[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 119 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


SENSE OF THE HOUSE DEPLORING TRAGIC AND SENSELESS MURDER OF BISHOP JUAN 
                              JOSE GERARDI

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 1998

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 421, a 
resolution deploring the murder of Guatemala Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi.
  In late July of this year, I joined my colleagues Representatives 
George Miller and Ciro Rodriguez on a three-day visit to Guatemala. The 
visit was organized by the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human 
Rights. Our goals were to encourage the Guatemalan government to carry 
out a thorough investigation of the April 26, 1998 murder of Bishop 
Juan Jose Gerardi; to provide visible support to the Archbishop's Human 
Rights Office and other human rights organizations in Guatemala; to 
encourage the United States government to play a more active role in 
supporting efforts to improve respect for human rights in Guatemala; 
and to demonstrate full support for the implementation of the peace 
accords which have brought an end to 36 years of civil war.
  Our delegation met with government officials, including Guatemala 
President Arzu, church leaders, and representatives of numerous 
community organizations. We paid special attention to the investigation 
of the tragic murder of Bishop Juan Gerardi. Because of Bishop 
Gerardi's invaluable work in defense of human rights and the fact that 
he was killed only days after the release of the report, ``Guatemala: 
Never Again,'' this crime necessarily has political connotations. If it 
is not resolved, it would be a devastating blow to the peace process 
and to domestic and international confidence in the implementation of 
these goals.
  We were encouraged to hear of the government's commitment to 
aggressively pursue all leads, motives and evidence related to the 
tragic murder of Bishop Gerardi. Since late July, we have learned that 
the prosecution has made an initial request for information about the 
military officers whose names were originally provided by the 
Archbishop's Human Rights Office. It is vitally important that the 
prosecution go forward with an exhaustive investigation of the leads 
suggesting military involvement, just as it has been fully exploring 
other possible leads. The expeditious and judicious resolution of the 
investigation into Bishop Gerardi's murder is critical for the 
continuation of support for the peace accords.
  Therefore, I rise in support of House Resolution 421, which calls for 
the Government of Guatemala to take all steps necessary to resolve the 
heinous murder of Bishop Gerardi; to continue its efforts to establish 
effective civilian law enforcement and judicial institutions; to make a 
renewed commitment to successfully implement the peace accords, 
especially those accords concerning human rights; and that the United 
States government provide all necessary support to the investigation of 
Bishop Gerardi's murder and to continue to support the full 
implementation of the peace accords.

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