[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 26, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SUPPORT AND APPRECIATION FOR THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF 
       THE ARMED FORCES PARTICIPATING IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

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                               speech of

                          HON. CASS BALLENGER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the 
Record the attached statement of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe 
supporting U.S. action in Iraq.

    Excerpts of a Televised Address to the Colombian Nation by His 
 Excellency Alvaro Uribe, President of the Republic of Colombia on Iraq

       The Government has openly supported the use of force in 
     Iraq in order to disarm its regime and prevent its weapons of 
     mass destruction from continuing to threaten mankind and the 
     Iraqi people, who have been a victim of horrid crimes 
     perpetrated by Iraqi authorities. The world still remembers 
     images of the mothers of Halabja, dying while embracing their 
     children in a last effort to protect them from the deadly 
     effects of Saddam Hussein's poisonous gas.
       This international action should protect civilians and 
     respect the legitimate rights of the population of Iraq.
       We belong to a coalition formed of countries like the 
     United States, Spain, England, Italy, Denmark, Holland, 
     Nicaragua, El Salvador and Bolivia. As in the case of 
     Colombia, the people in many of these countries have suffered 
     from terrorism and have learned, as we have, that this 
     scourge has to be defeated by force in order for citizens to 
     be able to live in peace.
       Colombia has been requesting the world's support in its 
     fight against terrorism and we cannot refuse to support 
     actions aimed at defeating terror wherever it takes place. We 
     have demanded global solidarity to avoid the suffering 
     brought about by terrorism and we must fight together to stop 
     terrorism from causing havoc here and there--in the Twin 
     Towers of New York, in the streets of Great Britain, in 
     Spanish cities, in Bogota's Club El Nogal, in Cuouta and 
     Neiva, in the humble town of Ricaurte just last night, or in 
     Arauca, nearly on a daily basis.
       Neither state terrorism nor terrorism by armed groups of 
     any kind can be tolerated. Our Government is committed to the 
     fight against terrorism until terrorist networks are 
     dismantled. Only then will we see full compliance with human 
     rights. The dignity of our open democracy requires this and 
     only when it is realized will we be able to maintain 
     international credibility, which is our defense against 
     unilateral intervention of any kind.
       We will overcome the terrorist's deceit: Terrorists in 
     Colombia advance their agenda through illegal drugs, 
     kidnappings, arms and technology while misleading well-
     intentioned analysts and seeking sinister alliances. We 
     cannot remain in doubt, lacking determination and mistaking 
     weakness for legality, which has prevented us from gaining 
     effective allies against terrorism.
       By participating in this alliance against terrorism, 
     Colombia strengthens its ability to gain international allies 
     who can help us defeat terrorism internally. We have also 
     learned that international cooperation cannot remain solely 
     in the realm of words, but must translate into concrete 
     support, good offices and effective military action.
       We feel for the victims of terrorism in Colombia and other 
     countries. To demand solidarity, we must show solidarity.

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