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106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 128
Concerning paramilitary groups and British security forces in Northern
Ireland.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 6, 1999
Mr. ENGEL introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on International Relations
A BILL
Concerning paramilitary groups and British security forces
in Northern Ireland.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) it is the policy of the United States Govern-
ment to promote peace and reconciliation between
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in ac-
cordance with the Anglo-Irish Accord of November
15, 1985;
(2) the United States has sought through diplo-
macy and economic support to foster this reconcili-
ation process;
(3) reports of collusion between United King-
dom security forces and illegal paramilitary groups
raise serious questions about the respect for human
rights of minorities in Northern Ireland;
(4) Amnesty International has repeatedly asked
the British Government to establish an independent
judicial inquiry into the procedures used to inves-
tigate killings by security forces since 1980;
(5) the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
states that all are equal before the law and are enti-
tled without any discrimination to equal protection
under the law;
(6) killings of civilians by paramilitary groups
raise serious concern for the respect for the rule of
law in Northern Ireland; and
(7) the Republic of Ireland has expressed con-
cern about the links between paramilitary groups
and security forces in Northern Ireland.
SEC. 2. STATEMENTS OF POLICY.
The Congress—
(1) deplores all acts of violence directed at the
civilian population in Northern Ireland including
extrajudicial killings;
(2) calls upon the President to urge the Gov-
ernment of the United Kingdom—
(A) to take immediate measures to halt all
cooperation with the Ulster Freedom Fighters,
the Ulster Volunteer Force, the Ulster Defense
Association, and any other paramilitary organi-
zation or militia which is not officially sanc-
tioned to maintain law and order; and
(B) to establish an independent judicial in-
quiry into the killing of civilians by security
forces since 1980; and
(3) calls upon the President to communicate to
the highest levels of the Government of the United
Kingdom grave concern about the United Kingdom’s
policy of resuming military service of soldiers who
have been convicted of serious crimes related to the
administration of justice in Northern Ireland.
SEC. 3. BAN ON SALES OF MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCE-
MENT ITEMS TO THE ROYAL ULSTER CON-
STABULARY, THE ULSTER DEFENSE REGI-
MENT, THE ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT, AND
CERTAIN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) 
GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT
MILITARY
SALES.—Defense articles may not be sold under the Arms
Export Control Act to or for any organization specified
in subsection (d).
(b) COMMERCIAL MILITARY SALES.—A license may
not be issued under section 36(c) of the Arms Export Con-
trol Act for the export of any defense article for use by
any organization specified in subsection (d).
(c) LAW ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT.—Items des-
ignated as crime control and detection instruments and
equipment for purposes of section 6(n) of the Export Ad-
ministration Act of 1979 may not be exported for use by
any organization specified in subsection (d).
(d) INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.—Subsections (a),
(b), and (c) apply with respect to the Royal Ulster Con-
stabulary, the Ulster Defense Regiment, the Royal Irish
Regiment, and any other organization in which anyone
who previously was a member of the Royal Ulster Con-
stabulary, the Ulster Defense Regiment, the Royal Irish
Regiment, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, the Ulster Volun-
teer Force, the Ulster Defense Association, or any other
paramilitary association is a member.
SEC. 4. REPORT ON BRITISH COOPERATION WITH PARA-
MILITARY GROUPS IN NORTHERN IRELAND.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the
Committee on International Relations of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations
of the Senate a report, in both classified and unclassified
form, on cooperation between United Kingdom security
forces and militias and paramilitary groups in Northern
Ireland.
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