[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 169 (Friday, December 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 3427, AFGHANISTAN FREEDOM AND RECONSTRUCTION ACT 
                                OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2001

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing H.R. 3427, the 
Afghanistan Freedom and Reconstruction Act of 2001. I want to thank my 
good friend, the Gentleman from New York, Mr. Ackerman, ranking 
Democratic Member of the Middle East and South Asia subcommittee. 
Without his hard work and that of his staff, we would have never 
reached this point.
  As we speak, the Taliban leadership is on the run. The capital city 
of Kabul has been liberated from Taliban control, as have key cities 
across Afghanistan. The final pockets of resistance are surrounded and 
facing imminent defeat. And as freedom returns to Afghanistan, women 
are throwing off their veils and men are lining up at barber shops to 
shave their beards after years of repressive rule.
  Now is the time for swift action by this Congress, for the United 
States to demonstrate to the people of Afghanistan and throughout the 
Muslim world that the military campaign against Al-Qaida and the 
Taliban is neither a war against Muslims nor a war against the Afghan 
people. Yes, the United States is committed to wipe-out the terrorist 
network in Afghanistan. But we must be equally committed to helping the 
Afghan people reclaim their country and rebuild their lives. We may be 
close to winning the war but we are far from winning the peace.
  The United States did not live up to its commitment after the Soviet 
invasion of Afghanistan was repulsed. We left the people of Afghanistan 
and our friends in Pakistan to fend for themselves. Afghanistan 
disintegrated as a result, as warlords pillaged the country, followed 
by the Taliban's repressive rule and ultimately the rise of terrorist 
elements.
  Mr. Chairman, we must not permit the past to be repeated in 
Afghanistan. Yesterday, the representatives from all major factions in 
Afghanistan signed a landmark agreement to create a broad-based, 
multiethnic, gender-sensitive, fully-representative government in 
Afghanistan. After over 20 years of civil war, foreign occupation, and 
oppression, the people of Afghanistan see rays of hope breaking through 
their clouds of fear.
  Over the last few months, the International Relations Committee has 
held a series of hearings regarding the humanitarian needs in 
Afghanistan, the possibilities for reconstruction, and Afghani hopes 
for the future. Based on these hearings, it is clear to me that we must 
help the Afghan people secure a future for their children that is free 
from war and built on the same hopes and aspirations held by all-
freedom loving people around the world.
  Achieving this vision for Afghanistan is not only a moral and 
humanitarian impulse--it is a national security imperative. If we are 
to prevent future terrorist attacks targeting the United States, we 
must provide a positive alternative to the poverty, repression, and 
religious fanaticism that breeds terrorists such as Osama bin Laden and 
his minions.
  H.R. 3427, the Afghan Freedom and Reconstruction Act of 2001 does 
just that. The bill:
  Expresses a sense of Congress on the U.S. policy towards Afghanistan, 
including promoting its neutrality, supporting a broad-based, multi-
ethnic, gender-sensitive, fully representative government, and 
maintaining a significant commitment to the relief, rehabilitation and 
reconstruction of Afghanistan.
  Authorizes $77.5 million for broadcasting to Afghanistan;
  Authorizes $325 million for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in 
fiscal year 2003;
  Authorizes $150 million for fiscal year 2002 and 2003 for a 
multinational security force in Afghanistan and authorizes funding for 
civil advisers for that country for the interim or transitional 
authority;
  Authorizes $875 million for rehabilitation and reconstruction 
assistance for fiscal years 2002-2005, with--conditions for each year 
to ensure that benchmarks laid out in the December 5, 2001 Bonn 
Agreement between the various Afghan factions are being met; assistance 
for agriculture, health care, education, vocational training, 
disarmament and demobilization, and anti-corruption and good governance 
programs; a special emphasis on assistance to women and girls; a report 
on assistance actually provided; and authority to provide some of this 
assistance through a multilateral fund.
  Authorizes $60 million for Democracy and human rights initiatives for 
fiscal years 2002 through 2004;
  Authorizes $62.5 for a contribution to the UN Drug Control Program 
for fiscal years 2002 through 2004 to reduce or eliminate the 
trafficking of illicit drugs in Afghanistan.
  Authorizes $65 million for a new secure diplomatic facility in 
Afghanistan.
  Requires the President to consult with Congress on any ongoing 
support for remnants of the Taliban, including sanctions against any 
country that provides such support.
  We are committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan in their 
quest to established a broad-based government that respects human 
rights--especially the rights of women and children--and practices 
religious tolerance.
  Mr. Chairman, I, along with Gary Ackerman, the ranking member on the 
Middle East and South Asia subcommittee, and the Gentlewoman from 
Florida, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, the Chairman of the International Operations 
and Human Rights subcommittee, am introducing this legislation to put 
the U.S. Congress squarely behind the people of Afghanistan and its 
nascent hopes for a brighter future.

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