rian Government to support the appointment of the U.N.-appointed Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Algeria.

Earlier this month the Congressional Human Rights Caucus sent a letter to Secretary Albright in which we asked that the United States introduce a resolution at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights to appoint a Special Rapporteur for Algeria. There is no question in my mind that the armed Islamic fundamentalist groups like the Armed Islamic Group and the Islamic Salvation Front are directly responsible for most of the horrific attacks against civilians in Algeria. Yet I am concerned about the absence of civilian protection and the refusal to allow relief assistance to reach victims of violence or to permit a U.N. Special Rapporteur to conduct missions in the country.

The United States and the international community have attempted to reach out to Algeria to offer assistance and guidance, but they have been largely rebuked. Algeria's efforts to handle this crisis internally have been ineffective. Progress will require Algeria opening up to the world. This means allowing the United Nations and other bodies to look at what is happening inside Algeria.

And I want to echo Mr. Hastings' remarks that there are some of us, I believe, who should go to Algeria in this respect. Since the fundamentalists are accountable to no one, the onus for action by necessity falls 100 percent on the Algerian Government. While the government may not be responsible for the violence which plagues Algeria, it is responsible for undertaking steps to lead the country toward reconciliation and ultimately peace.

Only the government can start the process which will make 1998 the last year of bloodshed and the first year in many of stability, peace, and economic prosperity to Algeria. I understand our office is talking with Mr. Chabot about this amendment. I understand he is amenable to it. And I urge adoption of it and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HAMILTON. Would the gentleman yield?

Mr. MENENDEZ. I would be happy to yield to the ranking

Mr. HAMILTON. I just want to thank him for offering the amendment. I think what has been lacking here is a credible verification, independent verification of the facts in Algeria. The gentleman's amendment goes to that point. It is a very worthy amendment. I support it. And, Mr. Chairman, while I have the floor, may I just say I support the resolution in general, because I think it is badly needed.

Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Hamilton.

Are there any other Members-Mr. Chabot.

Mr. CHABOT. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the last word. I'll be very brief.

First of all, let me say I have a great deal of respect and appreciation for the work the gentleman from New Jersey does on this Committee, and I appreciate his leadership on the other side of the aisle on many issues. He has long been a vocal advocate for fundamental human rights around the world, and all of us on the Africa Subcommittee appreciate his work in that area.

The original language in the resolution on pages 2 and 3, and I quote, "encourages the Government of Algeria to cooperate with the international community to ensure transparency in the investiga

tion and combating of terrorist activity, including the use of objective investigators into the massacres;".

I believe the amendment offered by Mr. Menendez is consistent with the intention of the original resolution, and therefore I have no objection to it, and I thank him for offering this amendment and yield back the balance of my time.

Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chabot.

The question is

Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman.

Chairman GILMAN. Who is seeking-Mr. Rohrabacher.

Mr. ROHRABACHER. I will be brief, and I support this amendment, and again it does underscore a more balanced approach to try and figure out who is doing all this killing in Algeria. Just for my colleagues' sake of understanding, again I have read personal sworn statements by people who used to work for the government who claimed they were part of teams that were sent by the government into these areas to commit these atrocities.

Also, many of the atrocities, hundreds if not thousands of these people who have been killed have been killed in areas that are not loyal to the government and that these Islamic groups would be killing their own people if they were the ones doing the killing. Not to say that those people are not committing the acts of terrorism and should be condemned for it, but there are two sides to this butchery going on, and in order to stop it, we need to take a balanced approach. And I think the gentleman's amendment goes a long way to achieving that.

Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Rohrabacher.

Are any other Members seeking recognition?

If not, the question is on the amendment of the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Menendez.

Without objection, the amendment is agreed to.

I'd like to thank the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Chabot, the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Hastings, and the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Menendez, and the distinguished chairman of our Subcommittee, Mr. Royce. You have done an excellent job of finding consensus on what could have been difficult issues.

This resolution appropriately calls on the Government of Algeria to allow neutral, independent international investigators to examine all the violence that has racked Algeria since 1992. There should be no mistake, however, that the thrust of this resolution is to strongly condemn the Armed Islamic Group and other terrorists inside Algeria who have slaughtered in barbaric fashion tens of thousands of innocent Algerians. There is no place in this world for such atrocities. The Government of Algeria continues to move toward democracy and economic reform, and our Nation should continue to assist these important endeavors. Again, I thank the gentleman, Mr. Chabot, for introducing the resolution, and I urge the Committee to adopt the resolution.

Are there any other Members seeking recognition?

If not, the question now is on adopting the Committee amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended.

As many as in favor of the Subcommittee amendment, as amended, signify by saying aye.

[Chorus of ayes.]

Those opposed, say no.

The ayes have it, and the amendment is agreed to.

The gentleman from Nebraska is recognized to offer a motion.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, I move that the chairman be requested to seek consideration of this measure on the suspension calendar.

Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Bereuter.

The question is on the motion from the gentleman from Nebraska. As many as in favor of the motion signify by stating aye. [Chorus of ayes.]

As many as are opposed, say no.

The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The motion is agreed to.

Further proceedings on this measure are postponed.

We'll now take up H. Res. 350. The Chair lays the resolution before the Committee. The clerk will report the title of the resolution. Ms. BLOOMER. House Resolution 350, Congratulating the people of Sri Lanka on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of their nation's independence.

Chairman GILMAN. Without objection, the clerk will read the preamble and operative language of the resolution.

Ms. BLOOMER. Whereas on February 4, 1948, the people of Sri Lanka gained

Chairman GILMAN. Without objection, the reading of the resolution shall be dispensed with, and the resolution opened to amendment at any point.

[H. Res. 350 appears in the appendix.]

This resolution was introduced on February 4, 1998, by Mr. Bereuter, and referred to the Committee. It was referred by the chairman to the Subcommittee on Asia and Pacific, considered on February 12, and ordered reported without amendment, and I recognize the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee, the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter, to introduce the resolution. I recognize him for 5 minutes.

Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. H. Res. 350, Congratulating the people of Sri Lanka on the occasion of their fiftieth anniversary of their nation's independence, as you said was passed by the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific on February 12, 1998. It was introduced by this Member, Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Berman with cosponsorship of many other Members, particularly from this Committee.

The resolution was actually introduced on February 4, the day that Sri Lanka celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its independence. America's relations with this island nation are very strong and productive. Social and economic progress that Sri Lanka has made in the last five decades is truly encouraging, and it has laid a strong foundation for its future.

Sri Lankan Americans, both those of Sinhalese and Tamil ethnicity, have made major contributions to American society, and our relationship has proven mutually beneficial. While the official celebration will last all year, the precise date of the fiftieth anniversary was February 4. Major celebrations were held on that day, with Prince Charles being the head of the British delegation.

Regrettably, the celebrations were marred by a series of bombings. This tragic fact emphasizes the point that a terrible bloody civil war continues in Sri Lanka and it has cost tens of thousands of lives.

The purpose of today's resolution is not to debate the specifics of the ethnic conflict. Rather, we wish to celebrate the achievements of the people of Sri Lanka; Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim alike.

H. Res. 350 does precisely that. It congratulates the people of Sri Lanka and points to this occasion as an opportunity to renew the common U.S.-Sri Lankan commitment to international cooperation. Mr. Chairman, I urge unanimous adoption of H. Res. 350. Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Bereuter. Mr. Hamilton. Mr. HAMILTON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I commend Mr. Bereuter for his leadership on the resolution. I strongly support it. Fifty years ago the Sri Lankan people threw off the bonds of empire, and entered the ranks of free and independent nations. In the five decades since then and notwithstanding an insidious civil war and economic hardship, Sri Lanka has proudly maintained its independence, promoted economic development, and fostered a democratic form of government.

Sri Lanka has been a very good friend to the United States. The people of Sri Lanka have earned our respect and admiration.

This resolution attempts to convey those sentiments and to express our desire to see the bonds of friendship that link the two nations broadened and deepened in the years ahead.

I fully support the resolution and I urge its adoption.

Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Hamilton. Are any other Members seeking recognition?

[No response.]

Chairman GILMAN. I wish that I could join in the enthusiasm the people of Sri Lanka deserve in celebration of this nation's 50th anniversary. However, the disappearances of persons taken into custody by military and special police units, the killings of some of the moderate Tamil Parliament members, and public execution of suspected informers or traitors by the Tamil tigers make it somewhat awkward to be overly joyous.

Our policy toward Sri Lanka does need some scrutiny and I hope we could begin to give some constructive criticism that could lead to peace in that long-troubled nation.

Are any other Members seeking recognition?

[No response.]

Chairman GILMAN. If not, the gentleman from Nebraska is recognized to offer a motion.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Chairman be requested to seek consideration of this measure on the suspension calendar.

Chairman GILMAN. The question is on the motion by the gentleman from Nebraska.

As many as in favor signify by saying aye.

[Chorus of ayes.]

Chairman GILMAN. As many as opposed signify by saying no. [No noes.]

Chairman GILMAN. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The motion is agreed to. Further proceedings on the measure are postponed.

The Chair now lays before the Committee a concurrent resolution relating to Afghanistan.

The clerk will report the title of the resolution.

Ms. BLOOMER. House Concurrent Resolution 218, Concerning the urgent need to establish a cease-fire in Afghanistan and begin the transition toward a broad-based multiethnic government that observes international norms of behavior.

Chairman GILMAN. This resolution was considered in the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific reported from that Subcommittee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

Without objection, the Subcommittee amendment in the nature of a substitute will be considered as the original test for purpose of amendment. Without objection, the clerk will read the preamble and operative language of the Subcommittee amendment, in that order, for amendment.

Ms. BLOOMER. Whereas peace and stability has not returned to Afghanistan despite the

Chairman GILMAN. Without objection, the Subcommittee amendment will be considered as having been read and it is open to amendment at any point.

H. Con. Res. 218 appears in the appendix.]

This resolution was introduced on February 12th by Mr. Bereuter. It was referred to the Committee and then referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, which considered it on March 5th in order to forward it to the Full Committee.

I now recognize the chairman of the Subcommittee, the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter, to introduce the resolution. Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. H. Con. Res. 218, which was introduced by this Member and co-sponsored subsequently by many Members including the Chairman, addresses the continuing chaos in Afghanistan and the efforts of the United Nations and others to bring about an end to the fighting.

One of the byproducts of the destruction brought about by the extended warfare is that Afghanistan has become one of the world's leading producers of opium. Other problems currently facing Afghanistan include serious and repeated human rights violations occurring throughout the country, an alarming rate of infant and child mortality, and the use of Afghanistan as a safe haven for terrorist leaders and activities.

Regrettably, the instability in Afghanistan has opened the country to significant influence from neighboring countries. On March 14, 1998, for example, the Washington Times reported that Afghanistan's neighbors are delivering large shipments of weapons and ammunition to the different factions in anticipation of future warfare. This certainly does not bode well for the prospect of peace in Afghanistan, but rather promises another summer of bloodshed and devastation in this tragic land.

The United States officially supports no party or faction in this conflict. However, we can and should back U.N. negotiation efforts to establish a coalition government where all factions are fairly represented.