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[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 222 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 222

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 29, 1998

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
      Expressing the sense of Congress, congratulating the former 
 International Support and Verification Commission of the Organization 
of American States (OAS-CIAV) for successfully aiding in the transition 
of Nicaragua from a war-ridden state into a newly formed democracy and 
  providing continued support through the recently created Technical 
   Cooperation Mission (OAS-TCM) which is responsible for helping to 
 stabilize Nicaraguan democracy by supplementing institution building.

Whereas the Organization of American States International Support and 
        Verification Commission (OAS-CIAV) was established August 7, 1989, for 
        the purpose of overseeing assisting in the repatriation, disarmament, 
        resettlement, and protection of human rights of the Nicaraguan 
        resistance and their families;
Whereas the OAS-CIAV, successfully demobilized 22,500 members of the Nicaraguan 
        resistance and distributed food and humanitarian assistance to more than 
        119,000 repatriated Nicaraguans prior to July 1991;
Whereas the OAS-CIAV successfully investigated and documented more than 1,800 
        human rights violations, including numerous murders and presented these 
        cases to Nicaraguan authorities, following and advocating justice in 
        each case;
Whereas the OAS-CIAV helped demobilize rearmed contras and Sandinistas, as well 
        as apolitical criminal groups, and recently brokered and mediated the 
        successful May 1997 negotiations between the Government of Nicaragua and 
        the largest rearmed group;
Whereas the OAS-CIAV created 86 peace commissions and has provided assistance 
        and extensive training in human rights and alternative dispute 
        resolution for their members, who are currently mediating conflicts, 
        including kidnaping and demobilization of rearmed groups, in every 
        municipality of the zones of conflict;
Whereas the OAS-CIAV successfully provided critically needed infrastructure and 
        humanitarian assistance including aid for Nicaraguan schools, roads, and 
        health clinics; and
Whereas a new Organization of American States Technical Cooperation Mission 
        (OAS-TCM) has been created to expand upon the mission of the OAS-CIAV by 
        providing institution building resources in municipal government 
        development, social work, and civic education in the twelve most 
        conflictive municipalities in Nicaragua: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) commends and congratulates Santiago Murray, the first 
        OAS-CIAV Director, and Sergio Caramagna, the current director 
        of the OAS-TCM, and all members of the OAS-CIAV and OAS-TCM 
        team for their tireless defense of human rights, promotion of 
        peaceful conflict resolution, and contribution to the 
        development of freedom and democracy in Nicaragua; and
            (2) expresses its support for the continuation of the role 
        of the OAS-TCM in Nicaragua.

            Passed the House of Representatives April 28, 1998.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.
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