[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H5515-H5517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER RECENT EVENTS IN SIERRA LEONE IN WAKE OF RECENT 
                          MILITARY COUP D'ETAT

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 99) expressing concern over recent 
events in the Republic of Sierra Leone in the wake of the recent 
military coup d'etat of that country's first democratically elected 
president.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 99

       Whereas for the first time in almost 30 years, the Republic 
     of Sierra Leone held their first truly democratic multiparty 
     elections to elect a president and parliament and put an end 
     to military rule;
       Whereas the elections held on February 26, 1996, and the 
     subsequent runoff election held on March 15, 1996, were 
     deemed by international and domestic observers to be free and 
     fair and legitimate expressions of the will of the people of 
     the Republic of Sierra Leone;
       Whereas on May 25, 1997, a military coup d'etat against the 
     democratically elected Government of the Republic of Sierra 
     Leone, including President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, took place;
       Whereas the coup d'etat, led by Major Johnny Paul Koroma 
     and the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) on May 25, 1997, 
     signifies a giant step backward for freedom and democracy in 
     the Republic of Sierra Leone;
       Whereas there has been fighting, killing, looting and a 
     disruption of relief supplies in the Republic of Sierra Leone 
     since the coup d'etat; and
       Whereas the best solution to this crisis would be a 
     peaceful solution: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) condemns the leaders and members of the rebellious 
     Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) for ousting the 
     democratically elected Government of the Republic of Sierra 
     Leone, including President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah;
       (2) urges an immediate end to all violence in the Republic 
     of Sierra Leone;
       (3) encourages the members of the AFRC to negotiate a hand-
     over of power back to the democratically elected Government 
     of the Republic of Sierra Leone in order to restore order and 
     democracy in the country;
       (4) encourages all citizens of the Republic of Sierra Leone 
     to work together to bring about a peaceful solution to the 
     current conflict;
       (5) reaffirms the United States support of the 
     democratically elected Government of the Republic of Sierra 
     Leone led by President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah;
       (6) urges the members of the AFRC and all armed elements 
     involved in the conflict to ensure the protection and safety 
     of international aid agencies and personnel serving in the 
     country, and allow them unobstructed access to affected areas 
     to deliver emergency humanitarian relief to people in need; 
     and
       (7) commends the Organization of African Unity for calling 
     on all African countries, and the international community at 
     large, to refrain from recognizing the new regime or lending 
     support in any form whatsoever to the perpetrators of the 
     coup d'etat, the AFRC.


[[Page H5516]]


  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York [Mr. Gilman] and the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Luther] will 
each control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman].
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us expresses the grave 
concerns of the Congress over the recent coup in Sierra Leone. This 
resolution was introduced by the gentleman from New York [Mr. Houghton] 
and the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings], who have followed the 
crisis in Sierra Leone very closely over the years.
  Like the Republic of Congo which we considered earlier, Sierra Leone 
has had a period of hope dashed by renewed violence and chaos. Last 
year democratic elections were held, bringing to a close years of 
instability and fighting between the government and rebel forces. 
Regrettably, the peace did not hold, and a combination of government 
forces and rebel soldiers overthrew the elected government of President 
Kabbah.
  Mr. Speaker, the situation in Sierra Leone is so desperate that the 
best hope for the restoration of democratic rule lies with the hundreds 
of Nigerian troops who have blockaded the capital and are supporting 
the reinstatement of Kabbah's administration. Mr. Speaker, this 
resolution will put the Congress firmly on the side of democracy in 
Sierra Leone, and accordingly, I urge the House to adopt this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of the resolution, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. 
Menendez], the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa.
  (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of House 
Concurrent Resolution 99, which condemns the recent military coup 
d'etat in Sierra Leone staged by Johnny Paul Koromah and the Armed 
Forces Ruling Council. I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from 
New York [Mr. Houghton], for introducing the resolution, which passed 
both our Subcommittee on Africa and the Committee on International 
Relations unanimously.
  In 1996 Sierra Leone held free, fair, and democratic elections. Those 
elections and the people's choice of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah to 
lead Sierra Leone were not dissolved by the coup d'etat. They cannot be 
erased or suspended by undemocratic or violate means.
  While the coup is certainly disturbing, as we continue to see some of 
these actions in other places, I think what is encouraging is that many 
African nations and the Organization of African Unity were swift in 
their condemnation and asking that governments refrain from recognizing 
or supporting the new regime.
  With this resolution, the United States Congress joins the chorus of 
voices which have spoken out against the coup, and calls upon Mr. 
Koromah and the AFRC to return power to the true and democratically-
elected government, the government that was chosen by the people of 
Sierra Leone.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Houghton], the sponsor of this resolution, 
who is a member of our Committee on International Relations.
  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to be able to speak on 
behalf of House Concurrent Resolution 99.
  I also would like to, before I begin my brief remarks, thank very 
much the original cosponsors, the gentleman from Florida, [Mr. Alcee 
Hastings], and the gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. Tony Hall], and also I 
want to thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, the gentleman 
from California, [Mr. Ed Royce] and the entire membership of that 
committee; also the former head of that committee, the gentlewoman from 
Florida, [Ms. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen], and our chairman, the gentleman 
from New York, [Mr. Ben Gilman].
  Mr. Speaker, this is a sad resolution in a way because it was barely 
a year ago that we stood here and talked about the great strides toward 
a free and democratic government which the people of Sierra Leone had 
made. This really was the first time in over 30 years that they had had 
any elections. But now the whole world has changed, and they have been 
taken over by a band of thugs. It is sad. It happened this year on May 
25.
  What we are trying to do is to sponsor a resolution which really 
signifies not only to the people of Sierra Leone but the other nations 
around the world who believe in the great strides they have made prior 
to May, that it is important to end violence, to restore the 
democratically-elected government led by President Kabbah, and also 
make sure the protection and safety of international aid workers are 
ensured.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me, and I thank 
the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from New York [Mr. 
Gilman], and members on the other side. I want to also put in a special 
word of appreciation to Ambassador John Hirsch and Ambassador George 
Moose.
  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Florida, [Mr. Alcee Hastings], who is an original 
cosponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate 
myself with the remarks of the gentleman from New York [Mr. Houghton], 
which I find very poignant. In addition thereto, I appreciate him so 
very much for originally being a cosponsor of this effort. Assuredly, I 
thank the chair of the Committee on International Relations, the 
gentleman from New York, [Mr. Ben Gilman], the subcommittee chair, the 
gentleman from California, [Mr. Ed Royce], and the ranking member, the 
gentleman from New Jersey, [Mr. Robert Menendez], who have produced not 
only in this instance but in several a plethora of activity dealing 
with the continent of Africa in a very positive way.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express my continued support for this 
resolution that was offered by the gentleman from New York [Mr. 
Houghton] and myself to condemn the coup d'etat in Sierra Leone. We 
certainly must stop the violence in Sierra Leone now.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for this necessary and timely 
legislation which, first, condemns the Armed Forces Ruling Council 
members for ousting the democratically-elected government of the 
Republic of Sierra Leone, and second, orders an immediate cessation to 
the violence in this nation, and encourages the AFRC to negotiate a 
return to power of the elected leadership.
  The military coup led by Johnny Paul Koromah in Sierra Leone on May 
25, 1997, was a savage assault on an emerging democracy in this African 
nation. Just 15 months prior to the coup democratic elections were held 
and President Kabbah was chosen to lead his country into a new era, one 
which promised liberty and constitutional order for Sierra Leonians.
  International election observers were there and the citizenry 
declared this election to be free and fair. The people of Sierra Leone 
signified their determination to vote, even if it cost them their 
lives, and they were successful. But this country's march towards 
democratic government was suddenly stopped by those who wanted to end 
its forward strides by undertaking violence. With their coup came chaos 
marked by fighting, and killing, and looting.
  We must speak out forcefully with one voice against the travesty and 
tragedy being played out in Sierra Leone. If we do not, we are 
sanctioning the blatant robbery of the freedoms of the people of Sierra 
Leone.
  This legislation is especially timely. In response to events in 
Sierra Leone, ECOMOG has imposed an air, land, and sea blockade in 
response to an ECOWAS decision to impose economic sanctions on this 
military junta.

                              {time}  1600

  These interventions have given way to negotiations. According to the 
Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington,

[[Page H5517]]

negotiations between four foreign ministers of ECOWAS and 
representatives of the AFRC are now taking place in Abidjan, Cote 
d'Ivoire. A strong message by the U.S. Congress at this point then 
could be helpful in restoring power to the democratically elected 
government. I urge adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 99.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Royce], the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee 
on Africa.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  I want to commend the gentleman from New York [Mr. Houghton] and also 
the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings], coauthors of this 
resolution, as well as members of the Subcommittee on Africa for their 
support. They unanimously endorsed this resolution.
  When democratic government was restored through elections in Sierra 
Leone last year, as the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings] reminded 
us, it was counted as a great achievement for the people of west 
African nations. This country had suffered two coups and 4 years of 
military rule. It was the scene of a ferocious civil war as we have 
heard today. The military tried its best to extend its rule, but the 
people were so eager for democracy that they demanded that elections be 
delayed no longer, despite threats of reprisal. I remember the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings] telling me that some had their 
hands cut off in reprisal for casting ballots by rebels trying to 
frustrate a democratic transition in this country. Yet, they had the 
bravery to go to the polls and cast those votes.
  Imagine now how the citizens of Sierra Leone must feel when on May 24 
a group of military officers staged another coup. That coup, of course, 
sent the President into exile. Since then, this group of thugs in 
uniform have looted the country, virtually holding the nation hostage 
to their shifting demands.
  The long-suffering citizens of Sierra Leone have responded by 
resisting the coup leaders. They have staged strikes. Labor unions, 
professional associations, and civic groups have opposed the coup. The 
Kabbah government is broadcasting to the nation on a secret transmitter 
to bolster the people's resolve to resist this illegal power grab.
  There is a positive trend in Africa today toward political and 
economic reform. The transition in Sierra Leone often was cited as part 
of that positive trend. Their very worthy efforts are made meaningless 
if we accept the undoing of reform in a nation in which the people have 
supported the democratic process. In many cases they supported it with 
their lives.
  Let us join the Organization of African Unity in supporting a west 
African diplomatic and military initiative to free Sierra Leone from 
its unelected leaders. I urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arkansas [Mr. Snyder], an outstanding new Member of Congress.
  Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Speaker, Sierra Leone is a small country. My guess is 
that many Members of Congress and many folks in America would not be 
able to find it on a map. I can say that, being from Arkansas, I know 
that many people cannot find Arkansas on a map. And it was my pleasure 
to have lived and worked at a mission hospital in Sierra Leone for 6 
months a number of years ago.
  At that time it was a dictatorship. It was corrupt. We would actually 
have to bribe the postman to get the mail. Life expectancy was 42 years 
old. As one of those folks who had lived there, like many Members here 
would have been overseas, one follows a country closely after that.
  I was very excited a year ago when these elections occurred. I have 
been in that town of Bo where those people had their hands cut off 
trying to vote. We went there in search of the elusive American 
cheeseburger when we were trying to find recreation. I know how much 
that democracy would have meant to those people. It is a terrible 
tragedy what happened during those elections, but it shows democracy 
does not come cheap in certain parts of the world. Some of us who have 
worked in Africa, and I have been there a couple of times to work, were 
concerned that perhaps with the end of the cold war that we would 
ignore Africa with our trade policy, with our failure to support an 
adequate foreign operations budget for Africa, with our failure to 
support an adequate military to military relationship with Africa, 
student exchanges. That is our responsibility, to do what we can to 
nourish democracy. But the responsibility for this coup is those folks 
in Sierra Leone that did this bloody and brutal act. It is wrong. This 
body knows who is responsible for it. I commend the folks that put this 
resolution together and ask every Member to support it.
  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I merely want to conclude by commending the gentleman 
from New York [Mr. Houghton], also the gentleman from Florida [Mr. 
Hastings] for their sponsorship of the resolution. I certainly want to 
commend the gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. Snyder] for bringing his 
personal experiences to bear on this particular issue. I think it is 
just outstanding for him to provide us with that kind of insight on 
this issue.
  The Congress by this resolution should send a clear message that this 
coup against the democratically elected President must not stand and 
that the United States will work with the international community to 
restore the legitimate democratic government in Sierra Leone to power. 
This resolution supports that policy and I am pleased that the 
President of the United States supports this resolution. I urge its 
adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore [Mr. Snowbarger]. The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House 
Concurrent Resolution 99.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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