[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1465-E1466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TO REPORT ON THE SUCCESSES OF THE FOURTEENTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE 
  ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE'S PARLIAMENTARY 
                                ASSEMBLY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 2005

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to report on the 
successes of the fourteenth annual session of the Organization for 
Security and Cooperation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly which 
convened in Washington, DC over the first five days of July. Over 800 
parliamentarians and staff were in attendance, making it one of the 
largest assemblies in the Organization's history, and one of the most 
productive.
  The theme of this year's session, ``30 Years since Helsinki: 
Challenges Ahead'' reminds us of the agreement that founded the OSCE, 
and the ideals which must guide us through the tests of the future. The 
Washington Declaration, a compendium of resolutions adopted at this 
year's session, is a testament to the excellent progress that has been 
made in central areas of social, economic, and human rights policy. The 
OSCE has maintained its position at the forefront of some of our 
world's most critical concerns; eradicating human trafficking, ensuring 
fair elections, combating social prejudice, and maintaining stable 
economic relationships between all nations.
  Members of both branches of Congress play a central role in the OSCE 
Parliamentary Assembly. Our delegation offered a resolution entitled 
``Combating involvement in trafficking in human beings and sexual 
exploitation and abuse by international peacekeeping forces'' that was 
adopted into the Washington Declaration. The practice of human 
trafficking is an affront to humanity, and must not be tolerated. 
According to the most recent Department of State estimates, between 
600,000 and 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year 
worldwide, including 14,500 into the United States. Combined with 
trafficking within countries, the total figure is estimated at between 
2 and 4 million. The OSCE, as the world's largest regional security 
organization, is uniquely positioned to take on this critical issue.
  During this year's session, the U.S. delegation made major progress 
in international trade. Representative Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of 
the U.S. Helsinki Commission, spearheaded a resolution urging the 
Mediterranean Partners to work with the Arab League in order to rescind 
the trade boycott of the State of Israel. The boycott has existed for 
almost half a century, and it is clear that a healthy economic 
relationship between the United States, Israel, and the Middle East 
will be central in the fight for a stable and more peaceful world.

  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to serve as the current President of the OSCE 
Parliamentary Assembly, and delighted to have been elected to a second 
term. The U.S. delegation was at the forefront of efforts to preserve 
the quality of the OSCE's election monitoring activities, the battle 
against anti-Semitism and efforts to set codes of conduct for 
peacekeepers and international representatives.
  We were also privileged to welcome you, Mr. Speaker, and Secretary 
Rice, to address the Assembly and I am pleased to report that the 
conference was a major success.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I ask for unanimous consent that the 
statement of the Honorable Canadian Senator Jerry Grafstein be added to 
the Record immediately following this statement. Senator Grafstein was 
elected to a second term as Treasurer of the OSCE Parliamentary 
Assembly, a clear endorsement of his dedication, prudence and fine 
leadership. I thank him for his kind words, and I thank the whole 
Canadian delegation for their admirable contributions to the OSCE 
Parliamentary Assembly.

          Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe


                   FOURTEENTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

       Hon. Jerahmiel S. Grafstein: Honourable senators, yesterday 
     the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security 
     and Co-operation in Europe completed its fourteenth annual 
     session in Washington, D.C. It lasted over five days and was 
     attended by more than 1,000 parliamentarians and staff. It 
     was probably the largest assembly in its history. The 
     Washington Declaration, a compendium of all resolutions 
     adopted, will be tabled in the Senate. The OSCE Parliamentary 
     Assembly is composed of parliamentarians from 55 member 
     states, and is the largest international organization 
     dedicated to the advancement of democratic rights, human 
     rights, and economic and security cooperation.
       The Washington Declaration included a number of issues on 
     which Canadian parliamentarians took the lead: trafficking in 
     human beings; steps for cooperation in the Middle East; 
     combating anti-Semitism; advancing the fight against 
     corruption amongst parliamentarians and in the public

[[Page E1466]]

     service; improving democratic surveillance of election 
     monitoring; codes of conduct for peacekeepers and 
     international representatives; and gender issues.
       I was pleased to be re-elected for a third time as a Senior 
     Officer and Treasurer and as Leader of the Liberal, 
     Democratic and Reformer's Political group. I extend my 
     appreciation and congratulations to our colleague, the 
     Honourable Senator Di Nino, for his assiduous performance as 
     head of the Canadian delegation. I intend to have the Senate 
     consider a number of aspects of the Washington Declaration, 
     which each parliamentary delegation was mandated to do under 
     the declaration.
       I would like to add a special word of congratulations to 
     Speaker Dennis Hastert, of the House of Representatives, to 
     our Congressional American hosts and to Congressman Alcee 
     Hastings, who was re-elected President of the OSCE 
     Parliamentary Association and who invited us to share an 
     outstanding visit to George Washington's home on Mount Vernon 
     on the Potomac. Our hosts also invited us to participate in 
     the festivities on Capitol Hill for their July 4 celebration, 
     together with over one million Americans. It was a memorable 
     experience for all of us.

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