[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 53 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H2428-H2432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SIERRA LEONE PEACE SUPPORT ACT OF 2000

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3879) to support the Government of the Republic of Sierra 
Leone in its peace-building efforts, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3879

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Sierra Leone Peace Support 
     Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Eight years of civil war and massive human rights 
     violations have created a humanitarian crisis in the Republic 
     of Sierra Leone, leaving over 50,000 dead and 1,000,000 
     displaced from their homes.
       (2) As many as 480,000 Sierra Leoneans have fled into 
     neighboring countries, especially Guinea.
       (3) All parties to the conflict have committed abuses, but 
     the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and its ally, the former 
     Sierra Leonean army (AFRC) are responsible for the 
     overwhelming majority.
       (4) The RUF and AFRC have systematically abducted, raped, 
     mutilated, killed, or forced children to fight alongside RUF 
     soldiers.
       (5) The RUF continues to hold hundreds and perhaps 
     thousands of prisoners, including many child soldiers, 
     despite the agreement of RUF leadership at Lome to release 
     all children.
       (6) The civil defense forces committed human rights 
     violations, including killings and recruitment of child 
     soldiers, and Economic Community of West African States 
     Military Observer Group (ECOMOG) forces have also committed 
     human rights abuses, including executions of captured 
     combatants and killings of civilians.
       (7) Neighboring countries, especially Liberia and Burkina 
     Faso, have contributed greatly to the destruction of Sierra 
     Leone by aiding and arming the RUF and providing sanctuary 
     for RUF fighters.
       (8) International humanitarian efforts to assist Sierra 
     Leoneans, both at home and in Guinea, have fallen far short 
     of need such that conditions in refugee camps and among 
     displaced persons camps are deplorable, food and medicine is 
     dangerously inadequate, and the refugee population on the 
     Sierra Leonean border continues to be preyed upon by RUF 
     insurgents and subjected to rape, mutilation, or killing.
       (9) Demobilization, demilitarization, and reintegration 
     (DDR) efforts, as called for in the Lome agreement of July 
     1999, have begun months late and are still at beginning 
     stages.
       (10) With the withdrawal of the West African peacekeeping 
     forces, the United Nations Security Council has approved the 
     deployment of 11,000 peacekeeping forces for Sierra Leone.
       (11) There are approximately 45,000 combatants, including 
     many child soldiers, in Sierra Leone who must be demobilized, 
     provided with alternate employment, and reintegrated into 
     their communities.
       (12) Both the Government of Sierra Leone and the RUF/AFRC 
     formally agreed in the Lome Convention of July 7, 1999, to 
     uphold, promote, and protect the human rights (including the 
     right to life and liberty, freedom from torture, the right to 
     a fair trial, freedom of conscience, expression, and 
     association, and the right to take part in the governance of 
     one's country) of every Sierra Leonean as well as the 
     enforcement of humanitarian law.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--The Congress urges the President to 
     vigorously promote efforts to end further degradation of 
     conditions in the Republic of Sierra Leone, to dramatically 
     increase United States assistance to demobilization, 
     demilitarization, and reintegration (DDR) efforts and 
     humanitarian initiatives, to assist in the collection of 
     documentation about human rights abuses by all parties, and 
     to engage in diplomatic initiatives aimed at consolidating 
     the peace and protecting human rights.

     SEC. 3. DEMOBILIZATION, DEMILITARIZATION, AND REINTEGRATION 
                   ASSISTANCE.

       (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     the President $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 for assistance 
     under chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
     1961 (22 U.S.C. 2221 et seq.) to the Sierra Leone DDR Trust 
     Fund of the International Bank for Reconstruction and 
     Development for demobilization, demilitarization, and 
     reintegration assistance in Sierra Leone. Assistance under 
     the preceding sentence may not be used to provide stipends to 
     ex-combatants of the civil war in the Republic of Sierra 
     Leone.
       (b) Additional Requirements.--Amounts appropriated pursuant 
     to subsection (a)--
       (1) are in addition to any other amounts available for the 
     purpose described in such subsection; and
       (2) are authorized to remain available until expended.

     SEC. 4. DEMOCRATIZATION, ELECTORAL, AND JUDICIAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Judicial Assistance.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated to the President $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 
     for assistance to rebuild and strengthen the capacity of the 
     judiciary in the Republic of Sierra Leone and to assist 
     efforts to establish the rule of law and maintain law and 
     order in Sierra Leone.
       (b) Expanded International Military Education and Training 
     Assistance.--Beginning 1 year after the conclusion of free 
     and fair elections in Sierra Leone, the President may provide 
     expanded international military education and training 
     assistance to the military forces and related civilian 
     personnel of Sierra Leone under section 541 of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2347) solely for the 
     purpose of providing training relating to defense management, 
     civil-military relations, law enforcement cooperation, and 
     military justice.
       (c) Additional Requirements.--Amounts appropriated pursuant 
     to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a)--
       (1) are in addition to any other amounts available for the 
     purposes described in such subsection; and
       (2) are authorized to remain available until expended.

     SEC. 5. ACCOUNTABILITY.

       (a) Statement of Congressional Concern About 
     Accountability.--It is the sense of the Congress that a 
     thorough and nonpartisan initiative to collect information on 
     human rights abuses by all parties to the conflict in the 
     Republic of Sierra Leone be undertaken. Comprehensive and 
     detailed information, particularly the identification of 
     specific units, individuals, and commanders found to have 
     been especially abusive, will be essential for vetting human 
     rights abusers from the newly formed armed forces and police 
     forces of Sierra Leone and for deterring abuses by all 
     parties in the future. Accordingly, the Congress calls upon 
     the administration to strongly support an independent process 
     of data collection on human rights abuses in Sierra Leone, 
     for use by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission when it 
     has been established, and to support any future initiatives 
     of international accountability for Sierra Leone.
       (b) Assistance for Truth and Reconciliation Commission.--
       (1) Assistance for establishment and support of 
     commission.--The President is authorized to provide 
     assistance for the establishment and support of a Truth and 
     Reconciliation Commission to establish accountability for 
     human rights abuses in the Republic of Sierra Leone.
       (2) Assistance for human rights data collection.--The 
     Secretary of State, acting through the Assistant Secretary of 
     the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, is 
     authorized to collect human rights data with respect to 
     Sierra Leone and assist the Truth and Reconciliation 
     Commission in carrying out its functions.
       (3) Authorization of appropriations.--
       (A) Establishment and support of commission.--There is 
     authorized to be appropriated to the President $1,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2001 for assistance under chapter 4 of part II of 
     the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to carry out paragraph 
     (1).
       (B) Human rights data collection.--There is authorized to 
     be appropriated to the Secretary of State $500,000 for fiscal 
     year 2001 to carry out paragraph (2). Amounts appropriated 
     pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under the 
     preceding sentence shall be deposited in the ``Human Rights 
     Fund'' of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor of 
     the Department of State.
       (C) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the 
     authorization of appropriations under subparagraphs (A) and 
     (B) are authorized to remain available until expended.

     SEC. 6. NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES OF SIERRA LEONE.

       (a) Reports to Congress.--
       (1) Arms flows.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act,

[[Page H2429]]

     the President shall transmit to the Committee on 
     International Relations of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report 
     which provides information, including measurable, credible, 
     and verifiable evidence (to the extent practicable), 
     concerning the extent to which neighboring countries of the 
     Republic of Sierra Leone are involved in arms flows into 
     Sierra Leone.
       (2) Sierra leonean minerals.--Not later than 6 months after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall 
     transmit to the Committee on International Relations of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations of the Senate a report which provides information, 
     including measurable, credible, and verifiable evidence (to 
     the extent practicable), concerning illicit sales of Sierra 
     Leonean gold and diamonds through neighboring countries of 
     the Republic of Sierra Leone.
       (b) Notification by Secretary of State.--If a report 
     transmitted by the President pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) 
     of subsection (a) contains measurable, credible, or 
     verifiable evidence that a country is involved in arms flows 
     into Sierra Leone, or that a country is involved in illicit 
     sales of Sierra Leonean gold or diamonds through that 
     country, then the Secretary of State--
       (1) shall take all necessary steps to initiate diplomatic 
     efforts to bring about the termination of such activities by 
     the country; and
       (2) if the country has not ceased the proscribed activity 
     within 3 months of the initiation of such diplomatic efforts, 
     shall inform the country of the possibility that United 
     States foreign assistance for the country may be terminated 
     or suspended if the country does not cease the proscribed 
     activity.
       (c) Assistance for Neighboring Countries.--United States 
     assistance may be provided to the central government of a 
     neighboring country of the Republic of Sierra Leone only if 
     such government--
       (1)(A) provides demonstrated support for the peace process 
     in the Republic of Sierra Leone in accordance with the Lome 
     Convention of July 7, 1999; and
       (B) does not provide training or other support for the RUF/
     AFRC forces or any other forces proscribed under the Lome 
     Convention; and
       (2) cooperates with efforts to monitor arms flows to Sierra 
     Leone.
       (3) United states assistance.--In this subsection, the term 
     ``United States assistance'' means assistance of any kind 
     which is provided by grant, sale, loan, lease, credit, 
     guaranty, or insurance, or by any other means, by any agency 
     or instrumentality of the United States Government.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.R. 3879.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this measure, which was 
introduced by the ranking member of the Committee on International 
Relations, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), and 
considered by our Committee on International Relations.
  I wish I could express strong confidence that Sierra Leone will enjoy 
a peaceful and democratic future, but at this point we cannot. I fear 
that the significant problems and lack of cooperation with the U.N. 
peacekeepers in Sierra Leone that they have experienced since the 
outset of their deployment will continue. We also fear that the 
Revolutionary United Front, the RUF, which has waged a war of terror 
and atrocity against its own citizens, has not changed in its ultimate 
objective; that is, the complete dominance of Sierra Leone.
  Nonetheless, I support this measure on the basis that we must make 
every effort, and even take some chances, where the future of so many 
innocent and suffering people is concerned.
  My hope is that these funds can be used for a variety of purposes, 
including the documentation of continuing abuses and the tracking of 
arms flows. They can also support the effort to contain an emerging 
international criminal enterprise that operates with the consent, 
support, and even the direction of President Charles Taylor of Liberia.
  President Taylor pioneered the technique of election by exhaustion in 
which a population becomes so fatigued by war and violence that it is 
willing to accept as a leader even the very person who inflicted that 
violence if he promises to ease their suffering.
  The RUF rebels in Sierra Leone seem to be operating from Mr. Taylor's 
play book. Of course, they have added their own creative touches such 
as carving their initials into the bodies of the children they 
kidnapped and chopping the limbs of toddlers to invoke terror in the 
population. It is disgraceful that our government gave its blessing to 
this brutal and twisted group's entries into the government of Sierra 
Leone. I am saddened that the President's special representative for 
democracy in Africa presided over the signing of this Faustian bargain 
in July last year.
  Despite these misgivings, we cannot abandon hope for the beleaguered 
people of Sierra Leone. Accordingly, I support the passage of this 
measure by the House.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that, at the 
conclusion of my remarks, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) 
control the remaining time on this legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  The connection between Sierra Leone and Connecticut is an old one, 
starting with the Amistad. The gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) 
and others just joined us in Connecticut to remember the courage of the 
cargo of the Amistad, those people who had been enslaved in their fight 
for freedom.
  It is sad to see the continued torture of the citizens of Sierra 
Leone, and therefore, the little effort that we are putting forth here, 
the United States involvement, to try to end the bloodshed, to try to 
immobilize and disarm the armed combatants. We need to make sure that 
the killing stops. Many of these soldiers are really children, and we 
have to work with those in the country to provide accountability for 
the victims to work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to 
make sure the guilty are pursued, that the rights of the victims are 
not forgotten. We must be the leaders here to promote peace in Sierra 
Leone, because as almost everywhere, the world looks to the United 
States.
  The international community is ready to make a significant effort 
here, but American leadership, as always, is critical. So I would hope 
we would have broad support for this resolution. I commend the chairman 
of the subcommittee and the chairman of the full committee for all of 
their great work here.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time, to be controlled by 
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) henceforth.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce), the distinguished chairman of our Subcommittee 
on Africa.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation.
  Sierra Leone has experienced one of the most horrific civil wars in 
the world over the past decade. The atrocities there have perhaps been 
some of the most shocking that we have seen in the world. Tens of 
thousands of people have been victimized. There have been killings, 
there have been rapes, but most shockingly, there has been a policy of 
forced amputations carried out as a terror tactic by the Revolutionary 
United Front.
  It is hard to imagine, but this rebel group which has won the world's 
disdain, has a policy of cutting off the hands, the arms of little boys 
and little girls. The streets of the capital, Freetown, is full of 
amputees, thousands of amputees, including many children. This is sheer 
cowardliness. It deserves the strongest condemnation that is possible 
out of this institution, and out of the world.
  There should be no question on another issue: the RUF and its allies 
have been guilty of attacking a democratically elected government. This 
group has been aided and abetted by neighboring Liberia. This bill 
brings attention to that aid and has constructive measures designed to 
pressure those

[[Page H2430]]

neighbor governments to not wage war on the people of Sierra Leone.
  There is a peace agreement in place in Sierra Leone. It is a 
precarious peace. Unfortunately, the RUF appears to be reverting to 
form, waging war, disregarding peace. The RUF most recently has taken 
U.N. peacekeepers hostage. Its leaders have made clear in the most 
inflammatory statements that the U.N. is not welcome. Since the 
beginning of the peace process, I have expressed my serious 
reservations about the policy of bringing the RUF into the Sierra Leone 
Government. Well, that has been done. Now I hope that the peace can be 
built anyway.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill makes a modest contribution to building peace. 
We should do this. We should help Nigeria and other West Africa states 
who have made a great sacrifice in lives and funds to bring stability 
to this country of Sierra Leone. It is in America's interests to see 
that terror does not win the day in Sierra Leone. For if it does, more 
than Sierra Leone will be imperiled. All of West Africa will be 
imperiled, and America would suffer too.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the gentleman from Connecticut for his 
legislation. Many of us on the Committee on International Relations 
have been concerned about Sierra Leone. We have held several hearings, 
we have passed resolutions, and now we have this legislation. There is 
strong committee support for this approach.
  For the sake of the little boys and girls who tragically will live 
their lives with no hands and arms, for the sake of the future of West 
Africa, and for America's interest in a stable and better world, I ask 
my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), 
the chairman of the full committee, and our ranking member, the 
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) for moving this legislation 
forward. I certainly would like to commend my chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Africa, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) for 
his untiring devotion to the subcommittee and for moving legislation 
forward and the interest that he has taken in the problems of the 
continent.

                              {time}  1145

  Let me say that Sierra Leone is a country which gained its 
independence back in 1961, but since that time it has had a difficult 
time from its first president, Momoh, to the current president, Kabbah. 
It is a country which has had a difficulty in the quality of life for 
its rural people in particular. A country which, incidentally, is small 
enough to be able to deal with its problems, a country very rich in 
diamonds and other natural resources.
  And so I strongly support the Sierra Leone Peace Support Act of 2000, 
H.R. 3879, because what this legislation will do is to help to support 
the peace-building efforts of Sierra Leone. It would help with the 
demobilization and demilitarization and reintegration of the military, 
which is essential in order to have people who are carrying arms to put 
them back and get back into civilian life.
  Mr. Speaker, let me also commend the Nigerian military, as the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) has already done, with the forces 
of ECOMOG that for many years kept the peace in Freetown and in Sierra 
Leone. Without their efforts, the situation would have been much more 
difficult.
  I would certainly agree that the RUF has been extraordinarily brutal. 
Nowhere in the world has there been more horrific behavior on the part 
of a military group, because this group would take its vengeance out on 
civilians, and not only civilians, but usually children and women, 
amputating hands and legs.
  And so it was difficult to come to an accord with the RUF in a 
government of reconciliation where President Kabbah has allowed Foday 
Sankoh to be a part of the new government, bringing in the rebels with 
the government to try to simply have the people of Sierra Leone have a 
quality of life that they deserve.
  Sierra Leone is a country that has a tremendous background as relates 
to the United States. As my colleagues may know, the Amistad, as the 
gentleman from (Mr. Gejdenson) talked about, Cinque was from Sierra 
Leone; and in the trial they were found not guilty and allowed to go 
back to Sierra Leone. I had an opportunity to hear from his great, 
great grandchildren who came to Connecticut.
  And so, as a matter of fact, after the Revolutionary War, African 
American slaves who fought with the British were given their freedom by 
Britain and allowed to go back to Sierra Leone, and people who were 
picked up on the high seas were also allowed to go to Sierra Leone. So 
that is a country that has strong ties with African Americans and 
Africans.
  We hope that the peace will keep. We are disturbed at the recent 
behavior of a small group of the RUF. The majority of them have come 
in; but there is a group, anarchist group that has broken off from the 
regular RUF organization that Mr. Foday Sankoh is attempting to bring 
in. We know that this legislation will go forward to help ameliorate 
the situation, and we are hoping to see peace for the people of Sierra 
Leone.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3879, the Sierra 
Leone Peace Act of 2000.
  Congressman Tony Hall and I were in Sierra Leone a few months ago. We 
witnessed the brutal atrocities carried out against the civilian 
population by the rebel forces in Sierra Leone. Although both the 
government of Sierra Leone and the rebel forces signed the Lome Peace 
accord, reports continue to flow out of Sierra Leone about continued 
unrest and further atrocities committed by rebel forces.
  It is my hope that the Sierra Leone Peace Act will greatly assist the 
Lome Peace accords and the continued pursuit of peace, reconciliation, 
and recovery for this country that has endured so much.
  I recently wrote both President Clinton and Secretary Albright urging 
the Administration to set a to be determined date by which the Sierra 
Leonian rebels should comply with the peace accords or face being named 
by the U.S. as war criminals and that they not be allowed to travel to 
the U.S. I submit this correspondence and a copy of my trip report from 
my time in Sierra Leone for the Record.

                                     House of Representatives,

                                      Washington, DC, May 1, 2000.
     Hon. William J. Clinton,
     The President, The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: I am writing to you about the 
     continuing tragedy in Sierra Leone.
       As you know, although a tenuous peace is in place, the 
     former rebels from the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) are 
     disarming at a slow to minimal rate. Numerous reports 
     indicate that the RUF has taken weapons from U.N. 
     peacekeepers at gun point. Reports also indicate that 
     atrocities such as rape, intimidation, and forced 
     conscription are continuing by the supposedly disbanded RUF.
       Present and former RUF units still operate and control 
     certain sections of the country, specifically the diamond 
     producing areas.
       I have enclosed a letter which I sent to Secretary Albright 
     outlining proposed action that the U.S. should take if the 
     RUF continues its atrocities, occupation, and reluctance to 
     disarm by a to be determined designated date.
       The entire country of Sierra Leone will continue to 
     experience suffering and turmoil unless leadership is 
     exercised by the U.S.
       You must do something (see my letter to Secretary Albright 
     for proposed courses of U.S. action). I urge you to act 
     quickly.
       Best wishes
           Sincerely,
                                                    Frank R. Wolf,
                                               Member of Congress.
                                  ____
                                  

 Observations by U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf of Virginia, Visit to Western 
Africa: Sierra Leone After a Decade of Civil War, November 30-December 
                                8, 1999

       This report provides details of a trip Congressman Tony 
     Hall of Ohio and I made to Western Africa to see the 
     conditions in Sierra Leone and in refugee camps nearby in 
     Guinea. We spent two days in Sierra Leone and an additional 
     day visiting refugee camps in bordering Guinea. The people 
     desperately need an end to years of civil strife, terrorism 
     and brutality. Humanitarian assistance in the form of food, 
     medical and public health assistance is urgently required. 
     The country's leaders are struggling with a most fragile 
     peace accord and the community of nations must do whatever it 
     can to strengthen it.
       Our trip to Western Africa provided the opportunity to 
     observe conditions in and around Sierra Leone resulting from 
     a decade-long civil war. I have been to Africa a number of 
     times, but this was my first time in Western Africa. 
     Congressman Hall had visited Sierra Leone once about 10 years 
     ago. I have followed the history of this country for a long 
     while and have been looking for ways to help the people.
       Sierra Leone is a part of the immense portion of Africa 
     that juts westward into the Atlantic Ocean just above the 
     equator. It is

[[Page H2431]]

     slightly larger than West Virginia and has a population of 
     about 4.6 million of which about one half million people live 
     in the capital of Freetown. Though the country is rich in 
     natural resources, per capita income is only about 
     $285, which ranks Sierra Leone among the very poorest 
     nations in the world. This can be attributed primarily to 
     civil strife and rebel terrorism.
       Sierra Leone gained independence from Great Britain in 1961 
     and a continuing struggle for self governance has followed. 
     The elect government was toppled by an army coup in 1992 and 
     a state of civil war has largely existed since. Elections 
     were again held in 1996 when current President Kabbah emerged 
     as the winner. He has held office ever since and his 
     government, with military assistance from The Economic 
     Community of West African States Military Observer Group 
     (ECOMOG), has continued to battle rebel forces made up of the 
     Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and the Armed Forces 
     Revolutionary Counsel (AFRC). In July 1999, the Lome Peace 
     Accords were finally signed and a very fragile peace is 
     beginning to take hold in the region. Presently, it is the 
     best hope if not the only hope to end years of brutality, 
     poverty and despair in Sierra Leone.
       On December 5, we visited two refugee camps in the 
     Forecariah Provence of Guinea located about 20 kilometers 
     across the border from Sierra Leone. Each camp held thousands 
     of refuges, some of whom have lived there for years. Barely 
     adequate food supplies are dwindling and there was some 
     unrest. There is little progress in educating the children or 
     in pursuing efforts to upgrade an existence reduced to the 
     most basic of simply sustaining life.
       On December 6 and 7, we visited Sierra Leone and its 
     capital of Freetown. We met with the President and with 
     leaders of Parliament. We met rebel leaders, members of the 
     clergy and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) 
     representatives. And we met with many victims who will carry 
     throughout their lives horrible physical and emotional scars 
     of years of civil war perpetrated because of greed and power.
       Existence for too many in Sierra Leone is one of hunger, 
     homelessness, poverty and pain. And this seems strange. 
     Sierra Leone is, or should be, an agricultural oasis. Its 
     temperate climate, fertile soil and abundant rain should 
     result in the production of crops and goods far above what 
     the people could consume. The Atlantic Ocean yields an 
     unending harvest of seafood and offers immediate access to 
     important trade routes around the world. And the country is 
     rich in diamonds and minerals for which there is a huge 
     market and huge demand. Yet, because of the civil war, people 
     are without even the basic necessities of life.
       We visited a housing reclamation project established by 
     Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Much of Freetown has been 
     destroyed, looted and burned by rebel forces and CRS has 
     started a program of helping people to rebuild their lost 
     homes. The Sierra Leonians supply the labor, the muscle and 
     much of the raw material from other destroyed structures and 
     CRS offers guidance, harder-to-get building supplies, food 
     rations and a great deal of encouragement. Many new homes are 
     rising out of the rubble. It is a good program.
       We visited the Holy Mary Clinic. Two doctors, a husband and 
     wife team, have been operating a clinic for several years to 
     deal with young children who are the worst victims of the 
     war. About 3,000 girls and boys have been taken hostage by 
     rebel forces and many continue to be held today. Some 500 
     young girls have been returned. They have been horribly 
     sexually abused and were used as sex slaves, temporary wives 
     and household workers. They have been returned or have 
     escaped and are psychologically devastated. Some have no 
     parents left alive and have no one to turn to, no family to 
     help them. Many are pregnant and have sexually transmitted 
     diseases (STD). These are young girls, many are barely 14 
     years old. The boys taken by the rebels are also young 
     children and have been brainwashed, probably drugged and then 
     recruited into the rebel army.
       Holy Mary Clinic does a wonderful job of dealing with this 
     trauma and with young infants and pregnant girls needing pre-
     natal and medical care and counseling. The clinic doctors 
     rely on friends, colleagues and family from Italy for 
     supplies, medicines and equipment. They are doing an 
     outstanding job, but are stretched so thin and could use 
     help. The AIDS virus adds to the despair and the 
     hopelessness, too. We visited a therapeutic feeding center 
     where dozens of starving infants hover on the edge of death. 
     These young children are so malnourished they have no 
     strength to eat and are being force fed in an attempt to 
     sustain life. They are so thin and so fragile that we were 
     afraid that they would break if we just even touched them.
       We saw a former railroad repair factory converted to 
     housing for displaced persons where thousands of homeless 
     refugees are being warehoused. This huge former factory 
     building provides a roof over the refugees' heads and little 
     more. There were few indications of real help being applied 
     to return refugees to a self-sufficient life.
       The Murray Town amputee camp is where victims of rebel 
     brutality go after having their limbs mindlessly hacked off 
     with machetes, axes or knives simply to frighten and 
     terrorize. The amputees receive counseling, some medical care 
     and the beginnings of assistance with crutches and 
     prostheses. They are also fed and have a place to stay.
       One of the first people we saw was a 14-year-old girl whose 
     parents had been killed. She was pregnant, having been raped 
     by rebel soldiers, and had both hands cut off above the 
     wrist. We saw tiny children who had lost limbs. We heard 
     tales of a grotesque lottery where a person drew a slip from 
     a bag. If the slip contained the word ``hand'', ``arm'', 
     ``leg'', ``ear'', ``both feet'', ``head'' or other parts of 
     the body, then the rebels proceeded to carry out the 
     sentence. This sounds unbelievable, but we saw the painful 
     results. Sometimes the rebel butcher offered a choice--long 
     sleeve or short sleeve. That meant: do you want your arm cut 
     off at the wrist or above the elbow?
       Yet one of the camp leaders who had lost his right arm this 
     way told us of seeing the two rebels who mutilated him when 
     they paid a visit to the amputee center. He said that he had 
     forgiven them. He said it was time to move forward from this 
     chapter of despair. Reconciliation is what he was talking 
     about.
       We heard a member of the clergy tell of listening to a 
     small boy ask of the camp counselor, ``When will my hands 
     grow back?'' The rebels abused children too young to even 
     have an inkling of what was happening to them.


                      comments and recommendations

       The West, including the United States and European Union 
     (EU) nations, should quickly provide food and medical 
     supplies to save lives which are in danger. The World Food 
     Programme has asked that more food supplies be directed to 
     Guinea and Sierra Leone so basic food needs can be met. We 
     were told that the food allotment to the refugees is down 
     from a caloric intake of 2,100 a day to 1,400 a day.
       The civil war is largely being funded by the sale of 
     unregulated diamonds (conflict diamonds) being mined in 
     regions held by rebel forces. Congressman Hall has introduced 
     legislation to certify the country of origin of all diamonds. 
     Thus a diamond buyer will know where diamonds have been mined 
     and a purchaser can avoid buying conflict diamonds. Not only 
     are the profits from these illicit diamonds used to fund a 
     war of terror against the people of Sierra Leone, but the 
     people are being deprived of the benefits that these natural 
     resources could offer their society. Passage of Congressman 
     Hall's bill would be a huge stride in ending this practice. 
     Also, we have written United Nations Secretary General Kofi 
     Annan asking the U.N. to sanction black-market diamonds that 
     are not certified by the government of Sierra Leone.
       Every effort should be made to support the current 
     disarmament program which is in place but wobbly. More needs 
     to be done to make it desirable for the rebels to turn in 
     their weapons, come in out of the bush and rejoin society. So 
     far only a few thousand out of about 45,000 rebels have 
     surrendered their arms.
       The West should exert every possible leverage on rebel 
     leaders and also Charles Taylor in Liberia, who is aiding the 
     rebels, to end the civil war. The fragile peace agreement 
     between the government, the RUF, the AFRC and their leaders 
     must be sustained, enforced and nourished. There is an 
     African saying we heard, ``When the elephants fight, the 
     grass dies.'' This is certainly the case here. Bad leaders 
     motivated by greed and power have nearly destroyed a nation 
     and its people.
       Pressure from the United States government and others 
     including European Union (EU) nations on the leadership of 
     the RUF/AFRC to implement the provisions of the accord would 
     be helpful in ensuring success.
       Similar pressure on Liberian President Taylor to ensure 
     that arms and men do not enter Sierra Leone from Liberia 
     would also help.
       The U.S. government joined by EU nations should send these 
     leaders the message that unless peace is achieved, they will 
     not be welcomed in the West. Their families and children will 
     not be welcomed. No visas will be issued. Outside their 
     borders, these leaders will be treated as war criminals and 
     there will be no place for them to spend their ill-gotten 
     gains.
       And the process of reconciliation for the people of Sierra 
     Leone needs to begin. Here, as elsewhere around the globe, 
     lasting peace will depend upon the people being able to 
     reconcile their differences.
       Lastly, I would like to acknowledge and salute all those in 
     the region who came from America and elsewhere to lend a hand 
     to the people of Sierra Leone. The ambassadors and embassy 
     staff personnel, the NGO representatives, doctors and medical 
     staff and clergy who are there at personal risk and 
     discomfort are truly making a difference, and I was so proud 
     to see the job they are doing.
       We saw the great service of citizens from Congressman Tony 
     Hall's district in Dayton, Ohio. They have been working for 
     years on schools, housing, training academies for the blind 
     and other terribly needed programs that have been helping the 
     people of Sierra Leone. It has been said that it is better to 
     light a candle than to curse the darkness. The people of 
     Dayton have ignited an eternal flame in Freetown.
                                  ____



                                     House of Representatives,

                                   Washington, DC, March 16, 2000.
     Hon. Madeleine Korbel Albright,
     Secretary of State,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Madam Secretary: I write today about the worsening 
     situation in Sierra

[[Page H2432]]

     Leone. Congressman Troy Hall and I visited Sierra Leone last 
     December. We were horrified at the atrocities we saw. 
     Throughout the country, rebel groups have tortured, killed, 
     and maimed thousands of people to gain control of the 
     country's diamond industry, fueling the trade in illicit 
     ``conflict diamonds.'' Across a broad spectrum, the 
     conditions in Sierra Leone were among the worse I have ever 
     seen in the many places I've visited in the world.
       At the time of our visit, it was too early to determine the 
     effectiveness of the Lome Peace Accord and the rebels' 
     compliance with it. In my trip report, which I have enclosed 
     for you, I outlined several recommendations about the 
     developing situation in Sierra Leone and the prospective 
     response and involvement of the United States and Europe in 
     achieving peace and stability in the region. In light of the 
     current situation in Sierra Leone, I want to reiterate those 
     recommendations with you.
       First, the flow of conflict diamonds from rebel held areas 
     must stop. Reports indicate that rebel forces still control 
     most of the diamond producing regions in Sierra Leone, 
     suggesting that the trafficking of these diamonds is going to 
     continue to fuel bloodshed upon the people of Sierra Leone. 
     Reports indicate that an overwhelming majority of rebels have 
     not disarmed and that they have control of most, if not all, 
     of the diamond producing region. This condition cannot be 
     tolerated by the U.S., Europe, ECOMOG, and the United 
     Nations.
       Congressman Hall has introduced legislation, H.R. 3188, to 
     certify the country of origin of all diamonds. Thus a diamond 
     buyer will know where a diamond has been mined and a 
     purchaser can avoid buying conflict diamonds. Passage of 
     Congressman Hall's bill will be a huge stride in ending this 
     practice. Your support for this important legislation would 
     be very helpful.
       My report stated that every effort should be made to 
     support the disarmament program in Sierra Leone. Reports 
     include that not only are the rebels not disarming, but they 
     have repeatedly confronted at gunpoint ECOMOG and U.N. 
     peacekeepers and taken their weapons, ammunition, armored 
     personnel carriers, etc. Bold action is needed from the 
     Administration on this matter. I urge you to issue a 
     statement and a fixed date, that you think is reasonable and 
     helpful, to the rebels making clear when the rebels should be 
     completely disarmed and what action the U.S. will take if 
     they are not disarmed.
       Promised U.S. action if the rebels do not comply with the 
     conditions for disarmament should be:
       They and their families will not be allowed entry into the 
     U.S., Britain or any other country--no visas should be issued 
     to rebels or their family members;
       If the rebels have bank accounts in the U.S. and in Europe, 
     they should be frozen and they should be denied access to 
     these accounts and to future commerce with the U.S., bank 
     accounts of rebel family members should be included in this 
     prohibition too;
       The rebel leaders should be declared war criminals by the 
     U.S. and other Western countries and direct its intelligence 
     and police agencies to actively pursue apprehending rebels 
     who have not disarmed.
       These same conditions should also be applied to Liberian 
     Charles Taylor and all Liberians who have assisted the rebels 
     in Sierra Leone. It has come to my attention that Taylor 
     escaped from a Massachusetts prison and fled to Liberia. 
     Taylor and many Liberians have blood on their hands from 
     their support of these rebels. By being the primary conduit 
     for trading the conflict diamonds mined by the rebels, and by 
     reportedly supplying the rebels with military assistance, 
     Taylor and others have fueled the atrocities committed by the 
     rebels upon the people of Sierra Leone. The U.S. should enact 
     similar measures and conditions against Taylor and other 
     Liberians as those I proposed for the rebels in Sierra Leone.
       If the rebels are not disarmed and if Taylor and other 
     Liberians continue to traffic in conflict diamonds and to 
     provide the rebels with military assistance, Taylor and 
     others should be named as war criminals and they should not 
     be allowed to travel outside of their country. You should fix 
     a date that you think is reasonable and helpful.
       Lastly, I ask that the U.S. continue to bolster its efforts 
     to bring belief, aid, and ultimately reconciliation to the 
     region. U.S. leadership in helping the people of Sierra Leone 
     recover from the brutality is integral in creating stability 
     and peace in the region.
       I do appreciate you taking the time to visit Sierra Leone. 
     It was a good thing to do.
       I would be happy to discuss with you in more detail my 
     recommendations and observations. Thank you for your 
     consideration.
       Best wishes.

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gutknecht). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3879, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________