[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONTINUE ISOLATING MOBUTU

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 11, 1995

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I recently engaged in an exchange of 
letters with the State Department concerning the need for the United 
States to maintain its policy of diplomatic isolation against Africa's 
longest reigning and most corrupt dictator, President Mobutu Sese Seko 
of Zaire.

         House of Representatives, Committee on International 
           Relations,
                                  Washington, DC, August 17, 1995.
     Hon. Warren Christopher,
     Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Secretary: It has come to my attention that the 
     Administration may seek the assistance of President Mobutu of 
     Zaire in providing Zairean troops to address security 
     concerns along Zaire's borders with Rwanda and Burundi. I 
     oppose such a move.
       I agree with you concerning the seriousness of the security 
     situation in Eastern Zaire and its connection to the 
     incipient civil war in Burundi and the threat of renewed 
     civil war in Rwanda. I also understand that the international 
     community has made a commitment to the Government of Rwanda 
     to address the security issue. I support that commitment.
       But I do not believe that engaging the assistance of 
     President Mobutu is a constructive way to address the 
     security issue, for two reasons.
       First, on a practical level, this step is more likely to 
     exacerbate the security situation than improve it. Zairean 
     forces in the border regions have been smuggling arms and 
     providing resources and protection to the ex-Armed Forces of 
     Rwanda. The population in Eastern Zaire is sympathetic to the 
     Hutu cause. It is doubtful that Mobutu has the capacity to 
     improve security in Eastern Zaire.
       Second, seeking Mobutu's support sends exactly the wrong 
     message to Zaire. Mobutu will use this appeal to claim 
     legitimacy. For many years, during the Cold War, Mobutu posed 
     as a ``friend of the West'' in order to gain Western 
     acquiescence and support for his corrupt regime in Zaire. I 
     fear that the proposed initiative will reinvigorate this 
     charade. The outcome will be that Mobutu will be less likely 
     to work with Prime Minister Kengo and the various opposition 
     forces in facilitating a democratic transition in Zaire.
       Mobutu's exit from the political scene is necessary to 
     resolve Zaire's political crisis. To that end, I continue to 
     support a policy of isolating Mobutu and denying him a 
     legitimate role in international affairs. For these reasons, 
     I do not believe the United States should have any role in 
     seeking his help to address the deteriorating security 
     situation in Eastern Zaire and along Zaire's border with 
     Rwanda and Burundi.
       I look forward to your reply.
       With best wishes,
           Sincerely,
                                                  Lee H. Hamilton,
     Ranking Democratic Member.
                                                                    ____



                                     U.S. Department of State,

                               Washington, DC, September 25, 1995.
     Hon. Lee H. Hamilton,
     House of Representatives.
       Dear Mr. Hamilton: I am responding to your letter of August 
     17 to the Secretary recording your opposition to seeking 
     President Mobutu's assistance in providing Zairian troops to 
     address security concerns along Zaire's borders with Rwanda 
     and Burundi. We have no intention of conferring 
     ``legitimacy'' on President Mobutu. We agree that this would 
     seriously weaken our policy to support the transition to 
     democracy in Zaire.
       Contrary to recent press reports, the U.S. has not 
     approached Mobutu for assistance with the refugee crisis and 
     security in eastern Zaire. Our contacts were exclusively 
     within cabinet ministries, particularly the prime Ministry 
     and Foreign Ministry. It is correct that the United States, 
     acting with its Troika partners (France and Belgium), has in 
     the past not excluded outright any possibility of 
     conversation with President Mobutu. You may recall, however, 
     that Mobutu refused to receive the Troika representatives 
     when its members wished to present a joint demarche regarding 
     obstacles to the transition to democracy in April.
       Regarding your concerns that Zairian forces are unlikely to 
     improve the security situation in eastern Zaire, UNHCR notes 
     that the elite Zairian security contingent operating in the 
     camps under its auspices has performed professionally and had 
     a demonstrably positive effect on camp security, to the 
     pleasant surprise of many observers of the region. We agree, 
     however, with your concern about indiscipline among Zairian 
     forces generally, which is exacerbated when their salaries 
     are not paid. (UNHCR pays the salaries of the troops seconded 
     to its camps.) The performance of the non-UNHCR Zairian 
     troops during the recent (now-suspended) forced repatriation 
     was certainly of concern.
       More generally, we would note that the focus of our Zaire 
     policy remains support for the democratic transition and 
     efforts toward economic reform. We continue to view Mobutu as 
     the principal obstacle to democratic and economic reform in 
     Zaire. The presidential proclamation barring those who 
     obstruct democracy in Zaire from entering the U.S. would 
     continue to apply to Mobutu should he request a visa. In this 
     connection, however, we must take into account our 
     obligations as host country to the United Nations. If Mobutu 
     wishes to attend the 50th anniversary ceremonies this fall 
     (as we expect he will), he would be permitted to come to the 
     United States for that purpose.
       We appreciate your interest in Zaire policy, and hope that 
     this information will be helpful to you. Please do not 
     hesitate to contact us if you have further questions or 
     concerns.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Wendy R. Sherman,
     Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs.

                          ____________________