[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1406-E1407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 SUPPORT FOR BENIN'S PEACE INITIATIVES

                                 ______


                       HON. ROBERT G. TORRICELLI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 1995
  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my support for 
the initiatives of the Government of Benin in its efforts to facilitate 
peace in West Africa and the world.
  The President of the Republic of Benin, Nicephore Soglo, as two-time 
head--1992 and 

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1993--of the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS], has 
led the search for peace throughout Liberia's difficult reconciliation 
process. President Soglo's administration has hosted several 
reconciliation conferences and efforts for peace in the region. As 
noted, he was elected twice to head ECOWAS, because the heads of state 
were looking for one of their peers who would be totally neutral vis-a-
vis all the factions involved in the Liberian crisis.
  Although a small nation of approximately 5 million people, Benin made 
a courageous offer to welcome Haitian refugees during the crisis of 
1994. Moreover, Benin's government sent a police force of 30 to 50 
persons to participate under the umbrella of the group for the 
restoration of democracy in Haiti. Benin was the only African country 
that agreed to do so.
  Other examples of peace initiatives in West Africa include Benin's 
dialogue with its neighbors Niger and Togo. With Niger, Benin has 
established a joint border demarcation commission to resolve the 
dispute over the island of Lete on the Niger river. Relations with Togo 
were strengthened by a recent visit from Togolese Prime Minister Edem 
Kodjo. Regional stability will stimulate substantially more trade with 
and among the states of West Africa.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States Government has strengthened ties with 
the Republic of Benin since it has become a model for democratization 
in Africa. Let us not forget that Benin was the first one-party Marxist 
State in Africa to achieve a successful transition to democracy, marked 
by the free and fair Presidential election of 1991. Benin is now using 
its international credibility and stature to facilitate peace in West 
Africa and the world.


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