[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 157 (Sunday, November 9, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H10539-H10540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENSE OF HOUSE IN SUPPORT OF FREE AND FAIR REFERENDUM ON SELF-
               DETERMINATION FOR PEOPLE OF WESTERN SAHARA

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 245) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives in support of a free and fair referendum on self-
determination for the people of Western Sahara, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 245

       Whereas United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan 
     appointed former United States Secretary of State James Baker 
     III as his Personal Envoy for Western Sahara to end the 
     prevailing referendum stalemate;
       Whereas talks between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Front 
     for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro (also 
     known as the Polisario Front) mediated by Mr. Baker have 
     achieved agreement on ways to end the referendum stalemate;
       Whereas the end of the stalemate over the Western Sahara 
     referendum would allow for the release of civilian political 
     prisoners and prisoners of war held by Morocco and the 
     Polisario Front; and
       Whereas the United States supports the holding of a free, 
     fair, and transparent referendum on self-determination for 
     the people of Western Sahara: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its full support to former United States 
     Secretary of State James Baker III in his mission as Personal 
     Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for the Western 
     Sahara;
       (2) expresses its support for a referendum on self-
     determination for the people of Western Sahara that should 
     meet the following criteria:
       (A) free, fair, and transparent and held in the presence of 
     international and domestic observers and international media 
     without administrative or military pressure or interference;
       (B) only genuine Sahrawis, as identified in the method 
     agreed to by both sides, will take part in the referendum 
     voting; and
       (C) the result, once certified by the United Nations, is 
     accepted by both sides;
       (3) encourages the release of civilian political prisoners 
     and prisoners of war held by Morocco and the Polisario Front 
     at the earliest possible date; and
       (4) requests the administration to fully support former 
     United States Secretary of State James Baker III in his 
     mission of organizing a free, fair, and transparent 
     referendum on self-determination for the people of Western 
     Sahara without military or administrative constraints.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Royce] and the gentleman from California [Mr. Menendez] 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr. Royce].


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This resolution expresses the support of the House of Representatives 
for the so-far successful negotiations between the Kingdom of Morocco 
and the Polisario Front, who have made the tough decision to peacefully 
work out their differences on the conduct of a referendum on self-
determination for Western Sahara. The negotiations have been guided by 
former Secretary of State James Baker, now serving as the Special Envoy 
of the U.N. Secretary General for Western Sahara.
  Secretary Baker's diplomacy have broken a 6-year stalemate on 
referendum negotiations. While no date has been set for balloting, we 
appear to be closer to fair and free referendum for Western Sahara than 
at any time in the last two decades. This conflict, which has often 
seemed intractable, has not received the attention it deserves. This is 
now changing with Secretary Baker's engagement, as well as with the 
attention that Congress is now paying to this issue.
  This resolution not only praises the efforts of Secretary Baker but 
it puts the House on record as supporting a free, fair, and transparent 
referendum. At this sensitive point in the process, such a nonpartisan 
expression of support is valuable. Mr. Baker said in a Washington news 
conference last week that this resolution provides a much needed boost 
to a referendum process he referred to as the ``last opportunity for 
peace'' in Western Sahara.
  Years of fighting between Morocco, the Polisario Front, and 
Mauritania have claimed thousands of lives and created hundreds of 
thousands of refugees. The equitable ending of this conflict is 
important to the United States. Morocco is a longstanding American 
ally, and continued turmoil in the region is contrary to United States 
interests.
  The breakthrough achieved by Secretary Baker is important. That is 
why we need to take proper notice of it. It is time to show all parties 
that the United States is watching and cares. I urge my colleagues to 
support this balanced resolution as a sign of congressional support for 
the significant advance that has taken place toward resolving this 
longstanding conflict.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House 
Resolution 245, expressing the sense of the House in support of a free 
and fair referendum on self-determination for the people of Western 
Sahara.
  Mr. Speaker, I think we owe a great deal of gratitude to former 
Secretary of State James Baker for his service as Special Envoy. 
Clearly, it was his intervention which brought an end to the referendum 
impasse and which has allowed for an opportunity for peace in the 
region.
  For too long, the situation in the Western Sahara has been left 
unresolved, and for too long it has caused tension in the region and 
within the African continent. It is crucial at this juncture that the 
U.S. Government and the Congress put their weight behind the plan 
negotiated by former Secretary Baker. There is only a small window of 
opportunity to implement the agreement, which itself remains quite 
fragile. If we bypass this opportunity by our inattention or if we 
allow either side to renege on the commitments made in Houston, we will 
be responsible for foregoing an opportunity for long-term peace in the 
region. That is not a cost we can afford, and it is a small price to 
pay for peace and democracy.
  The Houston plan has at long last found a resolution which is 
acceptable to both the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front. The 
referendum, which will be held next December, will grant the Sahrawi 
people their long-awaited right to self-determination, the same right 
enjoyed by free people throughout the world.
  Sahrawi President Abdelaziz has given his word that he will stand by 
and respect the people's decision regardless of the outcome as long as 
the referendum is free and fair and allows only Sahrawis to vote. The 
Sahrawi people have been left in limbo due to political considerations 
rather than any really legal dispute.
  In 1975, the International Court of Justice declared that there is no 
establishment of any legal ties of territorial sovereignty between the 
territory of Western Sahara and the Kingdom of Morocco. Now the Sahrawi 
people will have the opportunity to decide for themselves their 
political future, be it independence or incorporation into Morocco. It 
is their choice.
  I want to thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Royce] for his 
leadership in bringing the resolution before the House and for 
sponsoring it. I am proud to be an original cosponsor. And I also want 
to again congratulate former Secretary Baker for his tremendous 
efforts. He has been and we expect will continue to be crucial to the 
success of this ultimate endeavor.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  2045

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York [Mr. Gilman], the distinguished chairman of the Committee on 
International Relations.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)

[[Page H10540]]

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished gentleman 
from California [Mr. Royce], the chairman of our Subcommittee on 
Africa, for introducing this resolution and for his outstanding 
leadership on this very difficult issue. The purpose of this resolution 
is to highlight the significant efforts of former Secretary of State 
James Baker in advancing a peaceful solution to the question of Western 
Sahara. Due to the leadership by the gentleman from California [Mr. 
Royce], this resolution has moved forward in a consensus manner. We 
have worked closely with both sides on the Western Sahara question and 
with Secretary Baker and all parties find that the resolution is 
agreeable.
  Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge our Members to support this 
excellent resolution.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Payne], a member of the Subcommittee on 
Africa.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me first commend the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Royce], the chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, and 
the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Menendez], the ranking member, for 
the outstanding work that they have done on this resolution. The 
Western Sahara has been a point of contention for some time now. The 
final outcome for this former Spanish colony will be historic and a 
momentous occasion. It will set a precedent for many other issues of 
self-determination throughout the world, such as Cyprus and Northern 
Ireland. This is a major accomplishment. We should commend the former 
Secretary of State James Baker, the Polisario Front and representatives 
of Morocco for coming to the table to decide on a referendum on the 
future of this disputed territory. The referendum originally scheduled 
for January 1992 is to decide whether Western Sahara should be 
incorporated into Morocco or become an independent nation as many of 
the Sahrawi people have fought for for many years. I am glad to see the 
culmination of the identification process which first started in 1984. 
I also want to congratulate the Secretary-General of the United Nations 
Kofi Annan for his role in urging negotiations in this region. Let me 
say that I think that now the playing field has been leveled, where all 
will have access to the media, to the press, and that international 
observers will be able to participate in the proceedings. All of these 
very important issues have been worked out. This is a step in the right 
direction.
  As we see democracy spreading throughout the continent of Africa, 
where only a few countries are left in dispute at this time, I think 
that it is good to see another nation coming to the front where the 
question which has long besieged them and has been a problem may be 
finally worked out. Once again I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In 
closing, let me commend the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Menendez], 
the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa, who has worked with 
us on this resolution. We have worked together on several measures 
throughout the year. I would also like to commend Special Envoy James 
Baker for his work. Morocco is a longtime ally and the United States 
has been improving relations with Algeria, which supports the Polisario 
Front.
  The issue of self-determination for Western Sahara poses a danger of 
instability for the northwest African region. The issue must be 
resolved so that the likelihood of long-term problems there is 
diminished. Peace in Western Sahara will allow for economic development 
and democratization in the region and could be a beneficial example for 
other nations in North Africa and the Middle East. That is the purpose 
of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to adopt the 
resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Lazio of New York). The question is on 
the motion offered by the gentleman from California [Mr. Royce] that 
the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, House 
Resolution 245, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________