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Whereas a close relationship between the United States and
Mexico, based on mutual respect and understanding, is
important to the people of both nations;
Whereas the North American Free Trade Agreement, which
is designed to increase trade, promote expanded economic
activity, and enhance cooperation on issues of mutual in-
terest among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, en-
tered into force on January 1, 1994;
Whereas the implementation of the North American Free
Trade Agreement presents new opportunities for an even
closer relationship among the United States, Canada and
Mexico;
Whereas this relationship will be furthered by free and fair
elections in Mexico on August 21, 1994;
Whereas Mexican leaders from across the political spectrum
and representatives of civic society recognized the need
for political and electoral reform and have taken steps to
achieve these goals;
Whereas recent reforms being implemented in Mexico seek to
overcome previous assertions of electoral irregularities
which have been highlighted by civil demonstrations and
political unrest;
Whereas in January 1994, Mexico’s major political parties
joined together in an agreement, known as the Agree-
ment for Peace, Democracy, and Justice, designed to re-
form Mexico’s electoral system and to establish proce-
dures for free and fair elections;
Whereas the Federal Electoral Institute has invited rep-
resentatives of the United Nations to provide technical
assistance and financing to domestic Mexican election ob-
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servers who request this support to help foster their inde-
pendence, nonpartisanship, and objectivity; and
Whereas the spirit of the North American Free Trade Agree-
ment facilitates cooperation in achieving high standards
of democracy: Now, therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) expresses its support for efforts undertaken
by the Government of Mexico, the major political
parties, and civic groups to reform Mexico’s political
and electoral processes and for their ongoing efforts
to ensure free and fair elections;
(2) welcomes steps taken in recent months by
the Mexican Government and the nation’s political
parties to increase the impartiality of the Federal
electoral authorities, review the accuracy of the voter
registry list, ensure fair media access, and reform
campaign finance practices, in accordance with the
commitments enumerated in the January 1994
Agreement for Peace, Democracy, and Justice, and
encourages continued progress on electoral reform;
(3) applauds the invitation extended by the
Government of Mexico, with the concurrence of the
major political parties and concerned members of
civic society, to representatives of the United Na-
tions to provide technical assistance and financing to
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domestic Mexican election observers, and encourages
representatives of the United Nations to work closely
and directly with Mexican observers during the elec-
toral process;
(4) takes note of the efforts of the Mexican do-
mestic observer groups to encourage citizen partici-
pation throughout the electoral process and to con-
tribute to the success of this process by serving as
monitors during the August 21, 1994, presidential
and congressional elections;
(5) welcomes the opportunity made available by
the Mexican Congress for international visitors to be
present during and to witness such elections; and
(6) expresses the hope that the efforts of the
Government of Mexico, the major political parties,
and concerned members of civic society to reform
the electoral process will be successful, and lead to
elections that are accepted by all parties as fair and
valid.
Passed the House of Representatives August 8,
1994.
Attest:
Clerk.