[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 130 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    URGING CONGRESS TO SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN COTE D'IVOIRE

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, democracy has begun to take hold in 
Afghanistan and Iraq recently, and today the United States has an 
opportunity to affirm democracy and democratic principles in another 
country--Cote d'ivoire.
  Congress, along with the Bush administration, must commit the 
resources that are needed to ensure that this strong U.S. ally can hold 
its election at the earliest possible date.
  Just 5 years ago, 85 percent of the Ivorian people approved a 
Constitution mandating that Cote d'ivoire's President remain in office 
until an election result.
  Violating this critical provision of the Constitution could render 
the rest of the document null and void and throw the country into 
further chaos.
  Postponing the election would also reward Cote d'ivoire's anti-
government rebels, who have waged a brutal campaign of fear and 
intimidation. Any peace plan must include the disarmament of these 
rebels.
  Supporting democracy and democratic principles is of particular 
importance in Cote d'ivoire, which is the economic anchor of West 
Africa.
  I am today introducing a Sense of Congress Resolution urging the Bush 
Administration and the Congress to declare, unequivocally, that the 
United States supports a free and fair presidential election in Cote 
d'ivoire at the earliest possible date, and I encourage my colleagues 
to cosponsor this measure.
  Supporting democracy, not thwarting it, must be a guiding principle 
of America's relations with nations throughout the world.

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