[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.
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