[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 141 (Monday, October 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          THE INTRODUCTION OF H. RES. 561, ON NORTHERN IRELAND

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 3, 1994

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today on behalf of Mr. Neal and 
myself to introduce a resolution on the current peace process in 
Northern Ireland.
  Mr. Neal, our distinguished colleague from Massachusetts, is to be 
complimented for his leadership and concern for peace and justice in 
Northern Ireland. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of this 
measure before us, that reflects those deeply held concerns.
  The recent developments on possible lasting peace and justice in that 
long troubled region, are very encouraging. The resolution before us 
recognizes that new reality. It contains several excellent 
recommendations on what more needs to be done to foster lasting peace.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support this timely resolution 
when it comes to the floor before we adjourn. It is essential that the 
United States continue to play a role in the search for peace. The 
resolution lays out some important and timely contributions which we, 
and the administration can, and must do to help foster lasting peace.
  I ask that the following text of the resolution be printed in its 
entirety at this point in the Record:

                              H. Res. 561

       Whereas Northern Ireland has for many years been driven by 
     violence;
       Whereas this cycle of violence and death has embittered and 
     further separated the people of both great traditions on the 
     island of Ireland, so that reconciliation between them has 
     been made more difficult;
       Whereas the Irish and British Governments have made joint 
     efforts pursuant to the Anglo Irish Agreement of 1985 and 3-
     stranded talks between and among the constitutional parties 
     of the north and the 2 governments to find political 
     solutions to this situation that would win the support of the 
     majority of the people of Ireland, North and South;
       Whereas the 2 governments have made further efforts in the 
     Downing Street Declaration of 1993 to establish principles 
     under which such a political settlement could be negotiated 
     among all the parties in Northern Ireland that renounce the 
     use of violence;
       Whereas, after a period of internal debate and 
     consideration, the Irish Republican Army announced on August 
     31, 1994, a complete cessation of military operations and 
     declared its willingness to participate in political talks 
     with other parties in Northern Ireland and the 2 governments;
       Whereas the Irish Republican Army has kept its pledge to 
     end military operations since that time;
       Whereas other loyalist and nationalist paramilitary 
     organizations have not declared their intention to end the 
     use of military operations and have in fact continued 
     attacks;
       Whereas the policy of the United States has consistently 
     supported the end of military operations and provided strong 
     diplomatic and material support for peace and reconciliation 
     throughout the island of Ireland, and particularly through 
     annual appropriations to the International Fund for Ireland;
       Whereas the Congress of the United States has played a role 
     of support for this Fund and for the efforts of the 2 
     governments and of courageous leaders of nonviolence from 
     both traditions in Northern Ireland such as John Hume, whose 
     inspiration and dogged determination helped convince the 
     Irish Republican Army to lay down its arms;
       Whereas the announcement of the Irish Republican Army 
     ceasefire and the determination of the 2 governments to offer 
     a framework for comprehensive political dialogue between 
     all the political parties in Northern Ireland now offer a 
     historic climate for genuine peace and reconciliation in 
     all of Ireland; and
       Whereas the International Fund for Ireland and the Overseas 
     Private Investment Corporation at this critical moment can 
     play a key role in building a public-private partnership in 
     support of the peace process in Northern Ireland, such as 
     through an Overseas Private Investment Corporation equity 
     fund for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the British and Irish Governments for the 
     steps they have taken and are taking to encourage and 
     facilitate all-party talks leading to a lasting political 
     settlement acceptable to, and ratified by, the people of 
     Ireland, north and south;
       (2) urges the 2 governments to include all parties that 
     renounce violence into such talks as soon as possible;
       (3) hails the complete and permanent cessation of Irish 
     Republican Army military operations as an essential step to 
     such a settlement;
       (4) calls upon all other paramilitary organizations in 
     Northern Ireland similarly to cease the employment of 
     violence;
       (5) expresses strong support for United States economic 
     development programs such as the International Fund for 
     Ireland and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation that 
     can contribute to a climate of economic development in which 
     peace, reconciliation, and justice become achievable goals 
     for all in Northern Ireland; and
       (6) urges the President to take appropriate steps to 
     support the peace process in Northern Ireland through such 
     programs.

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