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“THE UNITED STATES-LIBYA RELATIONS ACT OF 2005” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E517-E518 on March 20, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE UNITED STATES-LIBYA RELATIONS ACT OF 2005
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HON. TOM LANTOS
of california
in the house of representatives
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I introduced the United States-Libya Relations Act of 2005. I am proud to have authored this bill, which I believe will fortify a historic change in Libyan policies and will strengthen relations between the United States and Libya.
In December 2003, Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi made a path breaking decision. He decided to dismantle Libya's weapons of mass destruction and turn them over to his longtime nemesis, the United States, and to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). With that decision, Col. Qadhafi fundamentally changed the regional security situation, his nation's diplomatic standing, and the economic outlook for the Libyan people.
And, most important, he established a model for other rogue nations around the world to follow. While the Libya breakthrough is significant in its own right, it has much broader implications. If the United States can convince other nations to follow Libya's example, we can fundamentally improve our own national security, strengthen international security and improve the daily lives of millions.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to see the Administration take full strategic advantage of this historic opportunity.
When Libya announced that it was renouncing WMD, President Bush said,
``Leaders who abandon the pursuit of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, and the means to deliver them, will find an open path to better relations with the United States and other free nations.''
Now we need to do a better job of implementing the President's pledge. We need to promote the ``Libya model'' as an example for U.S. relations with proliferator states such as North Korea and Iran.
Proliferators must understand that a definitive end to their efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction will bring a new era of positive relations with the United States. And the whole world must see that the United States keeps its word to improve relations and work with those states who abandon their illegal weapons programs. It is my sincere belief that other nations can be encouraged to follow the Libya example, but we must be certain that Libya's experience is positive and that its dramatic reversal in policy is rewarded.
While we have taken some actions that respond positively to Libya's gesture, but we have not done as much as is warranted by the magnitude and historic nature of this opportunity.
That is why, Mr. Speaker, I have introduced the ``United States-Libya Relations Act of 2005.'' This legislation is intended to: reinforce U.S. and Libyan commitments to one another; strengthen bilateral relations; facilitate the integration of Libya into the international community; and encourage positive change in Libyan society.
This bill fully implements the President's promise that countries that relinquish weapons of mass destruction will find an ``open path'' to better relations with the United States. The legislation foresees a variety of benefits for Libya--support for U.S. investment and trade with Libya, increased educational exchanges and other forms of people-
to-people contacts, and an end to the political and economic isolation of Libya.
This legislation puts the U.S. Congress squarely on record as supporting the President's policy, affirming that Libya's decision to abandon weapons of mass destruction ``marks an unprecedented step'' that ``suggests a model approach for other countries'' that abandon their pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
There are two types of regime change. A regime can be changed by others through the use of force. On the other hand, a regime can change its policies without changing its leadership. Rogue states need to know that both options are on the table. I want this bill to serve as a beacon for rogue nations that want to come in from the cold--that want to end their isolation and impoverishment, as Colonel Qadhafi did.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that this bill may raise questions in two--
regards terrorism and human rights. First, as we all know, Libya remains on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism. But it is my understanding, based on conversations with numerous U.S. government officials and a statement made yesterday by Undersecretary of State William Burns before the International Relations Committee, that since at least December 2003 Libya has not supported international terrorist groups, and, in fact, that it has been very helpful to us in fighting the global war on terrorism. Let me make clear that my bill does not call on the Administration to remove Libya from the terrorism list before it is warranted by the facts and ongoing discussions between our government and officials of the Libyan government.
Second, as my colleagues in the Congress know, I have a lifelong commitment to human rights, and my legislation emphasizes the importance of supporting human rights and democratic values in Libya both through dialogue and through deed. This legislation is unwavering in its commitment to American values of human rights and democracy, but, in the interest of promoting the Libyan model and enhancing international security, we should not put bilateral relations on ice until respect for human rights and democracy have been fully achieved.
Mr. Speaker, it is right and appropriate for the United States to offer proliferators an opportunity to change their policies and benefit from doing what is in their and our best interest. Now we must make sure we follow through on President Bush's pledge that countries which relinquish weapons of mass destruction will find an ``open path'' to better relations with the United States. That is the spirit that motivated his response to Libyan renunciation of weapons of mass destruction in December 2003, and that is exactly the spirit that motivates the US-Libya Relations Act which I am introducing today.
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