H. Res. 374

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

April 28, 1998.

Whereas in January 1992 Algeria annulled the second round

of parliamentary elections;

Whereas the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), which favored

the creation of a theocratic state, expected to win in

those parliamentary elections;

Whereas the suspension of the Algerian elections in January

1992 triggered an escalation of terrorism;

Whereas the Islamic Salvation Army (AIS), the armed wing

of FIS, started terrorist activities in the wake of the annulled elections, but has since declared a unilateral ceasefire;

Whereas the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), a nonpolitical radical Islamic movement, has been responsible for carrying

out terrorist activities, particularly since the AIS ceasefire;

Whereas the United States Government has listed the GIA as

a foreign terrorist organization;

Whereas tens of thousands of Algerians have lost their lives

since the onset of the violence in 1992, with hundreds estimated to have lost their lives in the holy month of

Ramadan that ended in January 1998;
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Whereas the violence perpetrated by terrorists has become increasingly barbaric, leaving thousands of innocent civilians, particularly women and children, dead or injured;

Whereas the Government of Algeria has not agreed to the establishment of an international inquiry into the massacres;

Whereas the democratic process has progressed in Algeria despite the current terrorist activity; and

Whereas the United States has a strong interest in seeing the

development of a democratic and peaceful Algeria: Now,

therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) strongly condemns the Armed Islamic Group

(GIA) and any other terrorist groups responsible for the

atrocities being committed in Algeria;

(2) condemns the perpetrators of violence and other

crimes against the fundamental human rights of Algerians;

(3) urges those who continue to engage in violence

and the fundamental abuse of human rights to discontinue such activity;

(4) calls on the Government of Algeria to take all

necessary and legal steps to prevent violence and stop it

once it occurs;

(5) encourages the Government of Algeria to cooperate with the international community to ensure

transparency in the investigation and combating of ter-
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rorist activity, including the use of objective investigators

into the massacres;

(6) acknowledges that the Government of Algeria

has made progress toward democratization and urges the

government to engage in dialogue with all elements of

Algerian society who have renounced violence, in order to

further democracy and promote the rule of law;

(7) urges the United States Government to continue

to work closely with the Government of Algeria to bring

about the development and implementation of political

and economic reforms as well as the full restoration of

law and order in Algeria;

(8) encourages the European Union and the Government of Algeria to further their cooperation against

terrorism; and

(9) encourages the Algerian Government to accept

the appointment of a Special Rapporteur by the United

Nations or another qualified independent organization to

conduct an inquiry into the violations of human rights

in Algeria.

Attest:

Clerk.