[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 35 (Sunday, March 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E517-E518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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
[[Page E518]]
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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