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103D CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 250

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

AUGUST 10 (legislative day, AUGUST 8), 1994

Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress in support of efforts

by the Government of Mexico, and the major political

parties and concerned members of civic society in Mexico,

to reform Mexico’s political and electoral processes and

ensure free and fair elections.

Whereas the United States and Mexico share a common border;

Whereas the people of the United States and the people of

Mexico have extensive cultural and historical ties that

bind together families and communities across national

boundaries;
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Whereas a close relationship between the United States and

Mexico, based on mutual respect and understanding, is

important to the people of both nations;

Whereas the North American Free Trade Agreement, which

is designed to increase trade, promote expanded economic

activity, and enhance cooperation on issues of mutual interest among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, entered into force on January 1, 1994;

Whereas the implementation of the North American Free

Trade Agreement presents new opportunities for an even

closer relationship among the United States, Canada and

Mexico;

Whereas this relationship will be furthered by free and fair

elections in Mexico on August 21, 1994;

Whereas Mexican leaders from across the political spectrum

and representatives of civic society recognized the need

for political and electoral reform and have taken steps to

achieve these goals;

Whereas recent reforms being implemented in Mexico seek to

overcome previous assertions of electoral irregularities

which have been highlighted by civil demonstrations and

political unrest;

Whereas in January 1994, Mexico’s major political parties

joined together in an agreement, known as the Agreement for Peace, Democracy, and Justice, designed to reform Mexico’s electoral system and to establish procedures for free and fair elections;

Whereas the Federal Electoral Institute has invited representatives of the United Nations to provide technical

assistance and financing to domestic Mexican election ob-
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servers who request this support to help foster their independence, nonpartisanship, and objectivity; and

Whereas the spirit of the North American Free Trade Agreement facilitates cooperation in achieving high standards

of democracy: Now, therefore be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) expresses its support for efforts undertaken

4 by the Government of Mexico, the major political

5 parties, and civic groups to reform Mexico’s political

6 and electoral processes and for their ongoing efforts

7 to ensure free and fair elections;

8 (2) welcomes steps taken in recent months by

9 the Mexican Government and the nation’s political

10 parties to increase the impartiality of the Federal

11 electoral authorities, review the accuracy of the voter

12 registry list, ensure fair media access, and reform

13 campaign finance practices, in accordance with the

14 commitments enumerated in the January 1994

15 Agreement for Peace, Democracy, and Justice, and

16 encourages continued progress on electoral reform;

17 (3) applauds the invitation extended by the

18 Government of Mexico, with the concurrence of the

19 major political parties and concerned members of

20 civic society, to representatives of the United Na21 tions to provide technical assistance and financing to
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1 domestic Mexican election observers, and encourages

2 representatives of the United Nations to work closely

3 and directly with Mexican observers during the elec4 toral process;

5 (4) takes note of the efforts of the Mexican do6 mestic observer groups to encourage citizen partici7 pation throughout the electoral process and to con8 tribute to the success of this process by serving as

9 monitors during the August 21, 1994, presidential

10 and congressional elections;

11 (5) welcomes the opportunity made available by

12 the Mexican Congress for international visitors to be

13 present during and to witness such elections; and

14 (6) expresses the hope that the efforts of the

15 Government of Mexico, the major political parties,

16 and concerned members of civic society to reform

17 the electoral process will be successful, and lead to

18 elections that are accepted by all parties as fair and

19 valid.

Passed the House of Representatives August 8,

1994.

Attest: DONNALD K. ANDERSON,

Clerk.