[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 23497]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 23497]]

   SUPPORTING EFFORTS OF BOLIVIA'S DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Foreign 
Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 
375, and the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.


  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 375) supporting the efforts of 
     Bolivia's democratically elected government.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the 
resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 375) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 375

       Whereas the stability of democracy in Latin America and the 
     eradication of illegal narcotics from the Andean nations are 
     vital national security interests of the United States;
       Whereas the democratically elected Government of Bolivia 
     has taken dramatic steps to eradicate illegal narcotics under 
     the Dignity Plan, resulting in the elimination of 80 percent 
     of the illegal coca crop in just two years, a record of 
     achievement unmatched worldwide;
       Whereas the Government of Bolivia is now approaching the 
     completion of coca eradication in the Chapare and will begin 
     eradication operations in the Yungas regions in 2002;
       Whereas there are indications that narcotics traffickers 
     from outside Bolivia are stepping up efforts to keep a 
     foothold in Bolivia by agitating among the rural poor and 
     indigenous populations, creating civil disturbances, 
     blockading roads, organizing strikes and protests, and taking 
     actions designed to force the Government of Bolivia to 
     abandon its aggressive counter narcotics campaign; and
       Whereas the government of Bolivian President Hugo Banzer 
     Suarez has shown remarkable restraint in dealing with the 
     protesters through dialogue and openness while respecting 
     human rights: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That (a) the Senate calls upon the Government of 
     Bolivia to continue its successful program of coca 
     eradication and looks forward to the Government of Bolivia 
     achieving its commitment to the total eradication of illegal 
     coca in Bolivia by the end of 2002.
       (b) It is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the United States, as a full partner in Bolivia's 
     efforts to build democracy, to eradicate illegal narcotics, 
     and to reduce poverty through development and economic 
     growth, should fully support the democratically elected 
     Government of Bolivia;
       (2) the release of emergency supplemental assistance 
     already approved by the United States for sustainable 
     development activities in Bolivia should be accelerated;
       (3) on a priority basis, the President should look for 
     additional ways to provide increased tangible support to the 
     people and Government of Bolivia;
       (4) the Government of Bolivia should continue to respect 
     the human rights of all of its citizens and continue to 
     discuss legitimate concerns of Bolivia's rural population; 
     and
       (5) indigenous leaders should enter into discussions with 
     the government on issues of concern and cease provocative 
     acts that could lead to escalating violence.
       Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to the President.

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