[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 250 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 250


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

              August 10 (legislative day, August 8), 1994

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing the sense of the Congress in support of efforts by the 
  Government of Mexico, and the major political parties and concerned 
 members of civic society in Mexico, to reform Mexico's political and 
        electoral processes and ensure free and fair elections.

Whereas the United States and Mexico share a common border;
Whereas the people of the United States and the people of Mexico have extensive 
        cultural and historical ties that bind together families and communities 
        across national boundaries;
Whereas a close relationship between the United States and Mexico, based on 
        mutual respect and understanding, is important to the people of both 
        nations;
Whereas the North American Free Trade Agreement, which is designed to increase 
        trade, promote expanded economic activity, and enhance cooperation on 
        issues of mutual interest among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, 
        entered into force on January 1, 1994;
Whereas the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement presents 
        new opportunities for an even closer relationship among the United 
        States, Canada and Mexico;
Whereas this relationship will be furthered by free and fair elections in Mexico 
        on August 21, 1994;
Whereas Mexican leaders from across the political spectrum and representatives 
        of civic society recognized the need for political and electoral reform 
        and have taken steps to achieve these goals;
Whereas recent reforms being implemented in Mexico seek to overcome previous 
        assertions of electoral irregularities which have been highlighted by 
        civil demonstrations and political unrest;
Whereas in January 1994, Mexico's major political parties joined together in an 
        agreement, known as the Agreement for Peace, Democracy, and Justice, 
        designed to reform Mexico's electoral system and to establish procedures 
        for free and fair elections;
Whereas the Federal Electoral Institute has invited representatives of the 
        United Nations to provide technical assistance and financing to domestic 
        Mexican election observers who request this support to help foster their 
        independence, nonpartisanship, and objectivity; and
Whereas the spirit of the North American Free Trade Agreement facilitates 
        cooperation in achieving high standards of democracy: Now, therefore be 
        it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) expresses its support for efforts undertaken by the 
        Government of Mexico, the major political parties, and civic 
        groups to reform Mexico's political and electoral processes and 
        for their ongoing efforts to ensure free and fair elections;
            (2) welcomes steps taken in recent months by the Mexican 
        Government and the nation's political parties to increase the 
        impartiality of the Federal electoral authorities, review the 
        accuracy of the voter registry list, ensure fair media access, 
        and reform campaign finance practices, in accordance with the 
        commitments enumerated in the January 1994 Agreement for Peace, 
        Democracy, and Justice, and encourages continued progress on 
        electoral reform;
            (3) applauds the invitation extended by the Government of 
        Mexico, with the concurrence of the major political parties and 
        concerned members of civic society, to representatives of the 
        United Nations to provide technical assistance and financing to 
        domestic Mexican election observers, and encourages 
        representatives of the United Nations to work closely and 
        directly with Mexican observers during the electoral process;
            (4) takes note of the efforts of the Mexican domestic 
        observer groups to encourage citizen participation throughout 
        the electoral process and to contribute to the success of this 
        process by serving as monitors during the August 21, 1994, 
        presidential and congressional elections;
            (5) welcomes the opportunity made available by the Mexican 
        Congress for international visitors to be present during and to 
        witness such elections; and
            (6) expresses the hope that the efforts of the Government 
        of Mexico, the major political parties, and concerned members 
        of civic society to reform the electoral process will be 
        successful, and lead to elections that are accepted by all 
        parties as fair and valid.

            Passed the House of Representatives August 8, 1994.

            Attest:

                                           DONNALD K. ANDERSON,

                                                                 Clerk.