[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 24, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S10939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS SUPPORTING THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE 
                  DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL FORCES IN PERU

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent 
that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 
155, submitted earlier today by Senator Chafee.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent 
resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 155) expressing the 
     sense of Congress that the Government of the United States 
     should actively support the aspirations of the democratic 
     political forces in Peru toward an immediate and full 
     restoration of democracy in that country.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent 
that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, 
the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements 
relating to this resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 155) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 155

       Whereas democracy in Peru suffered a severe setback when 
     the Government of Peru, headed by President Alberto Fujimori, 
     manipulated democratic electoral processes and failed to 
     establish the conditions for free and fair elections--both 
     for the April 9, 2000, election and the May 28, 2000, run 
     off--by not taking effective steps to correct the 
     ``insufficiencies, irregularities, inconsistencies, and 
     inequities'' documented by the Organization of American 
     States (OAS) and other independent election observers;
       Whereas the absence of free and fair elections in Peru has 
     further undermined democracy in that country and constitutes 
     a major setback for the Peruvian people and for democracy in 
     the Hemisphere; and
       Whereas the fate of Peruvian democracy is a matter that 
     should be decided upon by the people of Peru: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That (a) the Congress--
       (1) supports efforts toward restoring democracy in Peru, 
     including the shortening of the term of Alberto Fujimori, the 
     recent call for new elections, and the decision to deactivate 
     the National Intelligence Service (SIN);
       (2) is concerned that the same elements which have 
     systematically undermined democratic institutions in Peru and 
     which manipulated the electoral process in April and May 2000 
     remain in power and are in a position to manipulate the 
     upcoming electoral process; and
       (3) supports the efforts of Peruvian democratic civil 
     society to create the necessary conditions for free and fair 
     elections, including improving respect for human rights, the 
     rule of law, the independence and constitutional role of the 
     judiciary and the national congress, and freedom of 
     expression and of the independent media.
       (b) It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) it should be the policy of the United States to 
     actively support the aspirations of the democratic political 
     forces in Peru for a credible transition toward the full 
     restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Peru, headed 
     by leaders who are committed to democracy and who enjoy the 
     trust of the Peruvian people;
       (2) it should be the policy of the United States to work 
     with the international community, including the OAS, to 
     assist democratic forces in Peru in restoring democracy to 
     their country;
       (3) the Government of Peru should establish a fully 
     independent and credible election authority and should end 
     all interference with freedom of speech and the media;
       (4) the Government of Peru should fully implement the 
     recently enacted law deactivating the SIN and the United 
     States Government should oppose all elements of the 
     Government of Peru that continue to subvert Peruvian 
     democracy; and
       (5) the United States Government should cooperate fully 
     with any credible investigation of narcotics or arms 
     trafficking by officials of the Government of Peru.

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