[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 17 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PEACE PROCESS IN GUATEMALA

                                 ______


                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 24, 1994

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to be joined by a 
bipartisan group of Members in introducing a concurrent resolution in 
support of the Guatemalan peace process and greater protection of human 
rights in Guatemala.
  The resolution focusses on several human rights cases and problems 
that have been documented by the State Department, the Organization of 
American States, and the United Nations. It expresses the sense of 
Congress that all but humanitarian and development assistance to 
Guatemala should be conditioned on substantive improvement in the 
protection of human rights and the strengthening of civil sectors, as 
well as the continuation of the peace process.
  The resolution specifically calls on President Clinton to condition 
such assistance on verifiable resolution of the murder cases of 
American Michael Devine and renowned Guatemalan anthropologist Myrna 
Mack and the kidnapping, rape, and torture of American nun Dianna Ortiz 
and on the dissolution of the civil defense patrols.
  The resolution also commends Guatemalan President De Leon Carpio and 
the leaders of the URNG guerrillas for the resumption of peace talks, 
under the mediation of the United Nations, intended to bring a 
negotiated end to more than 30 years of armed conflict by the end of 
this year. Furthermore, the resolution calls on President De Leon 
Carpio to develop and implement a course of action that will bring 
Guatemala's human rights record up to internationally recognized 
standards.
  This resolution will be helpful in supporting the peace process in 
Guatemala. It sends a message to those who would oppose peaceful 
resolution of the conflict and the establishment of more democratic 
political processes: Congress is determined to support a negotiated 
solution to Central America's last remaining civil war and to support 
the development of a system of justice which will put an end to the 
intolerable human rights conditions which spawned it.

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