[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E42-E43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REGARDING THE ELECTIONS HELD IN GUYANA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 1998

  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the people of the 
Republic of Guyana for holding multiparty elections on December 15, 
1997. By most accounts, based on the observations of international 
organizations on the day of the elections, the process was free and 
fair.
  I congratulate the Guyanese people for their strong belief in the 
democratic process as shown by an 88 percent voter turnout.
  I regret that factions in the country called for civil disobedience 
and that there was mass looting and rioting for many days following the 
elections.
  I encourage an audit of the elections by the Caribbean Community, 
(CARICOM) and call on all parties and opposition leaders to respect the 
outcome of the audit as the final decision and make a vow to peace and 
stability in Guyana.
  I call on the newly elected President Janet Jagan, a native of 
Chicago, to respect the rule of law and human rights in this fledgling 
democracy.

[[Page E43]]



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