[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 30, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S7944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT HAITI SHOULD 
        CONDUCT FREE, FAIR, TRANSPARENT, AND PEACEFUL ELECTIONS

  Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Biden, and Mr. 
Lugar) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 130

       Expressing the sense of the Senate that Haiti should 
     conduct free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections.
       Whereas Rene Preval was elected president of Haiti on 
     December 17, 1995, and inaugurated on February 7, 1996;
       Whereas a political impasse between President Preval and 
     the Haitian Parliament over the past 2 years has stalled 
     democratic development and contributed to the Haitian 
     people's political disillusionment;
       Whereas Haiti's economic development is stagnant, living 
     conditions are deplorable, and democratic institutions have 
     yet to become effective;
       Whereas Haiti's political leaders propose free, fair, and 
     transparent elections for local and national legislative 
     bodies; and
       Whereas Haiti's new independent Provisional Electoral 
     Council has scheduled those elections for November and 
     December 1999: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the provisional Electoral Council of Haiti for 
     its decision to hold elections for 19 senate seats, providing 
     for a transparent resolution of the disputed 1997 elections;
       (2) urges the Government of Haiti to actively engage in 
     dialogue with all elements of Haitian society to further a 
     self-sustainable democracy;
       (3) encourages the Government and all political parties in 
     Haiti to proceed toward conducting free, fair, transparent, 
     and peaceful elections as scheduled, in the presence of 
     domestic and international observers, without pressure or 
     interference;
       (4) urges the Clinton Administration and the international 
     community to continue to play a positive role in Haiti's 
     economic and political development;
       (5) urges the United Nations to provide appropriate 
     technical support for the elections and to maximize the use 
     of United Nations civilian police monitors of the CIVPOL 
     mission during the election period;
       (6) encourages the Clinton Administration and the 
     international community to provide all appropriate assistance 
     for the coming elections;
       (7) encourages the Government of Haiti to adopt adequate 
     security measures in preparation for the proposed elections;
       (8) urges all elements of Haitian civil society, including 
     the political leaders of Haiti, to publicly renounce violence 
     and promote a climate of security; and
       (9) urges the United States and other members of the 
     international community to continue support toward a lasting 
     and committed transition to democracy in Haiti.

                          ____________________