[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16560-16561]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       CONGRATULATING PERU AND ECUADOR FOR ENDING BORDER DISPUTE

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 25) congratulating the Government of Peru and the 
Government of Ecuador for signing a peace agreement ending a border 
dispute which has resulted in several military clashes over the past 50 
years.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H. Res. 25

       Whereas the Governments of Peru and Ecuador have been 
     engaged in a serious border dispute dating as far back as 
     Spanish colonial times;
       Whereas the Rio Protocol signed in 1942 between Peru and 
     Ecuador, and guaranteed by 4 nations including the United 
     States, failed to settle the dispute;
       Whereas Peru and Ecuador have gone to war 3 times over the 
     border areas with the most recent clashes taking place in 
     1995 resulting in dozens of deaths on both sides; and
       Whereas the Governments of Peru and Ecuador recently 
     completed long and difficult negotiations and reached a final 
     settlement of the dispute on October 26, 1998: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the Governments of Peru and Ecuador for 
     ending the border dispute between their two countries which 
     has been a source of armed conflict for over 50 years;
       (2) commends the Presidents of both nations for personally 
     becoming involved in the negotiations and for reaching this 
     historic agreement;
       (3) recognizes the commitment of the Presidents of the 
     guarantor nations of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, along with 
     the United States, in seeking a viable solution to the border 
     dispute;
       (4) urges both the Governments of Peru and Ecuador to honor 
     the border settlement and to cooperate with each other in 
     bringing peace, stability, and economic development to the 
     troubled area; and
       (5) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to 
     support both governments in the implementation of the border 
     agreement.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).


                             general Leave

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Res. 25.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend our distinguished Subcommittee on the 
Western Hemisphere chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Gallegly), and his ranking minority member, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Menendez) for introducing this resolution. It is 
appropriate that the Congress should acknowledge and commend Peru and 
Ecuador for achieving a permanent settlement of the border dispute that 
has cost lives on both sides of the conflict for a number of decades, 
has lost too many people and has upset Andean regional harmony.
  Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori and Ecuadoran President Jamil 
Mahuad deserve credit for their personal leadership and courage in 
guiding their nations to establishing this peace agreement.
  The negotiation of the peace accord was made possible by the 
concerted diplomatic efforts of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and the United 
States acting as guarantors under the 1942 Rio Accord. The United 
States is very fortunate to have Ambassador Luigi Einaudi leading our 
efforts in support of this negotiation as our special envoy. His 
unparalleled skill and experience doubtlessly contributed mightily to 
this diplomatic success.
  The permanent resolution of the conflict between the nations of Peru 
and Ecuador also established an important precedent for regional 
cooperation. In response to the 1995 hostilities, the guarantor 
countries fielded the military observer mission, Ecuador/Peru known as 
MOMEP. The U.S. initially contributed helicopters and some 60 in 
personnel. In 1997, Brazil purchased four Blackhawk helicopters and 
took over MOMEP's air support operations.
  MOMEP's mission ended on June 30. This is certainly an appropriate 
moment to extend our sincere thanks to

[[Page 16561]]

the men and women from our military who have served the cause of peace 
so well in this remote part of South America, and a special word of 
thanks to the Government of Brazil for its leadership and substantial 
contribution to MOMEP is also in order.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on 
the Western Hemisphere, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman) who 
is an original cosponsor of this resolution, let me just say that we 
are pleased to see the House considering it today. The nearly 60-year-
old border dispute with Ecuador and Peru was the most dangerous 
unresolved border dispute in this entire hemisphere. Fighting in the 
border area, which erupted seriously in 1995, threatened to destabilize 
a region which already faces so many other challenges. This resolution 
commends the United States, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, countries 
which as guarantor parties helped to bring a 1995 cease-fire and 
facilitate negotiations for a permanent peace.
  First and foremost, it commends the Presidents and governments of 
Peru and Ecuador for negotiating a peace agreement that was signed last 
October, and since signing the peace agreement Ecuador and Peru have 
moved to implement the comprehensive agreement and to improve relations 
between its respective countries.
  A few weeks ago Presidents Fujimori and Mahuad met at the border to 
seal the agreement. They do still need our help. International support 
is needed for some elements of the peace settlement, especially an 
agreement on border integration and development. Manifestations of 
international support along the lines of what we are doing here today 
for the peace process will help to ensure its full implementation.
  But, Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if at the same time that we are 
congratulating Peru along with Ecuador for peace on their border I did 
not also mention some grave concerns that I and many colleagues in 
Congress have at this time regarding Peru. I am concerned about an 
erosion in Peru's democracy. Freedom of expression, judicial 
independence from the executive, and other aspects of the country's 
democracy have been threatened recently.
  I know we will have other opportunities in the near future to address 
these concerns, I know that they are concerns shared by our 
distinguished chairman of the committee. I would only urge Peru that 
while we today in the Congress congratulate and that while itself as 
the government congratulates itself and the Peruvian people for 
reaching peace with Ecuador, it also look inward and make sure that 
Peruvian peace and democracy are not threatened at home.
  Mr. GALLEGLY. I rise, as author of House Resolution 25 and as 
Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, in support of H. Res. 
25 which congratulates the governments of Ecuador and Peru for ending 
their long and violent border dispute.
  For as far back as Spanish colonial times, Ecuador and Peru have 
disagreed over the border separating their two countries. Ecuador had 
always hoped to maintain a border which would give them access to 
waterways to the Amazon River and a commercial link to the Atlantic. In 
1942 a Rio Protocol, which favored the Peruvian claim, was signed 
between the two nations and guaranteed by four nations including the 
United States. Despite the international guarantee, the dispute was 
never resolved.
  Over the course of the past 50 years, both countries have engaged in 
violent military clashes with the most recent one taking place in 1995 
resulting in dozens of deaths on both sides. In 1998, with both 
countries experiencing an economic downturn and both sides desiring to 
ease the military tensions, President Fujimori of Peru and newly 
elected President Mahuad of Ecuador decided to take matters into their 
own hands to resolve the crisis. After months of personal diplomacy by 
the two leaders, a final resolution was presented by the Guarantor 
nations and both Presidents signed the border agreement.
  H. Res. 25 recognizes the achievement of this peaceful resolution of 
the dispute and congratulates the personal diplomacy of both Presidents 
as being instrumental in resolving this issue. It also commends the 
work of the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Chile in helping to 
develop the final agreement.
  I want to thank the distinguished Chairman of the International 
Relations Committee, Ben Gilman, for helping to bring this measure to 
the Floor for consideration and I urge the House to pass this 
resolution.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 25.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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