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RESOLUTION
Congratulating the people of
Mozambique on their successful efforts to establish, build, and
maintain peace in their country for the past ten years, and for
other purposes.
Whereas, on October 4, 1992,
having overcome the hardships of a colonial struggle,
decolonization, and armed regional and national conflict, the
people of Mozambique, the parties to the civil war in
Mozambique, and the leadership of Mozambique reached a peaceful
settlement to the devastating 16-year civil war;
Whereas this peace was
facilitated by the good offices of the Comunit� di Sant'Egidio
in Rome and supported by regional friends and the international
community;
Whereas in 1994 and 1999
Mozambique held multi-party elections deemed free and fair by
the international community;
Whereas this peace has been
consolidated and strengthened by Mozambique civil society,
helping to keep the Government of Mozambique on a course of
political and economic reforms despite the challenges currently
presented by HIV/AIDS, floods, droughts, and regional
instability;
Whereas the Government of
Mozambique has initiated sound economic reforms, including the
privatization of state-run enterprises, the reduction and
simplification of import tariffs, and the liberalization of
agricultural markets, resulting in extraordinary economic
growth;
Whereas the resources that have
become available by Mozambique's participation in the Highly
Indebted Poor Countries Initiative have been responsibly
channeled by the Government of Mozambique into anti-poverty
programs;
Whereas, despite the progress
that Mozambique has made, more than one-half of the people of
Mozambique over 15 years of age are illiterate, twenty-eight
percent of the children under five are malnourished, infant
mortality stands at more than 12 percent, and life expectancy is
only 42 years;
Whereas the United States values
democratic principles, the rule of law, peace, and stability in
all nations that comprise the community of states; and
Whereas Mozambique has been
transformed from a war-torn country to one where political
disputes are settled through peaceful means: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved,
That the Senate--
(1)
congratulates the people of Mozambique on ten years of continued
peace and growing democracy and commends the Government of
Mozambique for continued economic and political reforms;
(2)
salutes the Comunit� di Sant' Egidio for using its good offices
to facilitate and mediate the peace process that led to the
October 4, 1992, agreement;
(3)
recognizes the indispensable role that civil society in
Mozambique has played in both achieving peace and deepening
democratic reforms; and
(4)
stands ready to assist the Government of Mozambique on a variety
of programs, including humanitarian and development assistance,
HIV/AIDS prevention, and technical assistance to fight
corruption.
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