[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 112 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 112

  Condemning the most recent outbreak of violence in the Republic of 
 Congo and recognizing the threat such violence poses to the prospects 
      for a stable democratic form of government in that country.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 31, 1997

  Mr. Ashcroft (for himself and Mr. Feingold) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Condemning the most recent outbreak of violence in the Republic of 
 Congo and recognizing the threat such violence poses to the prospects 
      for a stable democratic form of government in that country.

Whereas the Republic of Congo began to take significant steps after 1989 to 
        implement a democratic form of government, including the convening of a 
        national conference in 1991 and the adoption of a multiparty 
        constitution in 1992;
Whereas the Republic of Congo held its first free and fair democratic elections 
        in 1992, in which Pascal Lissouba won the presidency with 61 percent of 
        the vote, defeating the former military ruler Denis Sassou-Nguesso in 
        the first round of voting and current Brazzaville Mayor Bernard Kolelas 
        in the second;
Whereas the Republic of Congo has endured violent threats to its nascent 
        democracy since 1993, including factional fighting between the country's 
        leading political figures which has taken thousands of lives;
Whereas fighting in the Republic of Congo is preventing the country from holding 
        its scheduled elections and has endangered the lives of its citizens and 
        foreign nationals residing in the country; and
Whereas the preservation of democracy in the Republic of Congo and the peaceful 
        transfer of power through national elections are critically important 
        for the future of freedom in the Republic of Congo and all of Central 
        Africa: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate of the United States--
            (1) condemns violent attempts to overthrow the freely 
        elected Government of the Republic of Congo and encourages all 
        parties involved in the conflict to reach a lasting cease-fire;
            (2) calls on all private militia to disband to end the 
        continuing threat to peace and stability in the Republic of 
        Congo;
            (3) reaffirms its support for constitutional government, 
        the rule of law, human rights, and democratic processes in the 
        Republic of Congo and calls upon regional African leaders to 
        support the preservation of a democratic political system in 
        the country;
            (4) declares that the removal of the democratically elected 
        Government of the Republic of Congo by other than democratic 
        means would severely restrict the bilateral relationship 
        between the United States and the Republic of Congo, including 
        the suspension of most bilateral assistance from the United 
        States to the Republic of Congo; and
            (5) encourages the United States Government to state 
        publicly its strong support for a democratic government in the 
        Republic of Congo and the peaceful transfer of power in that 
        country.
                                 <all>