Statement on Liberian Resolution MR. CHAIRMAN, AS A RESULT OF LIBERIA'S LACK OF PROGRESS IN IMPROVING HUMAN RIGHTS CONDITIONS, U.S. ASSISTANCE TO LIBERIA HAS SHARPLY DECLINED IN RECENT YEARS. THE CONGRESS AND PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE OFTEN EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE LACK OF REGARD FOR INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HUMAN RIGHTS IN LIBERIA, AND IN ITS ANNUAL COUNTRY REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES, THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION ALSO CHARGED THE LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT WITH EXTENSIVE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. THE RECENT VIOLENCE STATES OUR CRITICISMS BEST. BOTH THE MEDIA AND INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ESTIMATED THAT OVER 500 PERSONS, PRIMARILY MEMBERS OF THE MANO AND GIO ETHNIC GROUPS, HAVE BEEN KILLED INDISCRIMINATELY BY BOTH LIBERIAN TROOPS AND REBELS THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN. ACCORDING TO THE ESTIMATES OF UNHCR AND OTHER RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS, THE FIGHTING HAS RESULTED IN THE FLIGHT OF MORE THAN 140,000 LIBERIAN NATIONALS FROM THEIR HOMES IN NIMBA PROVINCE INTO THE REPUBLICS OF COTE D'IVOIRE AND GUINEA. THIS RESOLUTION CONDEMNS THE RECENT VIOLENCE AND CALLS ON THE LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT TO TAKE SWIFT ACTION TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT IN A MANNER THAT PERMITS THE THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES SAFE PASSAGE BACK TO THEIR HOMES. THE RESOLUTION URGES THE LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE AN IMPARTIAL INQUIRY INTO HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, AND TAKE STEPS TO PROSECUTE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE CRIMES. FINALLY, THE RESOLUTION CALLS ON PRESIDENT BUSH ΤΟ CONTINUE ΤΟ SUSPEND ALL U.S. MILITARY AID UNTIL THESE HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED. THE RESOLUTION ENJOYS THE COSPONSORSHIP OF AT LEAST 25 MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE ALONE, AND OVER 50 FROM THE ENTIRE HOUSE. MY COLLEAGUE FROM NEW YORK, MR. WEISS, AND I BELIEVE THAT ACTION AGAINST MR. DOE'S GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME IN COMING, AND THIS RESOLUTION FULFILLS THAT NEED. CUTTING $1.5 MILLION IN MILITARY AID, NOW SUSPENDED UNDER THE BROOKALEXANDER AMENDMENT, WILL NOT MAKE OR BREAK THE LIBERIAN NATIONAL DEFENSE, BUT IT WILL SEND A MESSAGE THAT BOTH CONGRESS AND THE EXECUTIVE CONSIDERS HUMAN RIGHTS A HIGH PRIORITY MATTER IN AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY. THANK YOU. CONSIDERATION OF MISCELLANEOUS BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1990 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC. The committee met in open markup session at 10:05 a.m., in room 2200, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Dante B. Fascell, (chairman) presiding. Chairman FASCELL. The committee will come to order. H. RES. 384 Chairman FASCELL. Alright. The next item on the agenda is H. Res. 384 which the clerk will report. Mr. INGRAM. House Resolution 384 Mr. BURTON. We will accept it as read. Chairman FASCELL. Without objection, the resolution is considered as read, printed in the record in full and open for amendment. [The resolution follows:] (235) |