[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H1192-H1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    COMMENDING DEMOCRACY IN BOTSWANA

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 373) commending democracy in Botswana.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 373

       Whereas Sir Ketumile Masire has been involved in politics 
     in his country since he co-founded the Bechuanaland 
     Democratic Party (later the Botswana Democratic Party) with 
     Seretse Khama in 1962;
       Whereas Sir Ketumile Masire was elected to Botswana's first 
     Parliament in 1965, later became Vice President under 
     President Seretse Khama, and succeeded President Khama as 
     President upon his death in 1980;
       Whereas under President Masire's administration Botswana 
     has maintained a successful multiparty constitutional 
     democracy with regular free and fair elections;
       Whereas President Masire plans to retire from the 
     presidency on March 31, 1998;
       Whereas the Government of Botswana has worked 
     constructively with the Organization of African Unity, the 
     Southern African Development Community, and other 
     organizations to promote democracy in Africa;
       Whereas Botswana is a long standing friend of the United 
     States and was selected as the site of a major Voice of 
     America radio relay station because of its stability; and
       Whereas President Clinton plans to enhance United States 
     relations with Botswana through an upcoming official visit to 
     Botswana: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the people of Botswana for their commitment to 
     democracy;
       (2) commends Sir Ketumile Masire for his long and 
     distinguished service to his country and the cause of 
     democracy in Africa;
       (3) calls on President Masire's successor to pursue the 
     course set by President Masire by maintaining a democratic 
     Botswana;
       (4) calls on the Government of Botswana to continue playing 
     a positive role in African and world affairs; and
       (5) encourages the Government of Botswana to continue 
     promoting peace, democracy, respect for human rights, and 
     economic reform in Africa.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).
  (Mr. ROYCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)


                             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 H. Res. 373.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the government of 
Botswana and the people of Botswana for their long-standing commitment 
to democracy. Since he took office in 1980, President Ketumile Masire 
has presided over a government that has honored the democratic process. 
His government has been a model of democratically-rooted stability and 
development for Africa, and it has been a model for the world.
  Botswana also is a long-standing friend of the United States and has 
played a constructive diplomatic role in Africa and in the world. Yet 
Botswana is a bit of a forgotten African country. This bill brings 
attention to Botswana by commending its people for their democratic 
commitment.
  After nearly 18 years in office, President Masire is stepping down 
within days of our action here today. The resolution commends him for 
his service to his country. All too often, we criticize African leaders 
for the things they do wrong, but we seldom take the opportunity to 
commend them for a job well done. This resolution offers us the chance 
to send such a positive message.
  Botswana has been at the vanguard of African democratic and economic 
reform. This southern African nation has been a model for its neighbors 
and in several forums has worked diligently to promote peace and 
cooperation. At this time of renaissance for Africa, it is altogether 
appropriate for us to acknowledge the positive role Botswana has made 
in Africa and on the world stage.
  The bill has bipartisan support, as demonstrated by its unanimous 
approval by the Committee on International Relations last week.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of the resolution.
  Botswana is a success story. It is one of Africa's oldest continuous 
democracies. It has been active in promoting regional integration in 
southern Africa. Its military has a very professional reputation; and 
Botswana has been active in social programs, including conservation 
efforts.
  Congress is going on record today in recognition of that success and 
commending President Masire for his leadership on the eve of his 
retirement. I hope this resolution will encourage Botswana to continue 
its democratic tradition and to continue its constructive foreign 
policies.
  I would like to urge my colleagues to join the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) and me in recognizing Botswana's success by 
voting yes on this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 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.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Royce), the distinguished chairman of our Subcommittee on Africa, and 
the cosponsors of this resolution, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Menendez), the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Africa, and the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Payne). This resolution passed our committee by a voice vote March 12.
  Botswana is highly deserving of the praise contained in this 
resolution. Its great progress on democracy and free-market economics 
since independence is a model for other nations in the region and 
elsewhere. I am pleased that President Clinton is going to be visiting 
Botswana later this month during his historic trip to Africa.
  Botswana's neighborhood is southern Africa, which today is an island 
of stability on the troubled continent of Africa. Peace has taken hold 
in Mozambique, apartheid has been vanquished in South Africa, and the 
senseless killing in Angola appears to be over.
  Even when this region was not so stable and when Botswana was 
surrounded by wars and oppressive regimes, Botswana managed to embrace 
the best of Western values and to provide its people with an 
increasingly higher standard of living. This is no small accomplishment 
in that part of the world.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support this worthy resolution.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), a member of the Committee on International 
Relations.

[[Page H1193]]

  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I do want to thank my colleague, the 
chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, for yielding me the time. I 
want to commend him and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) 
and all the cosponsors of this resolution.
  As the gentleman from California mentioned a few minutes ago, 
sometimes it appears we only bring resolutions which criticize other 
countries. Here is an example of a country which has moved in a very 
exemplary fashion in so many areas.
  Since its independence in September of 1996, Botswana has been a 
successful multiparty democracy. It has consistently scored high in 
human rights reports by the State Department. It has been a long-
standing ally of the United States, and it has consistently supported 
U.S. positions in international fora. Through increased adherence to 
free-market principles, Botswana has experienced remarkable economic 
growth, it has made U.S. economic assistance unnecessary, and it has 
done it in a part of a continent where that is not always the case.
  We often encourage African countries to spend money on social 
concerns such as education and health, and the President Masire 
government has done exactly that. Unlike so many other leaders in many 
countries and certainly in Africa, the President is stepping down 
voluntarily. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party offered him the 
chance to be exempt from new term limits on the presidency, but he 
refused. I think he is setting an outstanding example for the future in 
this multiparty democracy.
  It is entirely appropriate that we do commend Botswana for the very 
impressive progress they have made. I commend my colleague for bringing 
this to the attention of the House.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, President Clinton is scheduled to visit 
Botswana later this month. I am scheduled to accompany him on that 
trip. We have spoken with the administration about this resolution, and 
they strongly support this measure as a positive sign to our friends in 
Botswana.
  It would be my honor to present this resolution to President Masire 
on behalf of this House. I urge my colleagues to make this possible by 
approving this resolution today.
  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this Botswana 
resolution. President Clinton will be traveling to Botswana in March. 
He chose Botswana not only for the country's strong democratic values 
but the increase in economic growth. The economy is market oriented, 
with strong encouragement for private enterprise. The diamond revenues 
and solid economic and fiscal policies has resulted in improved growth. 
Per capita gross domestic product was approximately $2800 last year, 
and it is increasing at a robust annual rate of approximately 7 
percent. I understand that elections should take place soon and the 
Botswana Democratic Party leader, Mr. Masire, will be handing over the 
reins to his Vice President. Many years ago in Africa when a President 
took over, he was President for life. We have seen that in Malawi where 
life President Banda just recently after 30 years handed it over. This 
is a step really in the right direction.
  Let me say that I had the opportunity to participate in a forum to 
voice my concerns to the NSC and State Department before the President 
embarks upon his journey to Africa. One thing that came out of the 
dialogue is that women are a dominant and important part of the economy 
throughout Africa. Ghanian women account for almost 90 percent of the 
market economy. I know the government of Botswana is working to make 
improvements in this area. Two years ago I applauded the government for 
taking the initiative to formulate a long-term plan of action to 
implement the National Policy on Women specifically working on property 
rights.
  In conclusion, let me say that we should congratulate countries like 
Botswana and that they are eager to be in the first round of the Growth 
and Opportunity Act. As a matter of fact, for the last 4 or 5 years, 
Botswana has had a surplus of over a billion dollars each year which 
has been put aside into the coffers of that country. I would once again 
like to congratulate that outstanding country and look forward to 
visiting there with the President in the coming week.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time. I rise in strong support of the resolution. I want to commend the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the distinguished chairman of 
the Subcommittee on Africa, for offering this thoughtful and timely 
resolution. As a member of the subcommittee, I have had the pleasure of 
working closely with the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce). I think 
I speak for all the Members when I say we appreciate his able 
leadership. I also want to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Gilman), the chairman of the committee; the gentleman from New Jersey 
(Mr. Menendez), the ranking member of the subcommittee; and the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) for their work on this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, Botswana is one of the great success stories of sub-
Saharan Africa. As the President prepares to embark on his historic 
trip to that part of the world, it is fitting that we send along a 
message of commendation and encouragement to the government and the 
people of Botswana. Under the leadership of President Masire, Botswana 
has maintained a successful, multiparty constitutional democracy with 
free and fair elections. This resolution commends Mr. Masire on the 
occasion of his retirement and calls upon his political successors to 
continue promoting peace, democracy, respect for human rights and 
economic reform in Africa.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a well-crafted resolution that deserves the 
support of every Member of this body. I want to again commend the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) and the other Members that I 
referred to. I also want to commend the President on making this trip 
to Africa. I urge support for the resolution.
  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, House Resolution 373.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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