[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3418-H3420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING THE COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1143) commending the Community of Democracies for
its achievements since it was founded in 2000, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1143
Whereas the Community of Democracies is a global
intergovernmental organization of democratic countries which
aims to promote democracy and strengthen democratic norms and
institutions around the world;
Whereas the Community of Democracies was founded in June
2000 at a ministerial conference in Warsaw, Poland;
Whereas the Warsaw Conference was convened upon the
initiative of then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and
then-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Bronislaw Geremek;
Whereas delegations from 106 countries signed the final
declaration of the Warsaw Conference on June 27, 2000,
endorsing an agreed list of core democratic principles and
practices, and committing themselves to the promotion of
those principles and practices;
Whereas since the Warsaw Conference, there have been four
subsequent ministerial conferences of the Community of
Democracies in Seoul, Korea, in November 2002, Santiago,
Chile, in April 2005, Bamako, Mali, in November 2007, and
Lisbon, Portugal, in July 2009;
Whereas since its founding the Community of Democracies has
been guided by a Convening Group, today consisting of Cape
Verde, Chile, Czech Republic, El Salvador, India, Italy,
Lithuania, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Philippines,
Poland, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, and the United
States;
Whereas in June 2009, Lithuania assumed the Presidency of
the Community of Democracies for a two-year term;
Whereas upon the initiative of the Government of Poland,
the Community of Democracies established a Permanent
Secretariat in Warsaw in January 2009, with the goal of
strengthening the institution and enabling it to more
effectively fulfill its mission of promoting democracy
worldwide;
Whereas the Permanent Secretariat in Warsaw has established
itself as a vibrant institution of the Community of
Democracies, with an active agenda and effective operation;
Whereas under the leadership of the Convening Group, the
Lithuanian Presidency, the Permanent Secretariat, and the
International Steering Committee, the Community of
Democracies has mounted recent efforts to promote democracy
in such countries as Iran, Burma, and Afghanistan, and passed
resolutions, issued position statements, and committed itself
further to missions assisting democratic advancement in those
countries and societies which desire it; and
Whereas on the 10th anniversary of the Warsaw Conference,
the Community of Democracies will convene in Krakow, Poland,
to re-launch the Community and adopt a work program to
advance democracy worldwide: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the Community of Democracies for its
achievements since it was founded in 2000;
(2) applauds the recent establishment of the Permanent
Secretariat of the Community of Democracies and expresses its
appreciation to the Government of Poland for the support it
has extended to the Permanent Secretariat and for hosting it
in Warsaw;
(3) appreciates the energy and initiative that the
Lithuanian Presidency has committed to the Community of
Democracies and its Working Groups; and
(4) extends its best wishes for the success of the
Community's ongoing efforts to promote democracy worldwide,
and of the Krakow Conference, which will be held on the 10th
anniversary of the founding of the Community of Democracies.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Engel) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution
that commends the Community of Democracies for its many achievements
since the organization's founding a decade ago, and I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
I wish to thank my good friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Quigley), for his leadership in introducing this measure and bringing
it forward for our consideration today.
Mr. Speaker, in January 1999, then-Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright told the Los Angeles Times that her highest priority before
leaving office was to create a global community of democracies. That
objective became a reality in June 2000 when she, along with then-
Polish Foreign Minister Geremek, convened ministerial delegations from
106 countries in Warsaw to sign a declaration entitled ``Toward a
Community of Democracies.''
This declaration sought to demonstrate methods of support to
countries that strive for freedom and democracy. It also established a
global, intergovernmental coalition of democratic countries that are
committed to promoting democratic rules and strengthening democratic
institutions around the world.
I think it is somewhat ironic that this inaugural meeting was in
Warsaw, because we know Warsaw has had a long history of being occupied
and not being free. Since Warsaw, ministerial conferences have been
held in Seoul, Korea; Santiago, Chile; Bamako, Mali; and Lisbon,
Portugal. In addition, a Permanent Secretariat was established in
Warsaw in order to strengthen the institution and further its mission
of democracy promotion.
In early July, on the 10th anniversary of the organization's
founding, the Community of Democracies will meet in Krakow, Poland to
relaunch the Community and adopt a work program to advance democracy
worldwide. This gathering, which will be hosted by Polish Foreign
Minister Sikorski, will undoubtedly be one of the most prominent
international gatherings of democracy decision-makers this year.
It is fitting that this meeting once again will be held in Poland,
not only because it was the location of the Community's founding and a
real success story of post-Cold War democratization efforts, but also
because the world is grieving with the Polish people following the
tragic loss of their President in the plane crash.
As the United States is one of the founding members of the Community
and a participant in its convening group, it is appropriate that the
House adopt this resolution that commends the Community of Democracies
for its achievements and wishes it much success in its upcoming
conference.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of this resolution, and I thank
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for providing us with this
timely opportunity to recognize the work of the Community of
Democracies. Next month will mark the anniversary of the founding of
that intergovernmental organization 10 years ago in Warsaw, Poland.
Unlike the United Nations, the governmental participants in the
Community of Democracies are not distinguished merely by the fact that
they hold power in a country. They are bound by their commitments to
the core democratic principles set out in the Warsaw Declaration,
including, among others: the right of citizens to choose their
governments through regular, free, and fair elections; freedom of
opinion; freedom of expression; freedom of conscience; freedom of
religion; freedom of peaceful assembly; freedom of association; the
right to be free from arbitrary arrest and detention; and the
importance of a competent, independent, and impartial judiciary.
Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, as outlined in the Seoul ministerial
meeting in 2002, the Community has developed criteria and procedures to
help ensure that only practicing democracies are participants.
Maintaining those standards is critical, as they give the Community a
moral authority and a substantive voice that is so badly needed in
today's world.
The promise and possibilities of the Community have become even more
important at a time when other multilateral bodies have been poisoned
by membership without standards. We need look no further than the
discredited U.N. Human Rights Council. When
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a so-called human rights body counts China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and
other abusive regimes as members, we cannot claim to be surprised at
how ineffective it has become in protecting and advancing fundamental
freedoms.
The U.N. Human Rights Council is a feckless and ideologically
manipulated talk-shop that expends most of its energy not on the North
Korean gulag or genocide in Sudan or repression in Burma or the brutal
dictatorship in Cuba or the beatings of the peaceful Damas de Blanco,
or Ladies in White, oh, no. They spend their time attacking the
democratic Jewish State of Israel.
In this environment, the need for a cohesive, energetic, multilateral
voice that truly stands for and defends political freedom and
fundamental human rights is greater than ever. This is where the
Community of Democracies can step in and fill that need.
The Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies began
operating just in January 2009 and is located where the Community
issued its founding declaration: in Warsaw, Poland. We continue to be
grateful to the government and the people of Poland for hosting the
secretariat and for their living witness to the democratic ideals,
ideals nurtured even during their trying experience of communism and
Soviet domination in the 20th century.
I also want to express my appreciation to the Government of Lithuania
for its presidency of the Community of Democracies since last July.
Looking ahead, I sincerely hope that the Community will maintain its
distinctive voice.
We must help ensure that the regional groups of the Community will
make additional, concrete progress, such as on the Inter-Arab
Democratic Charter discussed by members of the Middle East group at the
2005 ministerial meeting in Santiago.
Finally, we must help ensure that the Community will emphasize
democracy and human rights as predicates for efficient, responsible,
economic development, and not as luxuries that can only be expected in
affluent societies.
And as the more than 100 participating countries prepare to meet in
Krakow in July, let us all recommit ourselves to promoting the ideals
of freedom to which we all aspire.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure now to yield 2 minutes to
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley), the author of this
resolution.
Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their kind words
on this matter.
I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1143, a bipartisan
resolution commending the Community of Democracies on its 10-year
anniversary.
The Community of Democracies is a truly global, intergovernmental
organization of democratic nations. The organization seeks to promote
democracy and strengthen democratic institutions around the world.
Spearheaded by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the
overarching goal was to create a global community of democratic
nations. Secretary Albright's vision became a reality in 2000 when 106
nations came together in Warsaw to launch the Community of Democracies.
This July marks the 10-year anniversary, and my resolution honors
their achievements over the last decade. The resolution also expresses
hope for success at the anniversary conference to be held in Krakow
this July. Honoring the Community has always been important, but in
light of the recent tragedy in Poland, the significance of this
resolution has dramatically increased.
The Community of Democracies has deep ties with Poland and Polish
leaders. The organization was founded in Warsaw, Poland, under the
leadership of then-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Bronislaw
Geremek. It was the Government of Poland that initiated the
establishment of a Permanent Secretariat in Warsaw in January 2009 to
strengthen the institution. It is fitting, therefore, that Poland will
host the anniversary conference.
Poland has endured much sorrow recently, but we know the country and
her people will find the resilience to emerge stronger, as they have
before, following this unimaginable tragedy.
This resolution honors those democratic institutions exemplified by
Poland and by every other democracy throughout the world. I urge my
colleagues to support H. Res. 1143, commending the Community of
Democracies.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield such time
as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-
Balart), the ranking member of the Rules Committee Subcommittee on
Legislative and Budget Process.
Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend
for yielding me the time and Mr. Quigley for introducing this important
resolution.
The Community of Democracies, a global intergovernmental coalition of
over 100 democratic states, has proven its support for the promotion of
democracy in civil society over the decade since its founding.
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight, as Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen appropriately mentioned before, the leadership of the Republic
of Lithuania, which took over the presidency of the Community of
Democracies in July 2009. Lithuania has shown remarkable leadership in
pressing forward with the Community's agenda of promoting democracy,
human rights, and freedom in oppressed lands such as Burma, Belarus,
and Cuba.
Under the guidance of Ambassador Zygimantas Pavilionis, chief
coordinator of Lithuania's presidency of the Community of Democracies,
the Community created a Parliamentary Forum in March of this year. I
have been impressed by Ambassador Pavilionis' exceptional leadership
and commitment to strengthening the role of the Community of
Democracies in fulfilling its mission of promoting democratic
institutions and civil society.
In March of this year, I was privileged to attend the convening
meeting of the Parliamentary Forum of the Community of Democracies in
Vilnius, Lithuania. At the first meeting of the Parliamentary Forum,
Emanuelis Zingeris, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the
Seimas of Lithuania, was elected as the first president of the
Parliamentary Forum of the Community of Democracies. Mr. Zingeris is a
charismatic and brilliant leader who will doubtless be an effective
president of the Parliamentary Forum throughout his term.
Also at the Parliamentary Forum, I had the great honor of being
elected one of the seven vice presidents of the new entity, along with
fellow vice presidents Michal Tomasz Kaminski, Polish member of the
European Parliament and chairman of the European Conservatives and
Reformists in the European Parliament; Michael Gahler, German member of
the European Parliament of the Group of the European People's Party;
Alexandr Vondra, a senator from the Czech Republic; Adriana Gonzalez
Carrillo, a senator of the Republic of Mexico; David Kilgour, former
member of Parliament and a well-known human rights activist in Canada;
and David Bakradze, speaker of the Parliament of Georgia.
{time} 1930
Notably, the Parliamentary Forum's first adopted resolution at its
convening meeting on March 12, 2010, called for the support of Cuba's
pro-democracy movement. I have a copy of that resolution, Mr. Speaker
here. I will insert it into the Record.
And the Parliamentary Forum's international solidarity, as
demonstrated by this resolution, a strong and very appropriate, well-
written resolution that, for example, honors, and I read from it, Cuban
pro-democracy fighters such as the martyr Orlando Zapata Tamayo and
expresses its admiration for the efforts of other heroes such as
Guillermo Farinas. This is a concrete, specific demonstration of
genuine solidarity by the Parliamentary Forum of the Community of
Democracies with the suffering people of Cuba and the freedom fighters
who, within Cuba, are struggling to bring democracy and freedom to that
land.
Orlando Zapata Tamayo was assassinated by the Cuban dictatorship, and
he died after over 80 days on a hunger strike protesting the tortures
that he was continuously subjected to as a political prisoner.
And Guillermo Farinas is, as we speak, on a hunger strike in Cuba.
This
[[Page H3420]]
institution, the Parliamentary Forum of the Community of Democracies,
expressed its solidarity with these Cuban rights fighters, fighters for
freedom. And in that way, demonstrated its genuine commitment to
furthering democratic institutions and assisting those who are fighting
for freedom.
The resolution today, Mr. Speaker, that will be passed by the
Congress of the United States in support of commending the Community of
Democracies on its 10th anniversary is timely. I wholeheartedly support
it. I commend the Community of Democracies for 10 years of leadership,
and I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this resolution.
Again, thank you, Mr. Engel. Thank you Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. This is an
important and timely resolution. These are friends of freedom that
we're commending today, an institution that, as Ms. Ros-Lehtinen
pointed out, is not there for cocktail parties or press releases. And
it doesn't allow itself to be tarnished, like abominable institutions
such as the so-called Human Rights Council of the United Nations, to be
tarnished by, in effect, defending tyrannies. The Community of
Democracies is that, a community of democracies that stands for and
believes in freedom and democracy. That's why it's appropriate to
commend them on their 10th anniversary.
The Community of Democracies Parliamentary Forum
resolution calling for support of Cuba's pro-democracy movement, The
convening meeting, 2010 March 12
Whereas the pro-democracy movement in Cuba has grown at a
rapid pace over the last three years, and specific
expressions of the movement are evident today in the
explosion of bloggers on the island, independent journalists,
musicians, artists, writers, and others, who are using their
talents to denounce the atrocities of the dictatorship all
while putting forth new ideas for the transition to
democracy;
Whereas there are still extraordinary obstacles to overcome
such as the continued repression by the totalitarian
dictatorship, extremely limited access to the Internet and
``texting'' capabilities, and a lack of a coherent message of
solidarity from the international community;
Whereas the dictatorship is fearful of the growth of the
pro-democracy movement;
Whereas the message of the Movement is coherent and clear
in demanding freedom for all Cuban political prisoners,
beginning with those who are gravely ill inside the prison,
freedom of expression and free, fair multi-party elections
with international supervision;
Whereas this common position of the Cuban pro-democracy
movement requires greater recognition, dissemination and
solidarity on the part of the Community of Democracies;
Whereas now more than ever the Cuban pro-democracy movement
requires that the democratic community takes concrete steps
to demonstrate its solidarity; Now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Community of Democracies Parliamentary
Forum--
condemns the brutality of the Cuban regime against Cuban
political prisoners;
expresses its full support for the Cuban pro-democracy
movement;
honors Cuban pro-democracy fighters such as the martyr
Orlando Zapata Tamayo and expresses its admiration for the
efforts of other heroes such as Guillermo Farifias;
calls for the immediate release of all Cuban political
prisoners and free multiparty elections in Cuba; and
calls on the democratic community to take concrete steps in
demonstrating their solidarity with the Cuban pro-democracy
movement by providing humanitarian and technological
assistance to the pro-democratic movement, urging certain
foreign diplomatic posts in Havana to strengthen contacts
with pro-democratic activists on the island, encouraging
foreign dignitaries to visit Cuba for the sole purpose of
meeting with pro-democratic activists, and looking for
opportunities to reiterate and support the common position of
the Cuban pro-democracy movement in the international
community.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time as well.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1143, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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