SPEAKERS CONTENTS INSERTS
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41—990 CC
1997
H. CON. RES. 17, CONGRATULATING THE PEOPLE OF GUATEMALA ON THE SUCCESS OF THE RECENT NEGOTIATIONS TO ESTABLISH A PEACE PROCESS FOR GUATEMALA; AND H. CON. RES. 18, CONGRATULATING THE PEOPLE OF NICARAGUA ON THE SUCCESS OF THEIR DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS HELD OCTOBER 20, 1996
MARKUP
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED FIFTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
MARCH 4, 1997
Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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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
JERRY MORAN, Kansas
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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
WALTER CAPPS, California
BRAD SHERMAN, California
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
STEVE ROTHMAN, New Jersey
BOB CLEMENT, Tennessee
DENNIS KUCINICH, Ohio
RICHARD J. GARON, Chief of Staff
MICHAEL H. VAN DUSEN, Democratic Chief of Staff
WALKER ROBERTS, Senior Professional Staff Member
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HILLEL WEINBERG, Senior Professional Staff Member and Counsel
ROGER NORIEGA, Professional Staff Member
PARKER H. BRENT, Staff Associate
C O N T E N T S
Markup of H. Con. Res. 17
Markup of H. Con. Res. 18
APPENDIX
H. Con. Res. 17, reprint of
H. Con. Res. 18, reprint of
Prepared statements:
Chairman Benjamin A. Gilman
Congressman Elton Gallegly
Congressman Gary Ackerman
Congressman Cass Ballenger
Congressman Amo Houghton
H. CON. RES. 17 AND H. CON. RES. 18
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1997
House of Representatives,
Committee on International Relations,
Washington, DC.
The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 1:10 p.m. in room 2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Benjamin A. Gilman (chairman of the committee) presiding.
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Chairman GILMAN. The committee will come to order.
The Committee on International Relations meets today in open session to consider two resolutions, H. Con. Res 17 and H. Con. Res. 18, that acknowledge the important achievements of two Central American neighbors who are consolidating peace and democracy.
Fifteen years ago, Central America was in turmoil. Then we paid a good deal of attention to the region and invested extraordinary sums to bolster democratic governments or resist leftist insurgencies.
Now we see a region living in peace with democracy. The American people are rightfully claiming some credit for supporting our neighbors in their hour of need--in a common struggle to defend democracy.
But all of us will surely acknowledge that the Central American people themselves deserve the utmost credit for an extraordinary democratic transition.
We single out two nations--Guatemala and Nicaragua--for recent contributions. But their neighbors in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Panama also deserve special recognition.
I thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Mr. Gallegly, for sponsoring the resolution on Guatemala, H. Con. Res. 17. And we thank our friend from New York, Mr. Houghton, for his resolution regarding Nicaragua, H. Con. Res. 18. I am pleased to have been included as an original cosponsor of both of these important measures.
I will now yield to our ranking Democratic member, Mr. Hamilton, for any opening comments that he might have.
Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Chairman, I am very happy to join with you in support of this resolution that congratulates the people of Guatemala for the tremendous gains that they have made in establishing peace in their country. We are all aware that this has been a long process in Guatemala. It has required great patience by the people of Guatemala. They have suffered 36 years of a brutal civil war and have taken significant risks for peace. The signing of the peace accords in December certainly does not complete the peace process in Guatemala. Considerable obstacles remain to consolidating peace, democracy, and respect for human rights.
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I am encouraged by the language in the resolution. It pledges continued U.S. assistance for the peace process, and I strongly support the resolution. I urge its adoption by the committee.
Thank you.
Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Hamilton.
Are any other members seeking recognition?
Mr. Faleomavaega.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Chairman, I will defer to my senior colleague from New York.
Chairman GILMAN. Mr. Ackerman.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman GILMAN. If the gentleman would pause for a moment, let us get the bill out before the committee if that is what you would like to discuss. So if you would withhold your comments at this time, the Chair will lay before the committee H. Con. Res. 17. And the clerk will report the title of the resolution.
Ms. BLOOMER. H. Con. Res. 17. Concurrent resolution congratulating the people of Guatemala on the success of the recent negotiations to establish a peace process for Guatemala.
Chairman GILMAN. Without objection, the clerk will read the preamble and the operative text of the resolution for amendment.
Ms. BLOOMER. Whereas, on December 29, 1996----
Chairman GILMAN. Without objection, the preamble and operative text are considered as having been read and are open to amendment at any point.
And in the absence of the gentleman from California, Mr. Gallegly, the gentleman from California, Mr. Campbell, will be asked to explain the resolution.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I ask unanimous consent to have the entirety of Chairman Gallegly's statement inserted into the record.
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Chairman GILMAN. Without objection.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Gallegly appears in the appendix.]
Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Chairman, on behalf of Chairman Gallegly, the principal sponsor of the Guatemala resolution--Chairman Gallegly being on an airplane returning from California as we speak--I want to thank you for holding this markup to consider legislation that highlights some of the good news stories about the Western Hemisphere.
This legislation congratulates President Arzu, the URNG, and the people of Guatemala for their recent success in concluding an agreement that brings to an end a civil war which has raged for more than 30 years and which has cost the lives of over 100,000 Guatemalans.
The signing of the peace accords on December 29th concluded 6 years of negotiations between the two sides and established a framework within which the country will now embark on a period of peace, reconciliation and reconstruction.
The Guatemalan people now join nations such as El Salvador and Nicaragua in choosing peace over warfare, democracy over anarchy, economic development over poverty and chaos, social justice over exploitation and abuse.
Mr. Chairman, with the problems we currently face in the hemisphere, especially with the issue of the war on drugs, this recent news from Guatemala and Nicaragua is most welcomed.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to support the peace process in Guatemala.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Campbell.
H. Con. Res. 17 acknowledges that Guatemala is reinventing itself under comprehensive peace accords signed on December 29, 1996, that ended a 35-year civil war. After surprising all sides by achieving peace and purging corrupt officers and suspected human rights violators from the security forces, President Alvaro Arzu has moved swiftly to form commissions responsible for implementing specific agreements on economic, political, and cultural reforms.
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Demobilization of the guerrillas is one of the most important short-term tasks. International donors are coordinating operations under which the roughly 3,000 guerrillas are assembling in seven sites in rural Guatemala and being processed for training and resettlement programs.
Mr. Ackerman.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to congratulate you and thank and congratulate Mr. Gallegly for the timeliness and importance of this resolution.
If there would be no objection, I have a prepared statement that I would like to put in the record.
Chairman GILMAN. Without objection.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Ackerman appears in the appendix.]
Chairman GILMAN. And Mr. Houghton.
Mr. HOUGHTON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I also have a concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 18, congratulating the people of the Republic of Nicaragua on holding democratic elections.
I have got an extensive statement, Mr. Chairman. I will not read it. Just let me say one or two words if I could.
Chairman GILMAN. Mr. Houghton, we will take up the Nicaragua resolution right after we finish with the Guatemala resolution, if the gentleman would be kind enough to withhold his remarks.
Mr. HOUGHTON. I thought you had called on me.
Chairman GILMAN. Mr. Faleomavaega.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, I would be remiss if I do not express for the record my sense of appreciation certainly to the gentleman from North Carolina who was kind enough to extend an invitation to the members of the committee to accompany him to visit Guatemala and Nicaragua in the month of January. And I certainly want to note that it has been a real education for me to visit those countries in Central America.
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Mr. Chairman, Guatemala has come a long way. And we should indeed commend them for such impressive gains in the name of peace and democracy.
The final accord signed on January 29 was the culmination of 6 years of negotiation. I am especially encouraged, Mr. Chairman, by one particular aspect, the peace process in Guatemala. When I was in Guatemala in January, it struck me that, for the first time in that country's history, its indigenous Indian population, which accounts for between 40 to 60 percent of the population of that country, is taking a central role in this political life.
One of the six substantive accords agreed to in Guatemala relates to the identity and the rights of indigenous peoples. That accord has been made operational by the Guatemala Congress and went into legal effect on December 29th.
Among other things, languages of the many indigenous groups are now recognized by the Government of Guatemala. A growing opposition party, the Guatemalan Congress, has mobilized. And the fact of indigenous participation in the democratic process, I am very pleased that this is happening now in Guatemala. And I am encouraged by this resolution. It certainly expresses my enthusiasm for our continued support in this process.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Faleomavaega.
Is there anyone else seeking recognition on the resolution?
If not, are there any amendments?
The gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Goodling.
Mr. GOODLING. I move that the Chairman be requested to seek consideration of the pending resolution on the suspension calendar.
Chairman GILMAN. Without objection, the question is on the motion of the gentleman from Pennsylvania. As many as are in favor, say aye.
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As many as are opposed, say no.
The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The motion is agreed to.
Further proceedings on this matter are postponed.
Our next order of business is H. Con. Res. 18, Nicaragua. The Chair lays the resolution before the committee.
The clerk will report the title of the resolution.
Ms. BLOOMER. H. Con. Res. 18. Concurrent Resolution congratulating the people of the Republic of Nicaragua on the success of their democratic elections held on October 20, 1996.
Chairman GILMAN. Without objection, the clerk will read the preamble and text of the resolution for amendment.
Ms. BLOOMER. Whereas, on October 20, 1996, the people of the Republic of Nicaragua----
Chairman GILMAN. Without objection the preamble and operative text of the resolution are considered as having been read and are open to amendment at any point.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York, Mr. Houghton, to speak on his resolution.
Mr. HOUGHTON. Am I on now, Mr. Chairman?
Chairman GILMAN. You are in order.
Mr. HOUGHTON. Well, thank you very much.
And, again, as I started to say earlier, I will not spend a lot of time reading the whole resolution. But I do want to express just a few ideas if you would permit me.
I want to thank Elton Gallegly, Gary Ackerman, and Cass Ballenger for their co-sponsorship of this particular resolution.
Two other members of the committee, Dan Burton and Eni Faleomavaega, have also joined as co-sponsors; and I appreciate their association.
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The resolution really does three things. First of all it congratulates the people of the Republic of Nicaragua on holding free and fair elections. And this is for the second time in the whole history of that country.
And second it recognizes the contributions made by the great healer, President Violeta Chamorro.
And, third, it celebrates the peaceful swearing in of a new President in Nicaragua, Arnoldo Aleman, who used to be the mayor of Managua.
There are a variety of other things which I would like to say. Mr. Chairman, I guess the most important thing is this, that, as you know, over 80 percent of the people cast their ballots for the President and Vice President. And I always can remember 6 years ago when Violeta Chamorro was being elected that we picked up in our Jeep there a girl who had walked 30 miles with her baby to vote and then was going to go back another 30 miles because she was so much involved in the whole process of electing the President.
Now, these elections, for the second time, were not perfect. And there were some complications and irregularities. But I think most people have felt that the elections were ultimately fair and free and a legitimate expression of the will of the people of Nicaragua.
So, Mr. Chairman, I hope you and all of my colleagues will join me in congratulating the people of this great country on the success of these elections and wish President Aleman the success he deserves in the beginning of his administration.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Houghton.
Mr. Hamilton.
Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Chairman, I will be happy to yield to Mr. Ackerman.
Chairman GILMAN. Mr. Ackerman.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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Last fall the people of Nicaragua again chose the path of democracy by electing Liberal Reliance candidate Arnoldo Aleman decisively.
In the wake of their second free and fair election of the 1990's, Nicaraguans must move just as decisively to consolidate democracy and strengthen their civil institutions.
Nicaragua is on its way to recovery. With 3 years of economic growth, peace, and stability, the people of Nicaragua chose a candidate who emphasized economic reform and private sector-led growth as key planks in his platform.
Nevertheless, President Aleman has his work cut out for him. Nicaragua continues to have a precarious balance of payments position and is heavily dependent upon foreign assistance.
Although the economy has grown recently, the country remains very poor with a per capita income of $470 per year. Strengthening the rule of law was a campaign theme of the President, and he inherits a court system that has become a bottleneck as problems of crime and property disputes have proliferated.
It is imperative for Nicaragua to address this question if foreign investors are to have any confidence in the country's future.
The United States and other donors have provided $4 billion to Nicaragua since 1990, and for the coming fiscal year USAID has requested an additional $22 million to deepen and expand economic reforms and enhance the legitimacy of civil institutions.
The international community must continue to work with the Nicaraguans to help them along this path to prosperity.
I believe, Mr. Chairman, that this resolution will provide a measure of moral support to Nicaraguans and encourage them to continue on the road that they have chosen.
I want to thank Mr. Houghton for his aggressive leadership and compassion and understanding in this area as well as Chairman Gallegly, and thank you, Mr. Chairman, for bringing this to us in such an expeditious fashion.
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And I urge all of our colleagues to support the resolution.
Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Ackerman.
Mr. Hamilton, you yielded to Mr. Ackerman.
Mr. HAMILTON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to extend my appreciation to the gentleman from New York, Mr. Houghton, for introducing this resolution. We all owe him a debt of gratitude.
The 1996 October election was an exciting one in Nicaragua. In a country that has almost no transportation system, between 85 and 90 percent of the eligible voters voted in that election, not just one ballot but six ballots. And for the first time a domestic election observation group oversaw the election.
The people have indicated they want to continue the transition to democracy. We recognize that here. We want to congratulate them for their efforts and for their relatively young democracy.
I support the resolution.
Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Hamilton.
Is any other member seeking recognition?
Mr. Faleomavaega.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of this resolution congratulating the people of Nicaragua on the success of their elections held on November 20 of last year.
And I thank the gentleman from New York for being the chief sponsor of this resolution. He certainly is one of our experts, I believe, in Central America. I look forward to working with the gentleman in the coming months, especially in dealing with issues affecting the Western Hemisphere.
Mr. Chairman, I had the honor of being in Nicaragua on January 10th for the inauguration of President Aleman. It was clear that the people of Nicaragua are dedicated to principles of democracy. This election was a success. Domestic and international observers declared them to be free and fair and the true expression of the desires of the voters of Nicaragua.
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There was a large turnout, the kind we dream about even here in the United States I submit, Mr. Chairman. The attempts by the opponents of democracy to sully the results and the process were unsuccessful.
I am also pleased by the development of institutions in Nicaragua that will help consolidate that country's democracy. The Supreme Electoral Commission has successfully conducted a number of free and fair elections. For the first time there is a Civilian Defense Ministry run by a civilian Minister of Defense.
This is an exciting and critical time for Nicaragua. I am pleased that we are taking this opportunity to support this young, fledgling democracy.
There are still many challenges, Mr. Chairman, for the Nicaraguans to overcome. It remains the second poorest country in the hemisphere. It faces an enormous challenge to resolving its property problems.
The Nicaraguans have chosen to address these problems through democratic procedures and process. And we certainly ought to commend them for this effort.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Faleomavaega.
Mr. Fox.
Mr. FOX. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I, too, want to congratulate Mr. Houghton and the other co-sponsors of H. Con. Res 18. I feel that this kind of resolution will hopefully lead to acknowledgement of Nicaragua's progress, inspire and encourage other nations not yet democracies to follow Nicaragua's lead by supporting a free market economy, respect for human rights, and social justice.
I, again, applaud this action and hope for a unanimous vote in the House and Senate.
Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Fox.
By unanimous consent, without objection, I will be inserting a statement at the request of the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Ballenger, on H. Con. Res. 18.
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[The prepared statement of Mr. Ballenger appears in the appendix.]
Chairman GILMAN. Are any other members seeking recognition?
If there are no other members seeking recognition, let me just say a few words in support of H. Con. Res. 18.
The Congress does recognize the significant accomplishments achieved by the Nicaraguan people since the transition to a democratically elected government of President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro on April 20, 1990. The climate of free expression and press has improved since the routine repression and censorship during the former Sandinista regime. The National Assembly is operating vigorously. Political parties and civic groups are active, and spirited public debate on political and economic policies has become routine.
Eighty percent of Nicaraguans participated in the national elections in October 1996 to choose a new President and Vice President, national assembly members, mayors, and city councilmen. The peaceful transition of power on January 10 to a President committed to democratic principles, respect for human rights, and a free market economy confirms that Nicaragua has made great strides toward overcoming a history of dictatorship and civil war.
President Arnoldo Aleman is committed to policies aimed at revitalizing the agriculture sector, attracting foreign investment, and addressing chronic unemployment and poverty that persists, particularly in the rural regions of the past conflict.
Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support the Houghton Resolution. We commend the gentleman from New York for bringing the resolution before the committee.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Houghton appears in the appendix.]
Are there any amendments?
If not, the gentleman from Pennsylvania is recognized to offer a motion.
Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Chairman be requested to seek consideration of the pending resolution on the suspension calendar.
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Chairman GILMAN. The question is on the motion of the gentleman from Pennsylvania. As many as are in favor, say aye.
As many as are opposed, say no.
The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it, and the motion is agreed to.
Further proceedings on this matter are postponed.
I thank all the members for their cooperation.
The committee stands adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 1:22 p.m., the committee was adjourned.]