IV

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. RES. 610

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the people of

the Republic of Mozambique are to be commended for their commitment

to rebuilding their nation after years of civil war, their willingness to

live together harmoniously despite sharp political differences, and their

ability to overcome poverty, health crises, and refugee outflows to build

a growing economy and a positive future for their country.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

OCTOBER 20, 1998

Ms. MCKINNEY submitted the following resolution; which was considered and

agreed to

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that

the people of the Republic of Mozambique are to be

commended for their commitment to rebuilding their nation after years of civil war, their willingness to live

together harmoniously despite sharp political differences,

and their ability to overcome poverty, health crises, and

refugee outflows to build a growing economy and a positive future for their country.

Whereas the Republic of Mozambique suffered from armed

conflict for 30 years, first against Portuguese colonialism

and then a brutal civil war between the FRELIMO government and RENAMO rebels;
2

•HRES 610 ATH

Whereas up to one-third of Mozambique’s 17,000,000 people

were forced to flee their homes as refugees or internal

displaced persons as a result of the civil war;

Whereas the two sides to the civil conflict reached a peace accord in 1992 and democratic elections were held in 1994

with the participation of all major political groups;

Whereas both the government of President Joachim Alberto

Chissano and opposition parties have participated positively in Mozambique’s representative democracy;

Whereas both the government and the opposition have made

considerable strides in building a defense force that is

representative of the Mozambican people;

Whereas Mozambique has rejected its communist economic

policies, embraced free market principles, privatized

many state enterprises, encouraged foreign investment

and now enjoys one of Africa’s highest economic growth

rates at 8 percent per year; and

Whereas Mozambique is a fertile market for United States

investment and trade: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) recognizes the achievements of the

3 Mozambican people in overcoming political and eco4 nomic obstacles to become a model of reconciliation

5 and development;

6 (2) applauds those who have led Mozambique

7 toward political reconciliation and away from armed

8 conflict;
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•HRES 610 ATH

1 (3) commends the people of Mozambique for

2 continuing to support democracy and democratic in3 stitutions;

4 (4) calls upon United States Government agen5 cies to continue to work with their Mozambican

6 counterparts in forging a close bilateral relationship;

7 (5) calls on the Government of Mozambique to

8 continue to be a model of democracy, economic liber9 alization, and respect for human rights; and

10 (6) calls those nations in the world torn by civil

11 strife to look toward the example of Mozambique for

12 the benefits of political reconciliation and peaceful

13 economic development.

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