lukashenko do? He dissolved it and had his own rogue elections to follow.
I would say to my friend and colleague that in the OSCE which I chair and Commissioner Hoeffel and others have all been a part of this, we fought very hard to keep them out of the OSCE parliamentary assembly. Unfortunately at the Vienna meeting we lost the fight in a recorded vote because things have deteriorated, and people were saying let him in, maybe things will get better. Very naive, but nevertheless they are back in.
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I thank you for marking this up. The sooner we get this enacted into law the better. I do hope that all Members of the Committee will, as I will, answer any questions about the particular legislation if you are so inclined.
Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you very much, Mr. Smith.
Pursuant to notice I call up the bill H. Res. 854 for purposes of markup. The clerk will report.
Ms. RUSH. H.R. 854, to provide for the promotion of democracy, human rights, and rule of law in the Republic of Belarus and for the consolidation and strengthening of Belarus sovereignty and independence.
[The resolution, H. Res. 854, follows:]
86304b.AAB
86304b.AAC
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86304b.AAD
86304b.AAE
86304b.AAF
86304b.AAG
86304b.AAH
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86304b.AAI
86304b.AAJ
86304b.AAK
86304b.AAL
86304b.AAM
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86304b.AAN
86304b.AAO
86304b.AAP
86304b.AAQ
Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection, the bill will be considered as read and open for amendments at any point.
I do have a brief opening statement.
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I would say that a specific hearing was on our notional agenda for this Subcommittee, a specific hearing on Belarus, but I know that the gentleman has an interest in trying to add this to the State Department Authorization Bill so I thought it was appropriate to move ahead at this point on a resolution that I think is extremely well crafted.
So I do support the resolution.
It was introduced by our colleague who, as I mentioned, is the Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. He has focused substantial time and effort on the current and unacceptable situation in Belarus.
All of us here are interested in the independence and sovereignty of Belarus and its integration into the European community of democracies.
Unfortunately the current government in Minsk does not seem interested in and certainly has not demonstrated a commitment to such goals. According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Belarus is one of the least reformed and most repressive of the countries that once made up the old Soviet Union.
Freedom House in its recent Nations in Transit assessment gave Belarus, called them a ''presidential dictatorship and a consolidated autocracy.''
In its 2001 Human Rights Report the State Department states that, ''The regime's human rights record continues to be very poor. There are widespread human and civil rights violations. There is a manipulation of the regime-dominated mass media. And recent elections have been neither free nor fair.''
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The provisions of this legislation I think are an appropriate approach to a regime which refuses to recognize the realities of the 21st Century and I will urge adoption of this bill.
I will turn now, to the Ranking Minority Member, the distinguished gentleman from Florida. Does he wish to make a statement or is he yielding?
Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Chairman, with your indulgence Mr. Hoeffel is an original sponsor of the bill so I would ask that he be allowed to make our statement.
Mr. BEREUTER. Absolutely. Please proceed, Mr. Hoeffel.
Mr. HOEFFEL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for bringing this bill up. I also want to thank the Ranking Member for his courtesy this morning. Also, of course, salute Congressman Smith for his leadership, his prime sponsorship of this bill and his years of work to try to correct the problems in Belarus.
I want to offer my strong support for the Belarus Democracy Act of 2003. We are here today to promote the democratic development of one of the world's most repressed nations, Belarus.
The Helsinki Commission under Chairman Smith has worked hard on this legislation and this issue. I know that Congressman Gallegly as well has been very involved in this effort.
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While the rest of Europe including many former Soviet satellites have moved forward to embrace winds of reform, this has not happened in Belarus, a nation where authoritarianism, fear and political repression remain unchanged and constant.
The Dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko has caused his nation to suffer greatly, committed grave human rights violations, suppressed political opposition by any means possible including torture, mass arrests, disappearances and detentions. Lukashenko's regime has harassed and repressed the independent media. The Chair has already referred to the State Department's Human Rights Report for 2002 which indicates Lukashenko's regime has actually become even worse in its abuse of human rights.
This legislation is not an easy cure for a nation like Belarus that's experienced the repression on economic and political and social grounds from the President Lukashenko. But organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, other democratic governments throughout the world are determined to bring freedom to Belarus and the Belarus Democracy Act of 2003 would put this country strongly in favor of that reform movement.
Belarus remains a relic of past failure and repression where democracy, human rights and the rule of law are absent and the hopes of millions remain unfulfilled.
The Belarus Democracy Act of 2003 should be a catalyst leading to the disintegration of the Lukashenko regime.
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I urge all of my colleagues here today to support this legislation and send a strong message that the United States remains firmly committed to the future of Belarus.
I yield back and I thank the Chair for his courtesy.
Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you.
Any more statements?
The gentleman from New York, Mr. Engel is recognized.
Mr. ENGEL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I wish to commend the sponsors of this legislation. I have had the opportunity to travel with Belarus. It happens to be the place where my mother's mother emigrated from about 100 years ago, and was very interested in going there.
As I mentioned in one of the hearings we had just last week, if you contrast Belarus with Ukraine, while there are many many problems in Ukraine with the government that need to be taken care of, Belarus unfortunately has tended to look eastward while Ukraine has looked westward and we see no change for Mr. Lukashenko in terms of democratization or being enlightened. It is almost as if he longs for the good old days of the Soviet Union when there was total repression and Belarus was in essence a colony of Russia. It looks as if Mr. Lukashenko longs for those good old days.
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So I think that this legislation is well balanced. It strikes the right chord.
All of our goals is not to hit anybody over the head with a stick, but it is to truly democratize Belarus, to change the outlook there of the people.
We know the Belarussian people like all people strive for freedom, strive for democracy, want to be free. Unfortunately these people have lived under the yoke of oppression for so long, first as part of the Soviet Union and now with a government that kind of wishes it was part and parcel of Moscow.
So I think that we are striking the right balance here. It is very good for this Subcommittee and this congress and this Committee to be engaged, and I wholly support the legislation wholeheartedly. Thank you.
Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Engel.
Seeing no further requests for time I have an amendment at the desk the clerk will read.
Ms. RUSH. En bloc amendment offered by Mr. Bereuter, page 7, line 17, strike ''$40,000,000'' and insert ''such sums as may be necessary——''
[The information referred to follows:]
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86304a.eps
Mr. BEREUTER. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be considered as read.
This amendment strikes the authorization of a specific funding level and substitutes such sums. The fiscal year 2004 budget requests $8 million for Belarus and maybe that figure could be somewhat higher. I am offering this amendment without prejudice.
The gentleman will have a chance to offer it up in Full Committee, and he may well find me to be a cosponsor of his amendment if he wishes.
I am hoping that the passage of this legislation by the Subcommittee would in fact strengthen the gentleman's opportunity to put it in the State Department authorization bill.
That is the purpose for the amendment. It simply changes it to such sums as are necessary.
The question then occurs on the amendment. All those in favor will say aye.
[Chorus of ayes]
Mr. BEREUTER. Those opposed will say no.
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[No audible response]
Mr. BEREUTER. The amendment is agreed to.
Are there further amendments to the legislation?
Seeing none the Chair will now entertain a motion that the bill be favorably reported to the full committed as amended.
Ms. DAVIS. So moved.
Mr. BEREUTER. I thank the gentle lady.
The question occurs on the motion to report the bill H.R. 854 favorably as amended. All in favor will say aye.
[Chorus of ayes]
Mr. BEREUTER. All opposed no.
The motion is approved. The bill is reported favorably.
Without objection the bill will be reported favorably in the Full Committee in the form of a single amendment in the nature of a substitute incorporating the amendment adopted here today.
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Without objection the staff is directed to make any technical and conforming amendments.
I thank the Members of the Subcommittee for responding so that we can complete this markup.
The Subcommittee stands adjourned.
Thank you.
[Whereupon, at 12 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]