[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1251-E1252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER RECENT EVENTS IN SIERRA 
   LEONE IN THE WAKE OF THE RECENT MILITARY COUP D'ETAT OUSTING THAT 
            COUNTRY'S FIRST DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 1997

  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my Africa 
subcommittee colleagues in introducing this resolution, expressing the 
United States concern for the plight of Sierra Leone's people in the 
face of the May 25, 1997, coup that ousted the country's democratically 
elected government. A year ago, I stood with my good friend Congressman 
Houghton to congratulate the people of Sierra Leone on holding 
elections that we all prayed would consolidate the peace and usher in a 
new era of stability, economic progress, and human and social 
development for the war torn country.
  Sadly, we now come together to deplore the coup of May 25, 1997 and 
express the United States' contempt for the actions of those who would 
subvert Sierra Leone's fragile recovery from years of bloody civil 
conflict, and plunge the country back into chaos, suffering, and ruin. 
In introducing this resolution, we add our voices to those of the 
Organization of African Unity, the United Nations Security Council, and 
the European Union in strongly urging Major Johnny Paul Koroma and his 
supporters to step down and peacefully restore power to the 
democratically elected government of President Kabbah.
  The ties between Sierra Leone and Ohio's third district go way back. 
Nearly 100 years ago, Daytonians were among the first missionaries to 
Sierra Leone, and today our district is enriched by a small but vibrant 
community of Sierra Leonean immigrants. A Dayton company, Nord 
Resources, has long operated the Sierra Rutile mine, which is the 
nation's largest private employer, taxpayer, and foreign exchange 
earner. Prior to the coup, the company was in the final stages of re-
opening the mine site, with the assistance of a laboriously negotiated 
loan package. The coup effectively suspended the Sierra Rutile project, 
jeopardizing 2,000 badly needed jobs for Sierra Leoneans, along with 
the prospects for the country's overall economic recovery.
  For the sake of Sierra Leone's people and the country's future, it is 
my fervent hope that

[[Page E1252]]

the political crisis will be swiftly and peacefully resolved, the 
popularly elected government reinstated, and humanitarian needs of 
vulnerable groups met. Sierra Leone's people have suffered immeasurable 
through years of civil strife, and the United States also has moral 
obligation to help prevent an escalation of the current situation into 
a humanitarian crisis of even graver proportions. To this end, it is 
essential that the United States remain engaged in Sierra Leone, and 
continue to bring a full range of diplomatic resources to bear on a 
peaceful resolution of the current crisis, in coordination with the OAU 
and the international community as a whole. The future stability of the 
sub-region as a whole is at stake, since political and humanitarian 
problems in Sierra Leone spill over into Liberia and other neighboring 
countries.
  Finally, our special recognition and gratitude should go to the many 
brave Americans and Sierra Leoneons whose heroic efforts made possible 
the safe evacuation of 2,509 people, 500 of the Americans, who were 
caught in the crossfire in the harrowing days following the May 25 
coup. Their courageousness and exemplary performance in preparing and 
executing the dramatic rescue operation was nothing short of 
miraculous. Special mention should go to Ms. Ann Wright, the Charge 
D'Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown at the time of the coup. At 
serious risk to her own life, Ms. Wright helped negotiate a cease-fire 
between rebel forces and Nigerian ECOMOG troops, and secure assurances 
that civilians would not be fired upon during the evacuation. She 
worked with the U.S. Marines landing team to organize the safe and 
orderly transfer of civilians from Freetown to the U.S. carrier 
Kearsarge stationed 12 miles off the coast. Many others deserve credit, 
but special thanks goes to Kearsarge officers Captain Ertel and Captain 
Wittkamp, and the 22 U.S. Marines led by Lt. Col. Sam Helland for their 
exemplary courage, efficiency, and professionalism in carrying out the 
evacuation.

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