[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 12 (Thursday, January 23, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1461-S1462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      ON LIBYA'S CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the selection 
of Libya this week to head the U.N. Human Rights Commission. Libya's 
taking the helm of the U.N. Human Rights Commission makes a mockery of 
that institution and deprives the U.N. and the world at large of 
credible leadership from that position at a critical time.
  It is a well established fact that Libya's totalitarian regime under 
Muammar al-Qadhafi has had an abysmal human rights record and has been 
a leading state sponsor of terrorism. The most widely publicized 
incident was the 1988 bombing of Pan American Airways flight 103 that 
resulted in 270 deaths. The Iran Libya Sanctions Act, ILSA, was 
extended until August 2006 due to such support for terrorism, attempts 
to acquire weapons of mass destruction, and belligerency over 
territorial claims. I was proud to author the ILSA extension in the 
last Congress.
  The Libyan government must improve its standing in the international 
community by ceasing support to terrorists and moving towards a more 
democratic system. Under current circumstances, however, this 
chairmanship will be sadly devoid of leadership by example. Libya's 
ascendancy to the chairmanship of the Commission has dealt an appalling 
blow to the cause of human rights and to the credibility of that U.N. 
body.
  Last week my great friend and colleague, Chuck Schumer, the senior 
Senator from New York, urged Secretary Powell to do all that he could 
to prevent this travesty.
  I ask unanimous consent to have this letter from Senator Schumer and 
me printed in the Record.

[[Page S1462]]

  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:
                                                      U.S. Senate,
                                 Washington, DC, January 16, 2003.
     Hon. Colin L. Powell, Secretary of State, 2201 C Street, NW, 
       Washington, DC.
       Dear Secretary Powell: We were greatly troubled to learn 
     that Libya has been nominated by the African delegation to 
     lead the U.N. Human Rights Commission and stands to 
     potentially assume that key leadership role in a vote at the 
     UN on Monday, January 20. We share the opinion of our 
     respected colleague from the House International Relations 
     Committee that Libya's ascendancy to that position would deal 
     a significant blow to the cause of human rights.
       Libya, under Muammar al-Qadhafi, has an abysmal human 
     rights record and has been a leading state sponsor of 
     terrorism. The most widely publicized incident was the 1988 
     bombing of Pan American Airways flight 103 that resulted in 
     270 deaths. As you are well aware, the Iran Libya Sanctions 
     Act (ILSA) was extended until August 2006 due to such support 
     for terrorism, attempts to acquire weapons of mass 
     destruction, and belligerency over territorial claims.
       We hope that the Libyan government will improve its 
     standing in the international community by ceasing support to 
     terrorists and moving towards a more democratic system. Under 
     current circumstances, however, Libya's taking the helm of 
     the UN Human Rights Commission would make a mockery of that 
     institution and deprive the UN and the world at large of 
     credible leadership on human rights at a critical time.
       We believe that your personal leadership may be required to 
     secure an acceptable outcome in the vote next Monday. Toward 
     that end, we urge you to speak out on the human rights 
     situation in Libya and to consider interceding with relevant 
     delegations so that wisdom might prevail.
       Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look 
     forward to continuing to work with you, and appreciate your 
     consistent efforts to promote respect for human rights.
           Sincerely,
     Gordon H. Smith.
     Charles E. Schumer.

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