[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11452-S11453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 285--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT ALL 
 NECESSARY STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN 
                        GABON ARE FREE AND FAIR

  Mr. LUGAR submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                              S. Res. 285

       Whereas Gabon is a heavily forested and oil-rich country on 
     central Africa's west coast;
       Whereas Gabon gained independence from France in 1960;
       Whereas Gabon is scheduled to hold national elections in 
     December 1998 for the purpose of electing a President;
       Whereas the Government of Gabon has been subject to single-
     party rule for a significant period of its recent history and 
     only 1 person has held the office of the President since 
     1967;
       Whereas the Freedom House Survey of World Freedom, 1997-
     1998, determined that ``Gabon's citizens have never been able 
     to exercise their constitutional right to change their 
     government democratically'';
       Whereas the International Foundation for Election Systems 
     (IFES) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) served as 
     observers during the organization of the 1993 Presidential 
     and legislative elections in Garbon and found widespread 
     electoral irregularities;
       Whereas the Government of Gabon is a signatory to the 
     ``Paris Accords'' of 1994, approved by national referendum in 
     July 1995, which were to have provided for a State of law 
     guaranteeing basic individual freedoms and the organization 
     of free and fair elections under a new independent national 
     election commission;
       Whereas the people of Gabon have demonstrated their support 
     for the democratic process through the formation of numerous 
     political parties since 1990 and their strong participation 
     in prior elections; and
       Whereas it is in the interest of the United States to 
     promote political and economic freedom in Africa and 
     throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes and commends those Gabonese who have 
     demonstrated their love for free and fair elections;
       (2) commends the Gabonese Government for inviting the 
     International Foundation for Election Systems to perform a 
     pre-election assessment study;
       (3) calls on the Gabonese Government--
       (A) to take measures to help ensure a credible election and 
     to ensure that the election commission remains independent 
     and impartial; and
       (B) to invite the International Foundation for Election 
     Systems, the National Democratic Institute, the International 
     Republic Institute, and other appropriate international non-
     governmental organizations to aid the organization of, and 
     supervise the December 1998 Presidential election in Gabon, 
     in an effort to ensure that these elections in Gabon are free 
     and fair;
       (4) urges the Government of Gabon to take all necessary and 
     lawful steps toward conducting free and fair elections;
       (5) calls on the international community to join the United 
     States in offering their assistance toward free and fair 
     elections;
       (6) urges the United States Government to provide support 
     directly and through appropriate non-governmental 
     organizations to aid the organization of free and fair 
     elections in Gabon;
       (7) calls on the United States Government to work with the 
     international community in urging the Government of Gabon to 
     create the conditions necessary to guarantee free and fair 
     elections; and
       (8) urges the United States Government and the 
     international community to continue to encourage the 
     Government of Gabon to ensure a lasting and committed 
     transition to democracy.

 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I submit a resolution calling for 
free and transparent presidential elections in the African country of 
Gabon. A similar measure was introduced in the House of 
Representatives, and I applaud the work of those Members of the House 
who are bringing attention to democratic development in this democracy.
  This resolution expresses support for the promotion of transparent 
elections at a crucial time in Gabon's political development. Although 
ostensibly a democracy since 1961, Gabon has been ruled by the same 
individual--Omar Bongo--since 1967. In 1968, President Bongo declared 
Gabon a one-party state and has since then won four consecutive 
presidential elections.
  A political easing in 1990 led to the strengthening of individual 
rights and the establishment of multi-party elections. However, there 
have been reports that disorganization and a lack of transparency 
marred President Bongo's most recent election in December 1993.

[[Page S11453]]

According to the Freedom House Survey of the World Freedom, Bongo was 
declared the winner before many voters were counted and after a 
campaign that included extensive use of state resources and state 
media. Further, widespread irregularities were reported by the 
International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) and the National 
Democratic Institute (NDI), which served as observers during the 
Gabonese presidential and legislative elections in 1993.
  The electoral victory by President Bongo led to several months of 
civil unrest and violent repression. Some observers in Gabon believe 
more civil unrest will occur if the presidential elections this 
December are considered illegitimate. A free and fair electoral system 
would further democracy and stability in Gabon and set an example for 
other African nations.
  Mr. President, this resolution calls on the Gabonese government to 
take measures to help ensure credible presidential elections. The 
measure calls on the government to invite IFES, the NDI, the 
International Republican Institute (IRI), the Center for Democracy or 
other appropriate non-governmental organizations to aid or observe the 
December 1998 Gabonese presidential elections.
  The resolution also urges the United States and the international 
community to offer assistance for fair elections in Gabon and to 
encourage movement toward a stable democracy.
  Gabon is at a turning point. It enjoys a per capita income of $4,700, 
a high literacy rate (69 percent), and a billion dollar oil industry. 
The United States Senate would be aiding Gabon in the establishment of 
a stronger democracy that can help bring stability to a volatile region 
of Africa.
  I urge my colleagues to consider the benefits of free and fair 
elections in Gabon and to support this resolution.

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