[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 21, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1899]]



                   REPUBLIC OF GABON DELEGATION VISIT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 21, 1999

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to say that during the week of July 
12 through 16, the Congress was privileged to have a delegation from 
the National Assembly of the Republic of Gabon visit with members of 
both the House and Senate. The delegation was headed by President Guy 
Nzouba-Ndama and included members of the opposition party. It was the 
hope of this delegation that this visit would strengthen their 
understanding of democracy and political leadership in the U.S. and 
strengthen ties between their National Assembly and our Congress. It is 
by coincidence that the delegation was here in Washington during our 
consideration of the Africa Trade Bill. As many members suggested 
during the debate on this legislation, it's time that we take another 
look at our policies toward Africa.
  The Republic of Gabon is a good example of the changes occurring 
across Africa. The Republic of Gabon achieved its independence in 1960 
and became a democratic republic with three branches of government; the 
executive, legislative, and judicial branches. President Omar Bongo 
became the leader of Gabon following the death of President Leon Mba, 
Gabon's first president, in 1963 and has served as President since that 
time. After the 1993 election, political parties supporting the 
President and the major opposition parties negotiated the ``Paris 
Accords'' in October 1994. These agreements included reforms to amend 
electoral procedures, inclusion of opposition leaders in government, 
and assurances of greater respect for human rights. In July 1995, the 
Paris Accords were approved by a national referendum. President Bongo 
was reelected to a seven-year term in December of 1998.
  The National Assembly of Gabon is composed of 120 members and is 
elected by direct popular vote to serve a five-year term. The first 
multiparty elections were held in 1991 and the former ruling party, the 
Gabonese Democratic Party (GDP), retained a large majority in the 
National Assembly. In the 1996 elections, the PDG secured 100 of the 
120 seats. The Senate's 91 members were last elected in 1997.
  The Gabonese government and its leadership have taken important 
strides in implementing a populist democracy. Gabon is also fortunate 
to have a high level of prosperity and is developing an expanded middle 
class. President Bongo, with the assistance and cooperation of 
legislative leaders, is taking strides to increase economic opportunity 
for the Gabonese people by privatizing state-owned industries and 
improving the countries infrastructure.
  We support the efforts the Gabonese government and its leadership has 
undertaken to increase their knowledge of the democratic process as 
practiced in the United States. We also encourage the Gabonese 
political leadership to continue its positive strides and understand 
that true democracy does not occur overnight. We also understand that 
an expanded middle class and economic development are important 
elements of a vibrant democracy. I look forward to building and 
expanding our nation's ties to Gabon. We should do everything in our 
power to ensure this nation's continued growth.

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