Volume 106 · 106

Public Law 102–270

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the peace process in Liberia and authorizing limited assistance to support this process.

Approved April 16, 1992

Statutory text

Joint Resolution

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the peace process in Liberia and authorizing limited assistance to support this process.

Whereas the civil war in Liberia, begun in December 1989, has devastated that country, killing an estimated 25,000 civilians and forcing hundreds of thousands of Liberians to flee their homes;

Whereas in an effort to end the fighting, the parties to the Liberian conflict and the leaders of the West African states signed a peace accord in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire on October 30, 1991;

Whereas this agreement sets in motion a peace process, including the encampment and disarmament of the fighters and culminating in the holding of free and fair elections;

Whereas despite several difficulties, this peace process continues to proceed largely on track, including the recent opening of roads in Liberia and the initiation of the political campaigns by several parties; and

Whereas the election process outlined in the Yamoussoukro agreement is essential for reestablishing peace, democracy and reconciliation in Liberia, and limited United States assistance could play an important role in promoting this process: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

That

the Congress—

strongly supports the peace process for Liberia initiated by the Yamoussoukro peace accord;

urges all parties to abide by the terms of the Yamoussoukro agreement;

commends and congratulates the governments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for their leadership in seeking peace in Liberia; and

extends particularly praise to President Babangida of Nigeria, President Houphouet-Boigny of Cote d’Ivoire, and President Diouf of Senegal for their efforts to resolve this conflict.

Authorization of Limited Assistance.—

Notwithstanding section 620(q) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or any similar provision, the President is authorized to provide—

nonpartisan election and democracy-building assistance to support democratic institutions in Liberia, and

assistance for the resettlement of refugees, the demobilization and retraining of troops, and the provision of other appropriate assistance to implement the Yamoussoukro peace accord: Provided, That the President determines and so certifies to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives that Liberia has made significant progress toward democratization and that the provision of such assistance will assist that country in making further progress and is otherwise in the national interest of the United States. A separate determination and certification shall be required for each fiscal year in which such assistance is to be provided.

Approved April 16, 1992.