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(TALKZIMBABWE) US Congress on ZDERA sanctions

US Congress on ZDERA sanctions
By: Press Release
Posted: Wednesday, May 5, 2010 6:56 pm

U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and John Kerry (D-MA) introduced bipartisan legislation today to help advance a genuine transition to democracy and stability in Zimbabwe.

In 2008, facing regional and international pressure, Robert Mugabe and opposition leaders agreed to form a transitional government until a new constitution could be established and new elections held. Since then, reformers in government have stopped the country’s severe economic decline and taken important steps toward economic reform.

However, hardliners continue to obstruct full implementation of the agreement and are still committing political and human rights abuses. Feingold, Isakson, and Kerry’s Zimbabwe Transition to Democracy and Economic Recovery Act is designed to help those parts of the transitional government and parliament that demonstrate a firm commitment to democratic reform, while renewing and ramping up pressure on hardliners and the activities that sustain their abuses.

“In 2001, I teamed up with Senator Bill Frist on the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, which President Bush signed in law,” said Senator Feingold, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs. "That bill showed our country’s commitment to the Zimbabwean people in their struggle for peaceful democratic change. To stay true to that commitment, we must continue to look for the most effective ways we can help Zimbabweans advance real change, both inside and outside of government. This legislation gives the Obama administration the guidance and flexibility to press for badly needed reforms in Zimbabwe.”

“It is imperative that we respond to the terrible abuses of human and political rights in Zimbabwe and support the Zimbabwean people as they work toward establishing stability and restoring democracy,” said Isakson, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs.

“This legislation seeks to give democratic reformers in Zimbabwe the chance to succeed,” said Senator Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “The vast majority of Zimbabweans yearn for representative democracy, economic stability, and a better future. With this legislation, we hope to give them the necessary tools to encourage this transition.”

Feingold, Isakson and Kerry’s Zimbabwe Transition to Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2010 would:

* Reaffirm U.S. policy to support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to effect peaceful, democratic change, achieve economic growth and restore the rule of law through various forms of assistance and the continuation of targeted sanctions.

* Authorize technical assistance to reformist government ministries and to the Parliament in its efforts to amend or repeal repressive legislation.

* Express the Sense of Congress that the U.S. should seek to promote agricultural development as much as possible, while actively supporting steps to reestablish security of land tenure.

* Amend the restrictions on assistance for the government of Zimbabwe in the FY10 State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill to make exceptions in the areas of health and education.

* Amend the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-99) to provide greater flexibility for the U.S. to engage the International Financial Institutions, outlining new conditions for U.S. support of any proposed assistance based on how it will be targeted and administered.

* Direct the President to seek to address illegal diamond activities that are undermining democratic processes and institutions by pressing for Zimbabwe’s suspension from the Kimberley Process and exploring new targeted sanctions related to such activities.

* Encourage continued review and updating by OFAC of the targeted sanctions regime in light of evolving circumstances within the country.

* Direct the U.S. government to work with national, regional and international partners to begin preparing for future elections in Zimbabwe, specifically developing a strategy to reduce the risk of violence and other abuses around such elections.

* Require the Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of State, and USAID Administrator to provide a briefing to Congress within 180 days on steps taken and progress made toward implementing this Act.

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Issued by the US Congress

Labels: RUSS FEINGOLD, ZDERA

posted by MrK @ 4:01 PM