[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H10882-H10884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONDEMNING MILITARY INTERVENTION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF 
                 ANGOLA INTO THE REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 273) condemning the military intervention by the 
Government of the Republic of Angola into the Republic of the Congo, 
and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 273

       Whereas President Pascal Lissouba defeated former President 
     Denis Sassou-Nguesso in a 1992 election in the Republic of 
     the Congo that was determined to be free and fair;
       Whereas in October 1997 troops of the Government of the 
     Republic of Angola assisted in the capture of Pointe Noire, a 
     city in the southern part of the Republic of the Congo;
       Whereas the Government of Angola sent more than 1,000 
     troops into the Republic of the Congo from neighboring 
     Cabinda, including a MiG-23 fighter and ground attack 
     squadrons;
       Whereas the Government of Angola provided military supplies 
     and support to former President Denis Sassou-Nguesso to 
     assist his efforts to unseat the democratically-elected 
     President Pascal Lissouba;
       Whereas the Lusaka Protocol of 1994 requires that the 
     Government of Angola inform the United Nations Observer 
     Mission in Angola (MONUA) of any troop movements;
       Whereas the actions by Angola are a violation of Article 2 
     of the United Nations Charter which forbids member states 
     from ``the threat or use of force against the territorial 
     integrity or political independence of any state'';
       Whereas the actions by Angola are a violation of Article 
     III of the Organization of African Unity Charter which 
     mandates ``Respect for the sovereignty and territorial 
     integrity of each State'';
       Whereas the United Nations Security Council has imposed 
     travel and other sanctions on the National Union for the 
     Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) for making insufficient 
     progress in its commitments under the Lusaka Protocol, 
     including demobilization of UNITA soldiers, the forfeiture of 
     weapons to the United Nations, and the extension of state 
     administration to regions under UNITA control;
       Whereas this action by the United Nations Security Council 
     comes shortly after the Government of Angola participated in 
     the overthrow of a democratically elected government in the 
     Republic of the Congo; and
       Whereas the United Nations Security Council has failed to 
     condemn this action by the Government of Angola: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns the military intervention by the Government of 
     the Republic of Angola into the Republic of the Congo;
       (2) calls on the Government of Angola to immediately 
     withdraw all military troops, supplies, and other assistance 
     from the Republic of the Congo;
       (3) encourages the United States Government to condemn the 
     military intervention by the Government of Angola into the 
     Republic of the Congo and its violation of the Lusaka 
     Protocol, the United Nations Charter, and the Organization of 
     African Unity Charter;
       (4) urges the United States Government to withhold any 
     military training and assistance to Angola until it ceases 
     all military activities in the Republic of the Congo;
       (5) expresses concern that the United States Government has 
     sought to strengthen military ties with the Government of 
     Angola in advance of the full implementation of the Lusaka 
     Protocol and the creation of a meaningful role for former 
     members of the National Union for the Total Independence of 
     Angola (UNITA) in the Angolan military; and
       (6) urges both the Government of Angola and UNITA to 
     continue their commitments to the Lusaka Protocol and Angolan 
     peace process despite the imposition of sanctions on UNITA by 
     United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1127 (1997) and 
     1135 (1997).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Royce] and the gentleman from New Jersey [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 resolution.
  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.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution concerns the troubling situation that is 
made worse by Angola's armed intervention in the civil war in Congo, 
Brazzaville. The introduction of Angolan troops, armor, and aircraft 
tipped the balance of that civil war in favor of former President 
Dennis Sassou-Nguesso, who was inaugurated recently, despite having 
received no popular mandate for his return as President.
  The Angolan intervention has resulted in the overthrow of the 
Government of President Pascal Lissouba, who was elected in that 
country's first multi-party election in 1992. Despite the end of the 
fighting, Congo-Brazzaville is no more stable today because of the 
Angolan intervention, and, indeed, it may be facing more turmoil in the 
coming weeks because of the imposition of an unpopular dictator who was 
overwhelmingly voted out of office 5 years ago.
  Certainly the Angolan soldiers made life more difficult for the Congo 
by pounding Pointe Noire with heavy artillery for days, and then 
looting that city. These are not the actions of genuine liberators. The 
Angolan intervention in Congo Brazzaville following the Angolan 
intervention in what was then Zaire has led many observers to wonder if 
we are now in a newer era on the continent in which borders and 
democratic elections are meaningless.
  The rationale by the Angolan government that Angolan forces operating 
in Congo Brazzaville posed a threat to their country does not justify 
its violation of international conventions, as cited in this 
resolution. President Lissouba testified last week before the Committee 
on International Relations that any UNITA presence in his country posed 
no danger whatsoever to Angola's sovereignty. However, this 
intervention likely will harm the peace process in Angola itself by 
further hardening relations between the Angolan government and UNITA.
  Angolan government spokesmen talked of forcefully seizing territory 
that is supposed to be turned over by UNITA. Although the United 
Nations placed sanctions on UNITA, the U.N. acknowledged that extension 
of territorial administration has been moving forward over the last few 
months.
  I support the resolution of the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. 
Menendez] as a timely and necessary response to this situation. I 
understand the Angolan government has announced its intention to 
withdraw its forces from Congo by November 15. This resolution lets 
that government know we expect them to fulfill that commitment.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, last month Mr. Sassou-Nguesso was sworn in as the 
President of the Republic of Congo after seizing power from the 
democratically elected government with the help of the Angolan 
military, and with virtually no opposition from the international 
community.
  When President Lissouba testified before the Committee on 
International Relations last week, he made it very clear that the 
Angolan intervention was a decisive factor in the deposing of his 
government.
  This resolution addresses three important issues: First, the Angolan 
government military's incursion into the Republic of Congo to help 
unseat the democratically elected government of Pascal Lissouba; 
second, the lackadaisical response from the international community, 
including the the United States government, to Angola's actions and the 
overthrow of the Congolese government; and third, the imposition of 
sanctions upon UNITA by the U.N. Security Council, without regard or 
mention of the Angolan government's violations of the Lusaka Protocol.
  Unlike the situation in the former Zaire, where now President Kabila 
unseated longtime dictator Mbutu, Angola has helped to unseat a 
democratically elected President in the Republic

[[Page H10883]]

of Congo. The United States' response has been woefully inadequate. The 
United States should be calling for the restoration of the 
democratically-elected government of Pascal Lissouba, but instead it is 
pursuing a policy of working with former dictator Nguesso as if he had 
a legitimate mandate from the Congolese people.
  On October 30, the United States agreed to support the imposition of 
sanctions on UNITA for failure to comply with its obligations under the 
Lusaka Protocol. This decision was made despite the fact that UNITA has 
made significant progress in moving towards many of the benchmarks 
established by earlier Security Council resolutions.
  But even more disconcerting is the fact that the decision was made 
despite the fact that the government of Angola violated the Lusaka 
Protocol, that is, invading the Congolese, not to mention the United 
Nations and Organization of African Unity charters, by overthrowing the 
freely-elected government of the Congo.
  Moreover, during the month of October the government took several 
provocative military actions against UNITA, also in violation of the 
Lusaka Protocol, failed to honor a commitment to meet with Dr. Savimbi, 
and snubbed Ambassador Richardson on his visit to Angola, the purpose 
of which was to move the peace process forward.
  It is disingenuous to sanction UNITA for noncompliance when the 
government itself has violated the Lusaka Protocol. I believe the 
United States needs to send a strong message to Angola by withholding 
further IMET assistance until Angola has fully withdrawn all troops and 
military assistance from the Republic of Congo.
  We should also give serious consideration to whether or not it is 
appropriate to be extending military assistance and forging military-
to-military contacts with a country which is engaged in cross-border 
military incursions. I seriously question if it is a responsible policy 
to be providing Angola with such assistance in advance of the full 
implementation of the Lusaka Protocol and creation of a meaningful role 
for former UNITA members in the Angola military.
  Finally, we are at a critical juncture in the Angolan peace process. 
The Angolan government's actions in the Republic of Congo and the U.N. 
Security Council's imposition of sanctions are likely to hinder rather 
than advance the timetable for peace in Angola. We hope that that in 
fact does not end up being the case, but we are seriously considering 
it.
  I want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee for calling my 
resolution forward, which I believe is very timely. I want to thank my 
cosponsors.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. 
Hastings].
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Menendez] 
for bringing this resolution forward. I also commend the gentleman from 
New York, Chairman Gilman, and the gentleman from California, Mr. 
Royce, the chair of the subcommittee on Africa, for their work on the 
bill.
  We have before us a meaningful and balanced resolution. The national 
community must forcefully speak against the overthrow of a 
democratically-elected President, especially when an outside power 
intervenes in a critical way. The Congress in this action goes on 
record as condemning Angola's intervention in the Republic of the 
Congo. Angola's actions could set a dangerous precedent in a volatile 
area, and the Congress here is working to avoid this kind of precedent.
  The resolution also urges both sides in Angola to implement their 
commitments to the peace process. I would urge, and I believe the 
gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton] would, as well, adoption of the 
resolution. I thank again the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Menendez] 
and the gentleman from California [Mr. Royce] and the gentleman from 
New York [Mr. Gilman], and the gentleman from California and the 
gentleman from New Jersey especially, since we traveled to this area 
and we all recognize its volatility, and the likelihood that unless 
stability is brought there, that it will cause a continuing explosion 
in that area of the world.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  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.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee on 
Africa, the distinguished gentleman from California [Mr. Royce] for his 
leadership in bringing this resolution before us, as well as the 
distinguished gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Menendez], who is our 
ranking member on the subcommittee of Africa, for introducing this 
important resolution.
  This resolution condemns the actions by the government of Angola that 
contribute to the overthrow of a democratically-elected government and 
its neighbor, the Republic of the Congo. Our committee recently took 
testimony from President Pascal Lissouba of the Republic of Congo, who 
was ousted from his Nation last month by the Armed Forces of Angola, 
working in conjunction with Congolese rebel forces. President Lissouba 
was democratically elected by the Congolese people in 1992.
  It must be made clear that the Angolan government, they must refrain 
from intervening in the affairs of their neighbors, and continue to 
honor their commitments to the Lusaka protocol, which governs Angola's 
internal peace process. There are reasons to begin to suspect that 
Angola may become a rogue state, showing no restraints in its efforts 
to undermine its neighbors.
  With the imposition of sanctions on UNITA by the U.N. Security 
Council, tensions in Angola right now are as high as they have been in 
the last 3 years, since the signing of the Lusaka protocol. It is 
imperative, therefore, that the Congress remind both sides that a 
return to war is unacceptable. Renewed hostilities would only result in 
the collapse of the peace process and the total isolation of the 
offending party. This resolution sends that kind of a message.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to fully support the resolution.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my colleague, the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Shaw].
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to say to my colleagues, within the last 
year I was in the Republic of the Congo. I went deep into the Ndoki 
forest, and saw what was going on; spent almost a full day with 
President Lissouba and got to know him, and know of the concern, the 
deep concern he had for his people and his country.
  Sure, it is a fragile democracy. It was the only democracy that the 
Republic of the Congo has ever known. For it to be struck down in such 
a brutal way by not only the rebel forces from within the Republic of 
the Congo, but from the intervention from Angola, is inexcusable.
  I think when we talk about what is our interest in that part of the 
world, we have to ask ourselves certain questions. Sure, there is oil 
there that is of great value and should be conserved. We would like for 
our American oil producers to have equal access to it. But there is 
much more than that.
  In the Ndoki forest, traveling hours in dugout canoes, and going back 
and hiking hours through the swamp, and sleeping on the ground, we were 
able to actually see for the first time the silver-backed gorillas that 
are coming closer and closer to extinction. On the way we were able to 
see the results of what happens in clear-cutting the rain forest, which 
is going to have a lot to do with world climate.
  We talked to President Lissouba and know of his concern, his 
cooperation with USAID and other organizations that are trying to 
conserve the forest, trying to conserve the rain forest elephant and 
the silver-backed gorilla, together with other endangered species.
  If we care about this earth that we live in, if we care about the 
freedom of individuals, if we care about democracy, we must turn our 
attention to the struggling democracies in Africa, and ask ourselves 
exactly what course this Congress should take, what actions should the 
United States take,

[[Page H10884]]

what should our relations be with nations that would destroy cities 
such as the leveling of Brazzaville, and actually the illegal conduct 
of Angola and what it has been doing.

                              {time}  1530

  I want to compliment the gentleman from California [Mr. Menendez] for 
bringing this to the floor and the gentleman from California [Mr. 
Royce] for his good leadership in this regard. And I urge a yes vote on 
this important resolution.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
New Jersey [Mr. Payne] on a related matter, since he was unavoidably 
detained on the Kenya resolution, but has just come back from a trip to 
the whole area as one of our outstanding members in the Subcommittee on 
Africa.
  (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me, first of all, commend the gentleman 
from New Jersey [Mr. Menendez], the ranking member of the Subcommittee 
on Africa, for the outstanding work that he has done at the 
Subcommittee on Africa. I would like to stand here in support of the 
previous Concurrent Resolution 130, as has been indicated regarding 
Kenya.
  As has been mentioned, I visited Kenya on a brief trip from July 4 to 
July 6. When I went there, it was to evaluate the situation there and 
to listen to what was going on. My mission had two principal 
objectives: First, to urge the President to meet with opposition and 
religious leaders to discuss opposition demands for constitutional 
reforms; and, second, encourage the government to create a level 
playing field for the upcoming election. I also delivered a letter from 
President Clinton.
  Kenya is one of the most important countries in Africa, and I think 
today for many reasons we are seeing Kenya's unwavering commitment and 
leadership of IGAD. Starting on October 28 in Nairobi, President Moi, 
as chairman of IGAD, was instrumental in getting the SPLA and the 
National Islamic Front, NIF, to agree on a joint communique. Nelson 
Mandela concluded that Inter-Governmental Authority on Development 
remained the best forum, and President Moi was working hard to try to 
get those two groups together.
  After much prodding, after the World Bank and the IMF suspended its 
loan program and the subsequent fall of the Kenya shilling, I suppose 
that Mr. Moi had no other option but to meet with the opposition party 
members in the Inter-Parties Parliamentary Group, IPPG. In all 
fairness, though, President Moi stated that the opposition was divided 
and fractionalized, and I think that was one of his reasons for 
ambiguity on the reform package that he presented.
  I do not think that the people of Kenya can survive any more 
uprisings and civil unrest like they had in 1995 and Saba Saba in July 
of this year, when 10 people were killed.
  I also had an opportunity to meet with President Moi again last month 
on a Presidential mission with Ambassador Richardson. Let me say that 
President Moi has truly been responsive to the calls for reform. He is 
the promoter of a bill amending the Constitution. It sailed through its 
third reading in the Parliament on November 4. Shouts of triumph filled 
the chamber as members of different parties celebrated the bill's 
passage.
  The political and constitutional reforms of November 7 that Mr. Moi 
signed into law will make Kenya a multiparty democracy and will allow 
residents greater freedom of speech. The reforms repeal laws 
restricting freedom of speech and assembly, give greater representation 
on the Electoral Commission to opposition parties, and establish a 
multipartisan commission to review the Constitution after general 
elections.
  I do feel that President Moi should allow all political parties to 
become a part of the elections. There is still one party that has not 
been registered. I think that should be done. And, also, I think we 
need to take a look at the fact that there has been abolition of the 
Parliament. But I understand that, according to the procedures, that 
this happens right before elections.
  So I would just like to once again thank the gentleman from Florida 
[Mr. Hastings] for this resolution. I support it, and I hope that Kenya 
can get on the right track of its election, have them fair and 
transparent so that that country that was great in the past can move 
forward in the future for all the people of Kenya.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I ask that my colleagues support this resolution, which sends an 
important message to the region. In 2 days, Angolan troops are supposed 
to be withdrawn from Congo-Brazzaville, and at this point it is 
unlikely that they will complete their withdrawal on time. 
Nevertheless, this is a key deadline. My colleagues' support of this 
resolution today will confirm American determination that this deadline 
must be kept, absent some good reason why it cannot be kept.
  Since this is the last of 6 resolutions produced by the Subcommittee 
on Africa this session, let me take this opportunity to commend the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Menendez], the ranking minority member, 
and all my subcommittee colleagues on both sides of the aisle for a 
very cooperative working relationship this year, including the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings] and the gentleman from New Jersey 
[Mr. Payne], who have spoken on the last two resolutions. I look 
forward to a productive second session.
  MR. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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, H. Res. 273, 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.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Condemning 
the military intervention by the Government of the Republic of Angola 
into the Republic of the Congo, urging both the Government of Angola 
and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) to 
continue their commitments to the Lusaka Protocol and Angolan peace 
process despite the imposition of sanctions on UNITA by United Nations 
Security Council Resolutions 1127 (1997) and 1135 (1997), and for other 
purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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