[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 164 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING GRAVE CONCERN REGARDING ARMED CONFLICT IN NORTH CAUCASUS 
                      REGION OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. 
Res. 206. This resolution expresses the sense of the Congress urging 
all parties involved in the conflict, to cease the indiscriminate use 
of force against civilian population in Chechnya. In addition this 
measure calls on all sides in this conflict to enter into a 
constructive dialogue under the auspicious of the Organization for 
Security and Cooperation in Europe. This group was successful in 
brokering a settlement to end the 1994-1996 war.
  Yes, Mr. Speaker, this region as once before experienced the horrors 
of war. As the 1994-1996 Russo-Chechen war resulted in the massive use 
of force against civilians, causing immense human casualties, human 
rights violations, large-scale displacement of individuals, and the 
destruction of property. In recent months this conflict has been 
renewed as forces in Chechnya have mounted armed incursions into the 
Russian Federation of Dagestan and have committed bombing in Moscow.
  Mr. Speaker, this Congress must insist that all parties in this 
conflict resolve this situation peacefully, with complete respect to 
the human rights of all the citizens of the Russian Federation. We must 
also insist that all parties commit themselves to allowing humanitarian 
assistance to the victims caught in the middle of this conflict.
  I urge my colleagues to lend their support and the considerable 
weight of this body on all sides involved in this conflict.

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