IV
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. RES. 361
Calling for free and impartial elections in Cambodia.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 12, 1998
Mr. BEREUTER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on International Relations
RESOLUTION
Calling for free and impartial elections in Cambodia.
Whereas Cambodia continues to recover from years of politi-
cal conflict, civil war, the era of Khmer Rouge genocide,
and subsequent foreign invasion;
Whereas the 1991 Paris Peace Accords contributed signifi-
cantly to a process of political accommodation, national
conciliation, and the establishment of a state based on
democratic ideals;
Whereas the people of Cambodia overwhelmingly dem-
onstrated their support for the democratic process
through the participation of over 93 percent of eligible
voters in the United Nations-sponsored 1993 elections;
Whereas the commitment of the Cambodian people to democ-
racy and stability is reflected in the national constitution
guaranteeing fundamental human rights;
•HRES 361 IH
Whereas the international donor community has supported
the democratic process in Cambodia by contributing over
$3,000,000,000 to peacekeeping and national reconstruc-
tion efforts;
Whereas notwithstanding the notable societal and economic
reforms made subsequent to the 1993 elections, tensions
within the Cambodian Government continued to mount,
culminating in the July 5, 1997, military coup by which
Second Prime Minister Hun Sen deposed the duly elected
First Prime Minister Prince Ranariddh;
Whereas the Hun Sen government has yet to adequately in-
vestigate the killings and human rights abuses which oc-
curred at the time of the July 5, 1997, and which were
detailed in the August 21, 1997, Hammarberg report;
Whereas Second Prime Minister Hun Sen made a commit-
ment to the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights (UNCHR) to extend the mandate of
UNCHR;
Whereas an ongoing atmosphere of intimidation has pre-
vented many of the political exiles who have returned to
Cambodia from carrying out their activities in prepara-
tion for the election scheduled for July 26 without fear;
Whereas questions remain concerning the independence and
impartiality of the newly created National Election Com-
mission;
Whereas the inability of First Prime Minister Prince
Ranariddh, whose party won the 1993 election, to return
to Cambodia without fear of a trial creates an unneces-
sary obstacle to his political participation and calls into
serious question the possibility of a credible election; and
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Whereas the European Union has unwisely decided to provide
$11,500,000 in aid to the Hun Sen regime to prepare for
the July election in the absence of conditions that would
allow a credible election: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) calls upon the Cambodian Government—
(A) to fully implement the Paris Peace Ac-
cords;
(B) to enforce the rule of law and fully
protect human rights, including a thorough in-
vestigation of the extrajudicial killings and
human rights abuses which occurred following
the July 5, 1997, coup and punishment of those
involved;
(C) to restore a nonviolent and neutral po-
litical atmosphere, including participation in ne-
gotiations to lead to an immediate cease-fire;
(D) to allow all exiled opposition leaders,
including First Premier Ranariddh, to return to
Cambodia and to engage in political activity
without fear of political or physical reprisal;
and
(E) to take further measures to create
mechanisms to help ensure a credible election,
including a truly independent and impartial
election commission and provisions to allow do-
•HRES 361 IH
mestic and international observers to monitor
the entire election process;
(2) calls upon the European Union to recon-
sider its decision to provide assistance to the election
process until such time as genuinely free and fair
elections can be conducted;
(3) urges the Secretary of State to continue to
provide support through appropriate nongovern-
mental organizations to the courageous Cambodian
human rights workers who persevere in their dif-
ficulty task, despite the considerable risk at which
they put themselves; and
(4) calls upon the Secretary of State to work
with members of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations and with members of the Donors Group in
urging the Cambodian Government to create the
conditions which would guarantee a free and fair
election.
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