[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PROGRESS IN THE GAMBIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EARL F. HILLIARD

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 1999

  Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my satisfaction with the 
course of certain events relating to The Gambia, in West Africa. Some 
of our colleagues may, or may not, be aware that due to the tireless 
efforts of President Yahya Jammeh, The Gambia continues to play a 
pivotal role in peacemaking and peacekeeping. Specifically, The Gambia 
has participated in peace efforts in three regions of conflict of West 
Africa--Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and the Casamance region of 
Senegal.
  During the 21st summit of the sixteen-member Economic Community of 
West African States (ECOWAS), hosted by The Gambia in October 1998, 
President Jammeh was successful in bringing the two protagonists in the 
Guinea-Bissau conflict to the negotiating table for their first face-
to-face meeting since fighting erupted earlier that year. Although the 
peace accord, which was signed by Guinea-Bissau President Joao Bernard 
Vierira and rebel leader Ansumane Mane was subsequently broken, 
President Jammeh continued to work toward a peaceful resolution of the 
conflict. For his efforts, President Jammeh was congratulated by other 
heads of state for being the first leader in the sub-region to send a 
delegation in search of a peace resolution to the crisis.
  Similarly, in the conflict in Sierra Leone between President Kabbah 
and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), led by Foday Sankoh, Gambian 
President Jammeh was the first leader to make an international offer to 
mediate, and urge for peace in the country, as well as the entire sub-
region. In June 1999, Banjul was again the scene of peace negotiations 
when the Senegalese government and separatist rebels from the Casamance 
province accepted President Jammeh's offer to facilitate peace in the 
troubled province.
  Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has offered all possible assistance in 
order to facilitate the permanent return of peace to the West African 
region. On the occasion of President Jammeh's first visit to the United 
States as a head of state, I would like my colleagues to join me in 
honoring and commending President Jammeh for his commitment to peace 
and unity in West Africa.

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