The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“VIOLENCE IN ALGERIA” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S278-S279 on Feb. 2, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
VIOLENCE IN ALGERIA
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, few weeks pass when there is not a report of an appalling atrocity in Algeria. The testimony of eyewitnesses echo the same refrain--a tale of slaughter, decapitation, mutilation, burning, and shooting of innocent men, women, and children. Thousands of civilians have fled their homes as the violence has escalated, but the protection and safety they seek is difficult, if not impossible to find.
The reaction of the international community has not been one of outrage and alarm, but a quiet, almost uneasy expression of concern. It is almost as though the reports are too grisly, too horrific to even broach--as though by addressing the subject and opening it up to scrutiny, one will somehow be tainted by the extreme levels of violence and degradation. However, the subject must be addressed and a credible investigation must be carried out.
Time and again around the world, we have seen the needless suffering that occurs when governments and the world community as a whole are too slow to shoulder their mantle of moral responsibility. The crisis in Algeria presents another opportunity to change this pattern and set a new standard for the next century.
Mr. President, on January 26, 1998, fifteen Members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, Senators and Representatives, sent a letter to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on the tragic situation in Algeria. I ask that the text of the letter be printed in the Record.
The letter follows:
Washington, DC,
January 26, 1998.Hon. Madeleine Albright,Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Secretary: We are writing to express our alarm concerning the recent massacres in Algeria, which have brought the toll of those killed in the five-year civil war to an estimated 80,000 persons, mostly civilians. The Algerian Government has consistently failed to adequately investigate the atrocities and bring those responsible to justice. The administration's call for an international inquiry is an appropriate and necessary first step in responding to this crisis.
Since the civil war erupted in 1992, extremist opposition groups have increased their attacks on innocent people. The tactics of these groups rank among the most inhumane seen anywhere. While their conduct should be strongly condemned, there are persistent reports that Algerian security forces have failed to stop or prevent the massacres or to arrest those involved. Eyewitnesses to the violence report that terrorist groups have operated in collusion with, and under the protection of, units or factions of the army, police, and state-armed militias. According to human rights monitors, no one has been arrested by Algerian authorities in connection with a series of bloody attacks that occurred in August and September leaving hundreds of civilians dead. Algerian authorities have made no effort to explain why army and police garrisons located nearby failed to intervene. Since then, the frequency and brutality of the attacks have only increased--over 1,000 Algerian civilians have reportedly been killed in the last month alone.
Little progress was made during a January 20, 1998 diplomatic mission led by British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr. Derek Fatchett. Algerian President Liamine Zeroual has reportedly denounced international expressions of concern about possible official complicity in the killings. In addition, the ability of human rights organizations and the media to look into allegations of abuses has been increasingly limited by the Algerian Government and details about armed attacks are often censored.
We believe it is essential that the administration take an active and visible role in ensuring that an international investigation occurs in an expedient and effective manner with the necessary political and logistical support. We urge the administration to sponsor a resolution calling for such an inquiry to ascertain the facts and make recommendations at the March 1998 meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva. We further urge that the administration send a clear message of support for this initiative in public as well as in diplomatic contacts with Algeria and other governments.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Patrick Leahy, Senator; Sam Brownback, Senator; Paul D.
Wellstone, Senator; Nancy Pelosi, Representative;
Robert Torricelli, Senator; Edward Kennedy, Senator;
Frank R. Lautenberg, Senator; Tom Lantos,
Representative; Chris Smith, Representative; Robert
Wexler, Representative; James M. Jeffords, Senator,
Dianne Feinstein, Senator; Dick Durbin, Senator;
Russell Feingold, Senator; Tom Harkin, Senator.
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