[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16987]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          AMERICA'S SUPPORT SHOULD LIE WITH THE SAHRAWI PEOPLE

  (Mr. RIVERA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RIVERA. Mr. Speaker, like all of us in Congress, I believe in the 
greatness of the American people and the preeminence of our principles 
and rights that have made America a beacon of hope and freedom, but 
there are still many around the world who yearn for basic human 
liberties.
  The Sahrawi people of Western Sahara have been trapped in oppressive 
conditions for over 30 years, with the support of the corrupt Algerian 
Government and its puppet regime, the Polisario Front.
  The Polisario Front has instituted mass kidnappings of Sahrawis from 
their homes into the Tindouf region in western Algeria. The majority of 
these refugees have remained warehoused and imprisoned in Tindouf's 
sprawling camps for 35 years.
  The Polisario collaborates with the likes of Cuba, whose military 
rations food in the camps in exchange for loyalty to the regime and 
indoctrinates children who have been stolen from their parents, all 
while partnering with al Qaeda and the Maghreb.
  The Government of Morocco has advanced an autonomy plan, which I will 
submit at a later time, that addresses these issues with a clear and 
democratic solution to the long, drawn-out Sahara crisis. This is where 
America's support should lie.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States can and must continue to advance 
fundamental human rights, freedom, and democracy as we, in this 
Chamber, continue to work together for peace, justice, and human 
dignity in the Western Sahara.

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