[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 373 Introduced in House (IH)]
105th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 373
Commending democracy in Botswana.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 26, 1998
Mr. Royce (for himself, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Payne, and Mr. Menendez)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on International Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Commending democracy in Botswana.
Whereas Sir Ketumile Masire has been involved in politics in his country since
he co-founded the Bechuanaland Democratic Party (later the Botswana
Democratic Party) with Seretse Khama in 1962;
Whereas Sir Ketumile Masire was elected to Botswana's first Parliament in 1965,
later became Vice President under President Seretse Khama, and succeeded
President Khama as President upon his death in 1980;
Whereas under President Masire's administration Botswana has maintained a
successful multiparty constitutional democracy with regular free and
fair elections;
Whereas President Masire plans to retire from the presidency on March 31, 1998;
Whereas the Government of Botswana has worked constructively with the
Organization of African Unity, the Southern African Development
Community, and other organizations to promote democracy in Africa;
Whereas Botswana is a long standing friend of the United States and was selected
as the site of a major Voice of America radio relay station because of
its stability; and
Whereas President Clinton plans to enhance United States relations with Botswana
through an upcoming official visit to Botswana: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the people of Botswana for their commitment to
democracy;
(2) commends Sir Ketumile Masire for his long and
distinguished service to his country and the cause of democracy
in Africa;
(3) calls on President Masire's successor to pursue the
course set by President Masire by maintaining a democratic
Botswana;
(4) calls on the Government of Botswana to continue playing
a positive role in African and world affairs; and
(5) encourages the Government of Botswana to continue
promoting peace, democracy, respect for human rights, and
economic reform in Africa.
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