[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 35 (Sunday, March 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E517-E518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE UNITED STATES-LIBYA RELATIONS ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Sunday, March 20, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I introduced the United 
States-Libya Relations Act of 2005. I am proud to have authored this 
bill, which I believe will fortify a historic change in Libyan policies 
and will strengthen relations between the United States and Libya.
  In December 2003, Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi made a path breaking 
decision. He decided to dismantle Libya's weapons of mass destruction 
and turn them over to his longtime nemesis, the United States, and to 
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). With that decision, Col. 
Qadhafi fundamentally changed the regional security situation, his 
nation's diplomatic standing, and the economic outlook for the Libyan 
people.
  And, most important, he established a model for other rogue nations 
around the world to follow. While the Libya breakthrough is significant 
in its own right, it has much broader implications. If the United 
States can convince other nations to follow Libya's example, we can 
fundamentally improve our own national security, strengthen 
international security and improve the daily lives of millions.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to see the Administration take full 
strategic advantage of this historic opportunity.
  When Libya announced that it was renouncing WMD, President Bush said, 
``Leaders who abandon the pursuit of chemical, biological and nuclear 
weapons, and the means to deliver them, will find an open path to 
better relations with the United States and other free nations.''
  Now we need to do a better job of implementing the President's 
pledge. We need to promote the ``Libya model'' as an example for U.S. 
relations with proliferator states such as North Korea and Iran.
  Proliferators must understand that a definitive end to their efforts 
to acquire weapons of mass destruction will bring a new era of positive 
relations with the United States. And the whole world must see that the 
United States keeps its word to improve relations and work with those 
states who abandon their illegal weapons programs. It is my sincere 
belief that other nations can be encouraged to follow the Libya 
example, but we must be certain that Libya's experience is positive and 
that its dramatic reversal in policy is rewarded.
  While we have taken some actions that respond positively to Libya's 
gesture, but we have not done as much as is warranted by the magnitude 
and historic nature of this opportunity.
  That is why, Mr. Speaker, I have introduced the ``United States-Libya 
Relations Act of 2005.'' This legislation is intended to: reinforce 
U.S. and Libyan commitments to one another; strengthen bilateral 
relations; facilitate the integration of Libya into the international 
community; and encourage positive change in Libyan society.
  This bill fully implements the President's promise that countries 
that relinquish weapons of mass destruction will find an ``open path'' 
to better relations with the United States. The legislation foresees a 
variety of benefits for Libya--support for U.S. investment and trade 
with Libya, increased educational exchanges and other forms of people-
to-people contacts, and an end to the political and economic isolation 
of Libya.
  This legislation puts the U.S. Congress squarely on record as 
supporting the President's policy, affirming that Libya's decision to 
abandon weapons of mass destruction ``marks an unprecedented step'' 
that ``suggests a model approach for other countries'' that abandon 
their pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
  There are two types of regime change. A regime can be changed by 
others through the use of force. On the other hand, a regime can change 
its policies without changing its leadership. Rogue states need to know 
that both options are on the table. I want this bill to serve as a 
beacon for rogue nations that want to come in from the cold--that want 
to end their isolation and impoverishment, as Colonel Qadhafi did.
  Mr. Speaker, I recognize that this bill may raise questions in two--
regards terrorism and human rights. First, as we all know, Libya 
remains on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism. 
But it is my understanding, based on conversations with numerous U.S. 
government officials and a statement made yesterday by Undersecretary 
of State William Burns before the International Relations Committee, 
that since at least December 2003 Libya has not supported international 
terrorist groups, and, in fact, that it has been very helpful to us in 
fighting the global war on terrorism. Let me make clear that my bill 
does not call on the Administration to remove Libya from the terrorism 
list before it is warranted by the facts and ongoing discussions 
between our government and officials of the Libyan government.
  Second, as my colleagues in the Congress know, I have a lifelong 
commitment to human rights, and my legislation emphasizes the 
importance of supporting human rights and democratic values in Libya 
both through dialogue and through deed. This legislation is unwavering 
in its commitment to American values of human rights and democracy, 
but, in the interest of promoting the Libyan model and enhancing 
international security, we should not put bilateral relations on ice 
until respect for human rights and democracy have been fully achieved.
  Mr. Speaker, it is right and appropriate for the United States to 
offer proliferators an opportunity to change their policies and benefit

[[Page E518]]

from doing what is in their and our best interest. Now we must make 
sure we follow through on President Bush's pledge that countries which 
relinquish weapons of mass destruction will find an ``open path'' to 
better relations with the United States. That is the spirit that 
motivated his response to Libyan renunciation of weapons of mass 
destruction in December 2003, and that is exactly the spirit that 
motivates the US-Libya Relations Act which I am introducing today.

                          ____________________