III

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. RES. 314

Expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the violence, breakdown of

rule of law, and troubled pre-election period in the Republic of Zimbabwe.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

MAY 25, 2000

Mr. MCCAIN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the

Committee on Foreign Relations

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the violence,

breakdown of rule of law, and troubled pre-election period in the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Whereas people around the world supported the Republic of

Zimbabwe’s quest for independence, majority rule, and

the protection of human rights and the rule of law;

Whereas Zimbabwe, at the time of independence in 1980,

showed bright prospects for democracy, economic development, and racial reconciliation;

Whereas the people of Zimbabwe are now suffering the destabilizing effects of a serious, government-sanctioned breakdown in the rule of law, which is critical to economic development as well as domestic tranquility;
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•SRES 314 IS

Whereas a free and fair national referendum was held in

Zimbabwe in February 2000 in which voters rejected proposed constitutional amendments to increase the president’s authorities to expropriate land without payment;

Whereas the President of Zimbabwe has defied two high

court decisions declaring land seizures to be illegal;

Whereas previous land reform efforts have been ineffective

largely due to corrupt practices and inefficiencies within

the Government of Zimbabwe;

Whereas recent violence in Zimbabwe has resulted in several

murders and brutal attacks on innocent individuals, including the murder of farm workers and owners;

Whereas violence has been directed toward individuals of all

races;

Whereas the ruling party and its supporters have specifically

directed violence at democratic reform activists seeking to

prepare for upcoming parliamentary elections;

Whereas the offices of a leading independent newspaper in

Zimbabwe have been bombed;

Whereas the Government of Zimbabwe has not yet publicly

condemned the recent violence;

Whereas President Mugabe’s statement that thousands of

law-abiding citizens are enemies of the state has further

incited violence;

Whereas 147 out of 150 members of the Parliament in

Zimbabwe (98 percent) belong to the same political

party;

Whereas the unemployment rate in Zimbabwe now exceeds 60

percent and political turmoil is on the brink of destroying

Zimbabwe’s economy;
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•SRES 314 IS

Whereas the economy is being further damaged by the Government of Zimbabwe’s ongoing involvement in the war

in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;

Whereas the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization has issued a warning that Zimbabwe faces a food

emergency due to shortages caused by violence against

farmers and farm workers; and

Whereas events in Zimbabwe could threaten stability and economic development in the entire region: Now, therefore,

be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate—

2 (1) extends its support to the vast majority of

3 citizens of the Republic of Zimbabwe who are com4 mitted to peace, economic prosperity, and an open,

5 transparent parliamentary election process;

6 (2) strongly urges the Government of Zimbabwe

7 to enforce the rule of law and fulfill its responsibility

8 to protect the political and civil rights of all citizens;

9 (3) supports those international efforts to assist

10 with land reform which are consistent with accepted

11 principles of international law and which take place

12 after the holding of free and fair parliamentary elec13 tions;

14 (4) condemns government-directed violence

15 against farm workers, farmers, and opposition party

16 members;
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•SRES 314 IS

1 (5) encourages the local media, civil society,

2 and all political parties to work together toward a

3 campaign environment conducive to free, trans4 parent and fair elections within the legally pre5 scribed period;

6 (6) recommends international support for voter

7 education, domestic and international election moni8 toring, and violence monitoring activities;

9 (7) urges the United States to continue to mon10 itor violence and condemn brutality against law

11 abiding citizens;

12 (8) congratulates all the democratic reform ac13 tivists in Zimbabwe for their resolve to bring about

14 political change peacefully, even in the face of vio15 lence and intimidation; and

16 (9) desires a lasting, warm, and mutually bene17 ficial relationship between the United States and a

18 democratic, peaceful Zimbabwe.

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