H11630 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 14, 2005 had been executed, hundreds of thousands tions. Families were separated by send- CONDEMNING THE GOVERNMENT more were victims of starvation and malnutri- ing men, women and children into var- OF ’S ‘‘OPERATION tion. ious labor camps, scattered throughout MURAMBATSVINA’’ Some Cambodians were fortunate enough that country. Famine and disease were Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. to escape the madness and brutality of the epidemic between April of 1975 and Jan- Speaker, I move to suspend the rules Cambodian Genocide, making their way as uary of 1979. Cambodians watched hun- and agree to the resolution (H. Res. refugees to various Southeast Asian nations. dreds of thousands of their loved ones 409) condemning the Government of Nearly 150,000 Cambodians ultimately reset- die by starvation and thousands more Zimbabwe’s ‘‘Operation tled in the United States, and today, there are by torture. Murambatsvina’’ under which homes, more than 200,000 Americans of Cambodian When the Khmer Rouge was over- businesses, religious structures, and descent. thrown in 1979 by Vietnamese troops, other buildings and facilities were de- As Cambodians build new lives in the thousands of Cambodians fled to near- molished in an effort characterized by United States, it is appropriate and timely for by refugee camps in Thailand and to the Government of Zimbabwe as an op- the Congress to recognize the victims of the camps in the Philippines and Indo- eration to ‘‘restore order’’ to the coun- Cambodian Genocide, and to welcome the es- nesia. As many as 145,000-plus coura- try, as amended. tablishment of an international criminal tribunal geous Cambodians made their way to The Clerk read as follows: to bring long-overdue justice to the perpetra- the United States. H. RES. 409 tors of the Cambodian genocide. With the assistance of the Federal Whereas on May 19, 2005, the Government Mr. Speaker, the international tribunal estab- Government, State, local and vol- of Zimbabwe launched ‘‘Operation lished for Cambodia is not a perfect institution, untary agencies, Cambodians were re- Murambatsvina’’, translated from the Shona and only time will tell if those who carried out settled in communities across Amer- language as ‘‘Operation Drive Out the Trash’’, in major cities and suburbs through- the genocide will be brought to justice. It re- ica. Despite the tremendous loss of mains our profound hope that the work of the out Zimbabwe in an effort that it character- family members, homes and parts of ized as an operation to ‘‘restore order’’ to the tribunal will be carried out according to inter- their heritage, Cambodians have shown country; national standards of justice. enormous resiliency. Whereas hours after the Governor of the Mr. Speaker, nearly 1 in 7 Cambodians lost Their culture and contributions to called for an end their lives during the horrible 4 years of Khmer America continue each day to enrich to the parallel market, Operation Rouge rule. With passage of this resolution, our society, and I am immensely proud Murambatsvina began in the city of we remember the innocent victims of the and subsequently in other urban areas, such that the largest Cambodian presence in as the city of , ostensibly to oust genocide, and hope that justice prevails. the United States resides in my dis- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to sup- illegal vendors and eliminate illegal struc- trict. tures; port this resolution. Cambodians have been awaiting jus- Whereas Operation Murambatsvina was Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as tice for over a quarter of a century, carried out as an indiscriminate demolition she might consume to the gentle- and it now seems that the opportunity of the homes and livelihood of thousands of woman from California (Ms. will soon arise. The has Zimbabwean citizens already suffering from MILLENDER-MCDONALD), my dear friend taken steps to establish an inter- a protracted economic and political crisis and distinguished colleague, the author brought on by poor policy directives by the national tribunal in 2007 to bring jus- of this important piece of legislation. Government of Zimbabwe that forced masses tice to the perpetrators of the Cam- Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. Mr. of rural dwellers to urban areas of the coun- bodian genocide. The government of Speaker, I would like to thank the gen- try for survival; Cambodia seems poised to proceed. Whereas in some communities that were tleman from New Jersey (Mr. SMITH), It is my sincere hope that the Cam- victimized by the forced demolitions, includ- the chairman, for his dedication and bodian tribunal, once it is up and run- ing Cheru Farm and Killarney Farm where commitment to this issue, along with ning, will ensure that justice is finally more than 20,000 people lived, Zimbabweans my friend the gentleman from Cali- had lived in residences for over 20 years and served, and that those who perpetrated fornia (Mr. LANTOS), the ranking mem- had well-functioning schools, health and the genocide against innocent Cam- ber, for his ongoing support of this HIV/AIDS clinics, orphanages for AIDS-af- bodians will finally be punished for piece of legislation, and Mr. Speaker, I fected children, viable businesses, places of their heinous acts. Mr. Speaker, the 10s thank you for the opportunity to ad- worship, and other amenities; of thousands of Cambodian Americans Whereas in 1993, the Government of dress this issue that is incredibly im- who lost loved ones to the killing fields Zimbabwe moved families from Cheru Farms portant to all Cambodian Americans. to a new location, Porto Farm, which during The tragic history of over 1.7 million deserve no less. So I urge all of my colleagues to sup- Operation Murambatsvina was demolished Cambodian men, women and children by Zimbabwean Government forces; who died during the Khmer Rouge rule port this resolution, and again, I thank Whereas government security forces car- in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 is uncon- both the chairman and the ranking ried out Operation Murambatsvina, and in scionable. The inhumanity of the member. doing so, beat residents and forced them to Khmer Rouge regime and the Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I again destroy their own homes and places of busi- harrowing events of the killing fields want to commend my friend from Cali- ness, though many residents provided per- mits from municipal authorities granting there still touch every Cambodian fornia for taking up this most impor- tant issue. We have no further requests permission to build their structures; American family. They live each day Whereas Operation Murambatsvina re- with the indelible scars of lost mothers for time, and I yield back the balance sulted in the demolition throughout the and fathers, brothers and sisters, and of our time. country of homes, businesses, and religious other loved ones. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. structures, including a mosque, and an AIDS While the tragedy can never be re- Speaker, we have no further requests orphanage and in the intimidation, harass- versed, America’s recognition of the 1.7 for time, and I yield back the balance ment, and arrest of tens of thousands of peo- million lives lost is important to the of our time. ple; Whereas Operation Murambatsvina cut off hundred of thousands of survivors that The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by many AIDS patients from anti-retroviral now call America home. medicines which will likely lead to a rever- My legislation, H. Con. Res. 238, com- the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. sal of their health, resistance to the drugs, memorates the victims of the Khmer SMITH) that the House suspend the and a more virulent form of AIDS in Rouge genocide. rules and agree to the concurrent reso- Zimbabwe with potential for spreading In 1975, a large-scale insurgency took lution, H. Con. Res. 238, as amended. throughout the region and worldwide; place, resulting in the forced removal The question was taken; and (two- Whereas churches and private citizens of local Cambodians from their villages thirds having voted in favor thereof) sheltering the victims of Operation and into labor camps in an attempt by the rules were suspended and the con- Murambatsvina were also intimidated, har- assed, and arrested for their efforts to pro- the Khmer Rouge to restructure soci- current resolution, as amended, was vide a safe haven for the victims during ety. agreed to. Zimbabwe’s harsh winter; The Khmer Rouge maintained con- A motion to reconsider was laid on Whereas armed soldiers and police forcibly trol by mass public tortures and execu- the table. removed hundreds of homeless people from

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:28 Dec 15, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00124 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14DE7.146 H14DEPT1 December 14, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11631 churches in the city of Bulawayo and banned Whereas the United Nations special envoy and to provide the international community religious groups from providing humani- assessed the negative impact of Operation with a viable strategy to address the prob- tarian assistance to those seeking shelter at Murambatsvina on shelter, water and sanita- lems; Hellensvale, a transit camp north of tion, food and nutrition, basic health serv- (C) calls on the Government of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe’s second city, and where police ar- ices, HIV/AIDS, education, women and girls, to allow international humanitarian organi- rested and detained religious leaders; refugees and other vulnerable groups; zations access to those affected by the oper- Whereas a strongly worded statement Whereas the special envoy concluded that ation who are in need of food, medicine, shel- issued by the Bulawayo clergy stated: ‘‘The Operation Murambatsvina ‘‘has rendered ter, sanitation, and water; removal of the poor, innocent, weak, voice- people homeless and economically destitute (D) calls on the Government of Zimbabwe less and vulnerable members of society by on an unprecedented scale; most of the vic- to hold accountable those responsible for riot police in the middle of the night was tims were already among the most economi- this egregious injury to the Zimbabwean uncalled for and unnecessary. It is inhu- cally disadvantaged groups in society; and people, both the decisionmakers of the oper- mane, brutal and insensitive, and in total they have now been pushed deeper into pov- ation and those who carried out the oper- disregard of human rights and dignity. These erty and have become even more vulnerable; ation; people are not criminals but bona fide citi- and the scale of suffering is immense, par- (E) calls on the Government of Zimbabwe zens of this nation. It seems the crime they ticularly among widows, single mothers, to immediately and aggressively implement committed is that they are poor.’’; children, orphans, the elderly and the dis- policies to promote the private sector and Whereas the African Commission for Peo- abled persons’’; create jobs and build housing to accommo- ples’ and Human Rights dispatched an Afri- Whereas at the time of independence, date those displaced by the operation; can Union envoy, Bahame Tom Nyanduga, President was hailed as a lib- (F) calls on the United Nations and the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Internally erator and Zimbabwe showed bright pros- international community to stand by the Displaced Persons, and Asylum Seekers in pects for democracy, economic development, people of Zimbabwe who have been victim- Africa to investigate the ongoing domestic reconciliation, and prosperity; ized by their government in this operation demolitions; Whereas President Mugabe and his ZANU- and to help them with relief and reconstruc- Whereas the Government of Zimbabwe re- PF party in recent years have turned away tion of their lives; fused to allow the envoy an from the promises of liberation and become (G) calls on the Secretary of the Treasury opportunity to conduct his mission after a party that uses state power to deny the to instruct the United States Executive Di- being accused by the Government of people of Zimbabwe the freedoms and pros- rector at the International Monetary Fund Zimbabwe through its government-con- perity for which they fought and deserve; (IMF) to use the voice, vote, and influence of trolled media of ‘‘following the agenda of Whereas the rise of urbanization and the the United States to continue to advocate western countries’’; informal sector in Zimbabwe has been the di- for further action at the IMF should the Whereas the decision to block access to the rect result of failed economic policies, a bit- Government of Zimbabwe continue to fail to African Union envoy is representative of a terly disputed fast track land reform pro- meet its obligations to the IMF; larger pattern of behavior, whereby the Gov- gram, unplanned cash handouts to appease (H) condemns President Mugabe’s harass- ernment of Zimbabwe uses violence, intimi- war veterans, the costly military interven- ment of the United States Ambassador to dation, and demagoguery to subjugate its tion in Congo, and persistent drought; Zimbabwe, including by threatening the Am- people, relies on scapegoats to justify the Whereas before Operation Murambatsvina, bassador’s expulsion from the country and economic, political, and social crises in unemployment in Zimbabwe was between 70 asserting that he could ‘‘go to Hell’’; and Zimbabwe, and detains and slanders United and 80 percent, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate (I) calls on President Mugabe to recognize States diplomats who challenge the ruinous was 24 percent, and the inflation rate was that absent meaningful corrective actions on policies of that government; 164.4 percent (but was as high as 522.8 per- his part, President Mugabe’s legacy will be Whereas in response to the crisis, the Sec- cent), and currently Zimbabwe has the defined by his responsibility for the ruinous retary-General of the United Nations dis- world’s fastest shrinking economy, there is policies and draconian laws that brought un- patched a special envoy, Ms. Anna Kajumulo an ongoing fuel crisis in the country, and the told suffering of his people and the near col- Tibaijuka, Deputy Secretary General, United Zimbabwean economy had contracted 7 per- Nations Human Settlements Program (UN– cent; and lapse of Zimbabwe as a nation. HABITAT), on a factfinding mission to as- Whereas the staggering suffering brought The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- sess the scope and impact of Operation on by Operation Murambatsvina has been ant to the rule, the gentleman from Murambatsvina on the people of Zimbabwe added to the already large-scale humani- New Jersey (Mr. SMITH) and the gen- and its consequences for the Zimbabwean tarian crisis in Zimbabwe: Now, therefore, be tleman from California (Mr. LANTOS) Government; it each will control 20 minutes. Resolved, That— Whereas the mission of the United Nations The Chair recognizes the gentleman special envoy was undertaken between June (1) it is the sense of the House of Rep- 26 and July 8, 2005, where she visited the cit- resentatives that— from New Jersey. ies of Harare, Headlands, Rusape, Mutare, (A) through Operation Murambatsvina, the b 2245 , Bulawayo, Hwange, and Victoria Government of Zimbabwe has created a hu- Falls and met with victims of Operation manitarian disaster that has compounded Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Murambatsvina, heard personal testimony the already existing humanitarian food and Speaker, I yield myself such time as I from victims, and met with members of the economic crises in the country, and the Gov- may consume. diplomatic community, the Government of ernment of Zimbabwe has insufficient re- I begin by commending the gen- Zimbabwe, and international nongovern- sources to address such crises; tleman from California (Mr. LANTOS) mental organizations; (B) the Government of Zimbabwe has a for crafting and authoring this resolu- Whereas the United Nations special envoy duty to protect the economic, social, and po- tion. It is very timely and extremely estimated that approximately 700,000 people litical rights of its citizens as guaranteed by important, given the events in in cities across the country have lost either the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Afri- their homes, their source of livelihood, or can Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; Zimbabwe. I would like to point out both, and that a total of 2.4 million people or and that H. Res. 409 condemns the govern- 18 percent of the population was directly or (C) the Government of Zimbabwe also is ment of Zimbabwe for its horrendous indirectly affected by Operation subject to the International Covenant on abuses of civil and human rights of its Murambatsvina and that the operation Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to citizens. would have considerable short-term and which Zimbabwe is a party, which states in Zimbabwe is a Nation that even re- long-term impact on social and economic part that ‘‘forced evictions are prima facie cently was an economic success, an ex- conditions in the country; incompatible with the provisions of the Cov- ample to other nations in Africa. How- Whereas 40,800 families directly affected by enant and can only be carried out under spe- Operation Murambatsvina were headed by cific circumstances’’; and ever, the serious mismanagement of women, and 83,530 children under the age of (2) the House of Representatives— that country’s economy has reduced four and 26,600 people age 60 and older were (A) condemns Operation Murambatsvina as the gross national income to levels last directly affected; a major humanitarian catastrophe caused by seen in 1953. Inflation in Zimbabwe Whereas President Robert Mugabe de- the Government of Zimbabwe’s callousness today exceeds 500 percent. scribed this sudden and extensive operation toward its own people, disregard for the rule When the government of Zimbabwe against thousands of families and business of law, and lack of planning to move families began its so-called Operation persons in the dead of winter as necessary and businesses to more desirable locations; Murambatsvina on May 19, it was sup- ‘‘to eliminate hideouts of crime and grime’’; (B) calls on the United Nations, the Afri- posed to be a limited operation to end Whereas the United Nations special envoy can Commission for Peoples’ and Human is quoted as saying ‘‘the poor are not crimi- Rights, and the African Union to continue the parallel market but developed into nals . . . [t]hey work hard to obtain the little efforts to investigate the impact of the the most destructive campaign that which they have and they should not thus be demolitions of housing structures and prem- country has seen in its post-independ- treated like criminals’’; ises from which informal businesses operated ence history. Months after this vicious

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:28 Dec 15, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00125 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14DE7.124 H14DEPT1 H11632 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 14, 2005 campaign, there are estimates of as Mr. Speaker, Greg Simpkins is the owned commercial farms since 2000. Not even many as 700,000 displaced persons, leader on the subcommittee of our Pro- membership in the ruling party could save many of whom are living without food, fessional Staff, and he led a staff homes from destruction, as police took down houses despite the pleas of residents wearing water or shelter. CODEL to Zimbabwe on July 1 through ZANU–PF t-shirts. As for the veterans of the By all accounts, this operation has the 10th. He was joined by Dr. Pearl- liberation war, who had claimed credit for made existing social problems much Alice Marsh, Senior Professional Staff assisting the government’s land reform proc- worse. Nongovernmental organization Member for the Committee, and they ess that has so transformed Zimbabwe’s representatives have told us that now did an extraordinary job in gathering a economy, they appear to have been wiped there are 2 million widows, 1.5 million tremendous amount of information out. Now landless and homeless, they appar- orphans, 500,000 children with only one about what has really gone on and ently have outlived their usefulness to the surviving parent and 8,000 households what the crisis is all about. I submit ruling party. One war veteran reportedly stood in front of a police bulldozer that had headed by children. herewith their staff report for inclu- While many still recall Zimbabwe torn down his home and pleaded for police to sion in the RECORD. take his life. President Robert Mugabe’s critical role STAFFDEL SIMPKINS TRIP REPORT: ZIMBABWE A Zimbabwean employee at the U.S. em- in winning independence for his coun- AND SOUTH AFRICA bassy in Harare told us his supplementary try, we must hold him accountable for (By Gregory Simpkins) dwelling in the backyard of his property had been built to house some of his children to the devastation he has more recently SUMMARY brought upon his country’s citizens, se- relieve overcrowding in the main house. Nev- Staff delegation Simpkins, consisting of ertheless, authorities forced him to tear the rious, serious crimes and human rights myself and Dr. Pearl-Alice Marsh, Senior abuses. Whatever he has achieved in structure down, despite his holding a legal Professional Staff Member for the House permit from local authorities. His experience the past, he is furiously undoing his Committee on International Relations, trav- apparently was shared by many other home- legacy in the present. eled to Zimbabwe and South Africa from 1–10 owners whose homes were not shacks or House Resolution 409, which received July 2005. The purpose of this mission was to shanties and who had locally-provided per- its due consideration by the House investigate the situation on the ground in mits for their construction. International Relations Committee, Zimbabwe, especially in light of the recent On June 2nd, BBC News quoted a cobbler seeks to shed light on the profound suf- government actions to destroy allegedly ille- (who identified himself as ‘‘Edson’’) on his fering that this operation has brought gal housing and vending operations. The encounter with police who arrived to force visit to South Africa was to examine pro- him and his fellow vendors from their stand- and inflicted upon the people of grams involving Zimbabwe refugees, speak ard locations in Harare. He told the BBC Zimbabwe. It notes that, through this with members of the Zimbabwe expatriate that the authorities were uninterested in his operation, the government of Mugabe community and discuss Zimbabwe with legal status as a vendor: ‘‘They were very has created a manmade humanitarian members of the South African government, firm and just kept saying: ‘We don’t want disaster of epic proportions, which has the ruling African National Congress, the you; we don’t want you here; we want you to only compounded the existing human Congress of South African Trade Unions and go from this place.’’’ rights and economic crises in think tanks. Clearly, this operation was not restricted We thank Ambassador Christopher Dell to illegal vendors or dwellings. We were told Zimbabwe. that police and supporting forces from youth It condemns President Mugabe’s har- and his staff in Harare and Ambassador Jendayi Frazer and her staff in Pretoria for militias and soldiers were not interested in assment of the United States Ambas- their assistance in making our visit produc- differentiating between what was legal or il- sador to Zimbabwe most recently by tive. legal. One opposition politician showed us a threatening his expulsion from the The report on this operation is the result truck load of youth militia and explained country and asserting that he could of our discussions with a wide variety of peo- that they had been in government camps and ‘‘go to hell’’ in response to the Ambas- ple in and around Harare and Bulawayo in prepared to take actions such as those asso- sador’s efforts to draw attention to the Zimbabwe and in Pretoria and Johannesburg ciated with Operation Murambatsvina. Eye- crisis in Zimbabwe. in South Africa (see appendix for list); a 27 witnesses reported seeing police looting June 2005 report by the Solidarity Peace stalls from which vendors were evicted. Oth- H. Con. Res. 409 also states that the ers reported to us that police confiscated government of Zimbabwe has a duty to Trust, a non-governmental organization reg- istered in South Africa, and various pub- property for which residents of homes or protect its people and calls on that lished reports and subsequent contacts with shops could not produce satisfactory re- government to immediately and ag- sources in Zimbabwe. ceipts, even if the goods were personal prop- erty and not for sale. gressively implement policies to pro- OPERATION MURAMBATSVINA This operation was cruelly executed. In mote private sector development, cre- On 19 May 2005, the Government of ate jobs and build housing to benefit Bulawayo, Ms. Shingirai Mmpa told us she Zimbabwe commenced Operation had been a vendor for nearly 20 years in the those displaced by this operation. Murambatsvina. While the Zimbabwean gov- same location. She recounted how police one It further asserts that, absent such ernment refers to it as ‘‘Operation Restore day suddenly seized the vegetables she and meaningful corrective measures, Presi- Order,’’ a literal translation from the Shona other women were selling as usual. Police dent Mugabe’s legacy will be defined by language reveals that ‘‘Murambatsvina’’ came to her home and tried to make her tear his responsibility for the ruinous poli- more closely means ‘‘discarding the filth.’’ it down. She protested unsuccessfully that cies and draconian laws that have This places the operation in a more accurate she was a renter and did not own the house, context. and when she proved unable to tear the brought untold suffering to his people Gideon Gono, Governor of the Reserve and the near collapse of Zimbabwe as a house down, police got her neighbors to help Bank of Zimbabwe, called for an end to the her do so. They then threatened to fine her nation. parallel market, and hours later the oper- Finally, the resolution calls on the 1.5 million Zimbabwe dollars if she didn’t ation began in Harare and subsequently dispose of the rubble. Her experience was not International Monetary Fund to take other urban areas, such as Bulawayo, osten- unique. further action against the government sibly to oust illegal vendors and eliminate il- In Harare, we were told about a grand- of Zimbabwe should it continue to fail legal structures. Very early on, it became mother who had been taking care of her to meet its obligations to the inter- clear that this operation would clean out all grandchildren and other orphans. They lived national community. vendors and non-standard and additional in a cottage that had been declared illegal My subcommittee held a hearing on structures whether legal or not. In locations and was destroyed. She now faces a bill of Zimbabwe’s situation and the U.S. pol- where dozens of vendors had populated long- five million Zimbabwe dollars for back rent standing markets that attracted tourists and for a cottage that no longer exists and an- icy toward that country last April. We local people alike, we saw empty spaces. But other substantial bill for removing the rub- were dissatisfied with the state of U.S. Operation Murambatsvina did not stop with ble from the destroyed cottage. engagement. Despite diligent State De- its urban renewal objective. The operation We witnessed families at the Porta Farms partment efforts, we still lack creative spread to so-called squatters’ camps and camp whose homes had been utterly de- ways to address and resolve this crisis. other rural areas, tearing down structures in stroyed, leaving them to seek refuge, first in One of the problems in engaging the which residents had in some cases invested the bushes surrounding their former dwell- government is the failure to speak with their life savings in order to construct a sub- ings and then in the ruins on which their a consistent voice. This resolution may stantial house with electricity and water. homes had stood. We saw beds and furniture Spreading from central business districts sitting in the open, and families living with seem harsh to some, but it does not to suburbs to farms, this operation eventu- no food, running water or sanitation facili- even begin to touch what is really ally evicted even supporters of the ruling ties. We saw a baby who had been born since going on in that once prosperous na- Zimbabwe African National Union—Patri- the demolition, who had to survive in tem- tion. otic Front (ZANU–PF) who had seized white- peratures that might reach 32° at night. The

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:28 Dec 15, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14DE7.202 H14DEPT1 December 14, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11633 baby’s mother, who had an obvious infection, This operation especially is having an ill and the necessary infrastructure to care for had to manage without medication from the effect on Zimbabwe’s economy. Early into residents. He said they were established local clinic that had been managed by New Operation Murambatsvina, the International hastily and remain unorganized. He believes Life Church. It was destroyed along with the Monetary Fund was predicting that churches will play a major role in ensuring other structures. Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product would that such camps are ready before people are The evictions at Porta Farms involved fall by 7% this year and that inflation would transferred. Father Nqindi said the churches more than a little irony. Most residents of rise to 200%. The country’s Central Statis- are concerned about maintaining access to Porta Farms had been moved from Chiuru tical Office reported in mid-July that infla- the people once transferred so that they can Farm to keep them out of sight of Queen tion had risen nearly 20 percentage points in continue to ensure the necessary services are Elizabeth and other world leaders who at- June to 164.3%. With the almost utter de- provided and that eventual settlement of tended the 1991 Commonwealth Heads of struction of the informal economy in this op- people in the camps is handled humanely. Government meeting in Harare. Some re- eration and no coherent plan on how to re- Subsequent to our visit to Zimbabwe, portedly had been told that if they paid to store the thousands of microenterprises that baton wielding police in full anti-riot gear install electricity and water that they would were shut down, the contraction of GDP reportedly stormed Father Nqindi’s church be given permits for their homes. Operation could more than double. In fact, Center for and other Bulawayo area churches, rounded Murambatsvina abrogated whatever agree- Global Development researcher Todd Moss is up about 500 displaced people and took them ment they may have had with the govern- estimating that Zimbabwe’s Gross National to a transit camp about 35 kilometers out- ment. Income is now down to its 1953 level. side the city. According to various reports, We witnessed a similar situation at the next morning, the people were dispersed, Kilarney squatters’ camp outside Bulawayo. THE DESTRUCTION’S AFTERMATH and the camp was dismantled. WorldVision The camp had been established by the white When we spoke to , Min- staff members were prevented from distrib- minority Rhodesian government to move ister of National Security, he virtually uting food. Only the Red Cross was allowed poor blacks out of Bulawayo during colonial bragged of having been part of the decision to provide any assistance. Father Nqindi was times. More residents of the camp had been to commence Operation Murambatsvina. He briefly arrested, but has been released for moved by the government of Robert Mugabe echoed the government position that there now. in the 1980s in the aftermath of the govern- were a lot of robberies, prostitution and ille- It is the government’s intention to trans- ment massacre of Ndebele people in gal money changing involved in the informal fer many of the people displaced from urban Matabeleland. Now residents were on the markets that needed to be curbed. Minister areas to their rural home, if they have one. move again. This time, the camp was com- Mutasa added that crime was down signifi- We saw many trucks carrying furniture leav- pletely razed. Where once thousands of peo- cantly (20% by some government estimates) ing cities, presumably on the way back to ple lived in houses often made of brick and since the operation began. He was adamant the original family home. This exodus has mortar, only ruins remained. that only 40,000 people were involved and been stymied, however, by the lack of fuel in Porta Farm residents told us that four peo- that they did not deserve sympathy. the country. Lacking foreign exchange with ple died in the destruction of that camp: a In fact, the government has told diplo- which to buy sufficient fuel, the government child who was run over by a bulldozer, a matic missions who had been providing food, has been unable to prevent the rapid increase pregnant woman who died after being thrown blankets and medicines to displaced people in gasoline prices, which have risen 300% just into a truck for transport elsewhere and two to stop. In a June 17th article in the due to higher world oil prices. In cities, sub- critically ill people whose treatment was in- Zimbabwe Independent, senior officials at urbs and more rural areas, lines of empty terrupted by the destruction. They were not Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Social Welfare were cars are parked at gasoline stations awaiting the only people who did not survive this op- reported to have ordered governors of prov- word that fuel has arrived. eration. A policeman was killed in Bulawayo inces to block donor groups from distrib- The government also intends to build hous- when the wall of a building he was helping to uting food and clothing to displaced people ing for the displaced persons more consistent tear down fell on him. He died in the United since the article noted that it would ‘‘expose with reasonable urban planning. Governor Bulawayo Hospital. An unknown number of the shortcomings of the controversial cam- Gono told us he is confident that the govern- people have died of exposure or starvation or paign.’’ ment can find one trillion Zimbabwe dollars succumbed to untreated medical conditions There is opposition within the government to add to three trillion in funding already since Operation Murambatsvina began. to requesting food assistance, despite the es- identified to begin construction of housing Estimates range from 300,000 (U.S. em- timated 4.5 million Zimbabweans believed to bassy) to 700,000 (United Nations) displaced soon. However, the shortage of foreign ex- need food this year. Discussions with the persons. An estimated 46,000 people have change currently is forcing the government World Food Program revolved around the been arrested. More than 300,000 children are to choose between importing food or fuel, government allowing assistance while not re- unable to attend school due to being dis- and the level of funding necessary for such a questing it and limiting the supply of food placed or because they have to care for sib- major construction project is far beyond resources to school feeding programs or lings or older relatives in distress. By all ac- known government revenues. Furthermore, through the Grain Marketing Board, which counts, Operation Murambatsvina has exac- to adequately meet the needs of the many has in the past distributed food using polit- erbated existing social problems. Non-gov- displaced people in a timely manner, the ical considerations. ernmental organization representatives told The government was said to be formu- rate of construction would have to exceed us there are now two million widows, 1.5 mil- lating its own response. One such response is any known rate for such a project anywhere lion orphans, 500,000 children with only one the establishment of several transit camps, in the world. surviving parent and 8,000 households headed The lack of housing, already a problem such as the one at Caledonia Farm. The con- by children. even for middle-class Zimbabweans, is now ditions at these camps are widely considered The official rate of HIV–AIDS in Zimbabwe more acute. Housing prices have now doubled to be squalid. According to a July 3rd report is 25%, although it could actually be much and tripled, outpacing the ability to pay of in the Times of London, aid workers say an higher. The way in which Operation working families, even households headed by epidemic of diarrhea has broken out at the Murambatsvina has been applied is certain professionals. Some middle-class people were camp. Conditions were so poor that church to ratchet that percentage up much higher. among those whose homes were demolished, leaders we met with refused to allow the dis- Some women vendors have reported being re- and with this worsened housing crisis, the placed people they were caring for to be quired to give sexual favors to get licenses to homeless in Zimbabwe now include those sell goods. Moreover, with so many women taken to the camp. This concern was confirmed by Lucy who make a good living, but who had the vendors now unable to get a license due to misfortune of losing their homes at the being arrested for having an illegal vending Mwanza, a former resident of the Harare sub- urb of Mbare now living at Caledonia Farm, worst possible time. operation, prostitution is likely to soar in One Zimbabwe businessman, who allegedly who told the United Nations Integrated Re- coming weeks and months. Heretofore, pros- has a source within President Robert gional Information Networks, as reported on titution was not seen as a major contributor Mugabe’s inner circle, told us that the June 14th: ‘‘All they (the government) did to the rate of HIV–AIDS in Zimbabwe. A Zimbabwe president, commenting on the re- was just to come and dump us here, and we higher HIV–AIDS rate also will affect those sults of Operation Murambatsvina reportedly have not heard from them since then. Just countries to which Zimbabweans are fleeing. said: ‘‘What a mess!’’ like the other families that were brought The threat of hunger, estimated by the Indeed, many of his countrymen would here, my five children and I were forced to U.S. embassy to be greater than at any time agree, as they are calling this situation ‘‘the in Zimbabwe’s history, will be exacerbated set up two shacks using plastic and card- Mugabe tsunami.’’ by Operation Murambatsvina. The food def- board boxes, but the cold is unbearable at icit was believed to be 1.6 million metric night.’’ RATIONALE FOR OPERATION MURAMBATASVINA tons prior to the removals and now will rise Father Barnabas Nqindi of the Church of With such devastation to the Zimbabwe dramatically. In the face of rising hunger, the Ascension in Bulawayo told us he was population and to the country’s economy, the government outlawed ‘‘urban farming’’ keeping the more than 100 displaced persons one wonders why Operation Murambatsvina and destroyed gardens in and around cities, at his church where the community has been was undertaken in the first place. Of the despite the fact that many people were grow- generous in helping to provide food and other many reasons offered by sources to whom we ing crops to make up for the lack of avail- supplies. Father Nqindi said the transit spoke, opposition party Member of Par- able produce in Zimbabwe markets. camps, were too open, lacking proper shelter liament offered four reasons

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:28 Dec 15, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00127 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14DE7.151 H14DEPT1 H11634 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 14, 2005 that encompass what others have suggested placed who relocate to rural areas will have leader Tsvangirai and the parliamentary as well. to be ‘‘vetted,’’ meaning that they will have wing, led by Mr. Ncube and Mr. Sibanda. The The ZANU–PF government used Operation to pass a political litmus test to get land, party lacks a strong base among civil soci- Murambatsvina as a tool to punish its polit- work or food assistance until they can get ety, labor or the churches because of its fail- ical opponents. There certainly seems to be established. At the Fountain of Hope Church ure to bring all these stakeholders into their some truth to this contention since this op- we visited in Harare, young men were told to political calculations, and MDC has not ade- eration began in urban areas that had not keep all the necessary identification on quately supported those civil actions that traditionally voted for President Mugabe or them because if they got picked up by police have taken place. With a tarnished reputa- his party. In the March 2005 elections, without it, they could be shipped off to work tion abroad caused by their past linkages to ZANU–PF won only one urban seat. Mr. on a farm. If the commercial farming indus- white farmers providing their funding, this Coltart and others see the government’s ac- try is to be revived, Zimbabwe will need an party needs to reconceptualize its approach tions as purely retribution for the commu- infusion of farm workers, and the displaced if it is to live up to its potential and plays nities that did not vote for the ruling party. (and possibly forced) could provide a pliable significant role in Zimbabwe. However, as mentioned earlier, this oper- rural workforce. Civil society: We met with a number of ation spread from the urban to the suburban INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FORCES NGOs, and the most impressive was Women to the rural areas and punished even ZANU– In considering how to deal with this com- of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA). While much of PF supporters. Whatever the initial ration- the population seems unwilling or unable to ale for this operation, it seems to have got- plex and troubling situation in Zimbabwe, it is useful to consider those actors who could respond pro actively to the crisis in their ten out of hand and fallen victim to a me- country, the members of WOZA put them- lange of agendas. Some ZANU–PF commu- be of use in addressing this crisis. They con- sist of internal and external forces. selves on the line by protesting peacefully nities apparently didn’t vote in appropriate against government repression. Other NGOs Internal Forces numbers in March, and the so-called war vet- are trying to respond in their own way, mon- erans had served their purpose. Still, the re- There are four primary domestic actors in itoring the political process, providing help sponse of many ZANU–PF officials indicated Zimbabwe: for the homeless, offering services to victims ZANU–PF: The ruling party is home to that whoever was targeted by this operation of HIV–AIDS and defending the rights of competing interests that are becoming in- was not to be pitied or helped. Zimbabweans in court. However, other Afri- The ZANU–PF government feared an urban creasingly restive. There are the loyalists, cans who have fought for their freedom, par- uprising and used Operation Murambatsvina such as Didymus Mutasa; the pragmatists, ticularly in South Africa, look down on to clean out potential armed opponents. Mr. such as Vice President Joyce Mujuru and her Zimbabweans, who are seen as too passive in Coltart and others pointed out that the influential husband Simon, and the potential the struggle for their freedom. WOZA mem- ZANU–PF government has mishandled the reformers, such as Speaker of Parliament bers have suffered beatings and arrests to economy so badly that unrest is growing, es- and Gideon Gono. Make no mis- stand up for the rights of all Zimbabweans. pecially with a 70% unemployment rate. The take about it: all these figures and those al- Despite the fact that the Congress of South financial crisis is deep and becoming insur- lied with them arrive at decisions based on African Trade Unions (COSATU) reached out mountable without outside help that may how they are personally affected. Inde- to labor in Zimbabwe and even continued to not be forthcoming. Some sources reported pendent Member of Parliament Jonathan reach out in the face of repeated expulsions that youth, whose unemployment is near Moyo was once a member of Mugabe’s inner from the country, the Zimbabwe Congress of universal, were becoming particularly res- circle, but he is now a proclaimed reformer, Trade Unions (formerly headed by Mr. tive, and some have said there were efforts likely based on his ouster from the ruling Tsvangirai) has not played a strong role in to obtain weapons by urban youth. I must party as much as his natural pragmatism. the battle for Zimbabwe’s future. Strikes emphasize that this report is not broadly The hardliners in ZANU–PF are just about have fizzled because of a lack of commitment corroborated. Nevertheless, the Central In- unreachable. However, there are elements by either civil society leaders or opposition telligence Organization is aware of senti- within the ruling party who might be ame- party leaders. The prospect of facing a brutal ments, and due to their widespread infiltra- nable to working toward a better path for police reaction seems to have frozen efforts tion of organizations and movements Zimbabwe’s future if discussions were initi- to legally, peacefully oppose government ac- throughout Zimbabwe, they are aware of the ated through all available channels. ZANU– tions. PF central committee member and former so-called ‘‘pub talk.’’ Depopulating urban Churches: I have separated churches out Member of Parliament Pearson Mbalekwa poor areas and destroying the dissatisfied from civil society because until quite re- publicly split from the party, and at least 10 war veterans likely does provide some pro- cently, most churches have declined to get other party MPs are said to be considering a tection against those willing and able to rise involved in issues of political rights in favor similar move. Of course, the rapid seizure of up in armed opposition to the government. of sticking with a focus on spiritual needs. The ZANU–PF government was convinced Mbalekwa’s assets is a reminder to potential Operation Murambatsvina led many church- that a vast pool of foreign exchange was tied defectors of what is in store if they leave the es and church leaders to alter their focus to up in the parallel market and used Operation party. Mr. Moyo has managed to survive life include feeding and sheltering people. The Murambatsvina to obtain this currency. As after ZANU–PF, so it is not impossible to government’s heavy-handed evacuation of discussed earlier, the government has mis- carry on successfully after leaving the party displaced people from churches and removal handled the economy to a disastrous extent, if one is as clever as he is. One also must to an uncertain fate may spark a more activ- and according to Dr. Tony Hawkins, econom- keep in mind that those loyal ZANU–PF ist role by churches. The accompanying ar- ics professor at the ’s leaders involved in business ventures know rests of ministers merely trying to meet the School of Business, there is no turnaround in they cannot withstand the growing isola- needs of people may cause more churches to sight. Dr. Hawkins said the central bank is tionism Mugabe’s policies are bringing on challenge the political status quo and sharp- printing money and distributing it, but this Zimbabwe. en their criticism in sermons. Even some of is only exacerbating the inflationary spiral MDC: The opposition Movement for Demo- the hardliners, such as Minister Mutasa, the country is experiencing. The government cratic Change (MDC) has been almost absent have demonstrated concerns about their was widely reported to have raided hotels in from the fray involving Operation spiritual future, and stronger preaching search of significant amounts of foreign cur- Murambatsvina. When we spoke with top of- against cruel and undemocratic government rency, which was not found in the expected ficials from the party, they seemed not to actions could help wear them down as simi- amounts. Businesspeople confirmed that fully understand the political necessity of lar tactics began to do with white racists in their successful Indian colleagues had their identifying with their constituents by spend- the American south during the civil rights homes and businesses raided—again in ing time with them in their misery, helping movement. search of supposed foreign exchange pools to bring shelter or food or just helping them that for the most part were not found. The clean up the rubble that had been their External forces effort to locate and seize large amounts of homes. While thousands were suffering the There are four categories of external forces foreign exchange from the informal sector after-effects of Operation Murambatsvina, that could impact the situation in also has generally failed to turn up enough MDC leader was in South Zimbabwe: foreign exchange to justify the raids. Africa for the release of his autobiography. International community: Thus far, nei- The ZANU–PF government used Operation This party also is in some turmoil. Mr. ther the United States nor the United King- Murambatsvina as a tool of social engineer- Tsvangirai has been quoted as wanting to get dom has been effective in making a positive ing to turn the country into a feudal society rid of his fellow top party leaders, although impact on the situation in Zimbabwe since that is easier to control. With its continual he has denied this. He would have some rea- independence. The British, as the former co- call for displaced people to return to their son to question their loyalty, though, since lonial power, have had to work through the rural roots, the government seems to want party Vice President and resentment of a government to which it to bring people back to the rural areas where Secretary-General Welshman Ncube met ceded power. The United States has had to they rule through appointed headmen. Many with Mugabe while Mr. Tsvangirai was in Ni- deal with the resentment of former guerillas of the dispersed people no longer have a geria meeting with Nigerian President who were never supported in the struggle home in the rural area, never came from the Olusegun Obasanjo. There are some who be- against white minority rule. President rural areas or are foreign-born. Given the lieve this party could split between the so- Mugabe and his loyalists have a long mem- control headmen have in these areas, the dis- called activist wing, led by former labor ory for resentment, and in many ways, they

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:58 Dec 15, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14DE7.154 H14DEPT1 December 14, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11635 live in the past, fixated on the wrongs they ernment and dismissed criticism. Meanwhile, ing the Zimbabwe government out of the cri- feel were done to them in the 1960s, 1970s and an African coalition of civil society groups, sis it has created must not prevent a rapid even since independence. in five news conferences held across the con- response to this crisis. The European Union and nations such as tinent, has appealed to the AU and the UN to (2) Maintain civil society throughout the Australia have placed sanctions on stop Operation Murambatsvina. Mr. Reuel current crisis and enhance their ability to Zimbabwe, but much of the rest of the inter- Khoza, chairman of the New Partnership for serve the needs of the people. President national community apparently has felt that Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has criti- Mugabe last year declined to sign a restric- the problems of Zimbabwe are the responsi- cized the AU for ‘‘shirking its responsi- tive law that would virtually tie the hands of bility of the former colonial power and have bility’’ in comments to Business Day on NGOs by restricting their international shown little patience for engagement with a June 29th, calling on the AU to be ‘‘more funding, but the law is expected to be re- difficult Zimbabwe regime that has too often outspoken’’ in condemning the actions of the vived. Therefore, all U.S. efforts to maintain fashioned its own reality in its interactions Mugabe government. The South Africans Zimbabwe civil society must be undertaken with the rest of the world. Of late, the seem to have heard the message. In its condi- to build their capacity to defend the rights Mugabe government has ‘‘looked East’’ to tions for funding a financial bailout of the and interests of Zimbabwe’s people. This Malaysia and China for salvation from an Zimbabwe government, it is requiring a re- should take the form of increased funding, as international community that has pressed sumption of discussions on cooperation be- possible, for Zimbabwe NGOs, as well as that government to respect the rule of law tween ZANUPF and MDC, economic and gov- technical assistance. As for labor and the and make governance and economic reforms. ernance reforms and renewed respect for rule churches, facilitating ongoing contacts with Even now, the Zimbabwe government is ap- of law. South African government officials counterparts in other countries will be vital pealing to China and Malaysia to save it told us Africans were waiting for the UN re- in enhancing their ability to carry out the from an international community that has port. Now that it has blasted the Zimbabwe increasingly necessary task of safeguarding no faith in its willingness to reform and has government’s actions, all eyes are on Africa the welfare of Zimbabwe’s people. Funding is lost patience with its cavalier attitude to- for its reaction. included in current authorization and appro- ward the rights and welfare of its people. African Diaspora: People of African de- priations bills. International institutions: The United Na- scent throughout the world are often over- (3) Provide support for efforts to inform tions has condemned various actions by the looked as regards the influence they could the Zimbabwean people and the world com- Government of Zimbabwe over the years, but have in bringing to an end the cover under munity about events in Zimbabwe. The es- has done so seemingly reluctantly and inef- which African despots often operate. By in- tablished media has been hampered in the ef- fectively. It’s most recent efforts in voking colonialism, neo-colonialism and rac- fort to film and report on what happens in Zimbabwe, however, were handled carefully, ism, Zimbabwe and other African nations de- Zimbabwe. To offset this limitation, the U.S. and hopefully will be its most important flect criticism as efforts by the white inter- government has funded ‘‘guerilla media’’ to contribution to Zimbabwe ever. By sending national power structure to either diminish film and report on Operation Murambatsvina an envoy whose portfolio was resettlement, their authority or impugn the capability of and other actions taken against Zimbabwe’s the UN appeared to accept the government’s black leadership. In reality, however, Afri- people. Such support must not only con- rationale that Operation Murambatsvina was can leaders such as President Mugabe have tinue, but be expanded. In addition to equip- a legitimate, if clumsy, exercise. That al- shown repeatedly that they do not rule in ment and funding to support guerilla media lowed Ms. Anna Tibaijuka to not only enter the interest of their countrymen. When inside Zimbabwe, support must be extended the country, but examine the situation at Mugabe had the white commercial farms to SW Radio, which has broadcast by short- length with few restrictions. Her report ac- seized, he did not turn the land over to the wave (now medium wave) into Zimbabwe cused excoriated Operation Murambatsvina black farm workers who knew how to till the from London. Moreover, the popular and ef- as a ‘‘disastrous venture’’ and accused the land. When black professionals merely tried fective Voice of American broadcasts must ZANU–PF government of creating a ‘‘human- to defend the legal rights of the average continue and expand as needed. (4) Work with the Zimbabwe business com- itarian crisis of immense proportions.’’ Zimbabwean, they were beaten and jailed. In contrast, the African Union’s initial re- munity at home and abroad to build their ca- When poor black workers tried to create ac- action to the growing Zimbabwe crisis was pacity to survive the economic crisis and ceptable shelter until they could afford bet- to reflexively reject calls to pressure the strive toward improving the country’s eco- ter dwellings, the government destroyed Zimbabwe government to end its evictions, nomic situation. With the dismantling of the their homes and put their lives in limbo. destruction and arrests. AU spokesman formal economy and the recent destruction African-Americans have a long history of Desmond Orjiako told BBC News on June 6th of the informal sector, efforts to rebuild both trying to defend the interests of African peo- that ‘‘If the government that they elected the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, ple. In the 1930s, African-Americans were the says they are restoring order by their ac- as well as a legalized small and micro-busi- leading edge of the movement to save Ethi- tions, I don’t think it would be proper for us ness sector, will be vital in enabling opia from Italian conquest. Through the to go interfering in their internal legisla- Zimbabweans to survive beyond what aid can 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, African-Americans led tion.’’ Evidently, the enormity of this oper- provide, accumulate wealth sufficient to es- the liberation struggle for African nations ation finally convinced AU leaders to take cape poverty and produce tax revenues for a struggling to break free from colonial rule. action, but it was so hastily put together reformed public sector. That will mean en- Many African-Americans, including mem- that it failed to appropriately prepare the couraging the legalization of vendors under a bers of the Congressional Black Caucus, sup- way for its envoy. As a result, Mr. Bahamas rational, equitable policy, in addition to the ported Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle even Tom Nyandunga, a member of the AU Com- reform of the country’s investment policies when the U.S. government did not. Caucus mission on Human and People’s Rights, was so that expatriate Zimbabweans, South Afri- members and African-American opinion confined to his hotel for several days before cans and other investors will feel more cer- leaders have shown interest in positively in- being expelled from Zimbabwe during Ms. tain about the commercial environment. tervening in the Zimbabwe crisis to benefit Tibaijuka’s mission. Meanwhile, the Inter- Such investment would be an encouragement that country’s people. This is an untapped national Monetary Fund will consider expel- to reformist and pragmatic elements of resource that should be utilized for the ben- ling Zimbabwe at an August meeting for fail- ZANU–PF. efit of Zimbabweans and other African peo- ing to make any reasonable attempt to (5) Help legislators in the ruling party and ple who need all the help they can get. honor its loan obligations. the opposition party engage on issues of mu- African community: The AU, as of this RECOMMENDATIONS tual concern. South Africa is encouraging writing, has not reacted publicly to the re- American policy toward Zimbabwe has talks between the ruling and opposition par- jection of its envoy. The organization’s bu- been unable to make any significant impact ties. The most likely basis for commonality reaucrats are likely lamenting the failure to on that country’s government and has had a now is in finding ways to rebuild the coun- follow protocols in dispatching their envoy hostile relationship with the Mugabe govern- try’s economy. Rather than tackling con- and accepting Zimbabwe’s right to reject an ment since independence. Given the factors troversial political issues initially, working envoy forced on them in violation of the gov- as presented earlier, I would suggest the fol- together to save the economy could build a ernment’s sovereignty. African housing min- lowing coordinated strategy to restructure basis for broader cooperation, especially isters, meeting during our visit, accepted U.S. policy: since governance and economic reforms will Zimbabwe’s explanation of the reason or Op- (1) Provide humanitarian assistance to the be inevitable if Zimbabwe’s economy is to be eration Murambatsvina. Moreover, African fullest extent possible to the many displaced revived. U.S. resumption of USAID-funded government have been known to engage in people. Even though the Mugabe government programs to facilitate such parliamentary similar mass evictions, such as Kenya’s re- would be unlikely to receive humanitarian working relationships would be a helpful cent eviction of as many as 30,000 people assistance directly from the United States, contribution to this process. from homes they constructed in the Mau it is in the interest of the people of (6) Engage African nations, through their Forest. Zimbabwe to funnel such help through the governments and people, to stimulate Afri- South Africa’s quiet diplomacy has failed World Food Programme or any other avail- can efforts to help resolve the Zimbabwe cri- to move either the Zimbabweans or their fel- able conduit to meet the housing, food, med- sis. African leaders are loathe be seen as low Southern African Development Commu- ical and other needs of the people of being forced by the developed world to casti- nity nations. Tanzania, Namibia and Zambia Zimbabwe. This assistance must be provided gate one of their own. However, with the have even complimented the Zimbabwe gov- as swiftly as possible, and revulsion as bail- help of the Diaspora, especially African-

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:58 Dec 15, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00129 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14DE7.157 H14DEPT1 H11636 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 14, 2005 Americans, a successful way forward may be Bishop Patrick Mutume, Auxiliary Bishop party realized they were losing their monopoly found to support good governance and eco- for the Catholic Diocese of Mutare on political power, and changed from being a nomic policies that build the capacity of all Hon. Didymus Mutasa—Minister for State government of liberation to one of tyranny and Zimbabweans to escape poverty and not just Security ruthless oppression. Priscilla Mutembwa—Zimbabwe Allied make selected citizens wealthy. This effort In 2001, Congress passed the Zimbabwe could include encouragement of a team of re- Banking Group spected African elders who could speak with Welshman Ncube—MDC Secretary General Democracy and Economic Recovery Act es- President Mugabe about necessary changes, and Member of Parliament tablishing sanctions on specific individuals including his retirement. It also should in- Fr. Barnabas Nqindi—Pastor, Church of who had grossly mismanaged the clude an effort to work through the African the Ascension Zimbabwean economy, instituted draconian Union and civil society across the continent Yvonne Nxumalo—Western Union legislation in opposition to the rule of law, and to promote a just solution to the current cri- Florence Sachikonye—Sachara (clothing used violence to suppress civil society and po- sis. manufacturer) litical opponents during their elections. (7) Selectively engage government officials Otto Saki—Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human In that legislation, Mr. Speaker, we also pro- and ruling party legislators to find ways to Rights end the current crisis and move the country Dr. Peter Kagwanja—International Crisis vided incentives for Zimbabwe’s leaders to re- toward true democracy and economic free- Group turn to the rule of law, to create new political dom. By lumping all of Zimbabwe’s leaders Dr. Anna Tibaijuka—UN Habitat—Special space, and to pursue economic policies that in the same category, there are no channels Envoy would benefit their citizens. for discussions about how to use the levers of Daniel Wang’ang’a—WorldVision Instead of responding to our incentives, con- power to reverse Zimbabwe’s current slide. Jenny Williams—Women of Zimbabwe ditioned only on their respect for the rule of The Zimbabwe Democracy Economic Recov- Arise law and economic common sense, ery Act of 2001 allows for a selective waiver Mari Yamashita—United Nations—Africa Zimbabwe’s leadership lashed out even more of the visa sanctions such that cooperative Division strongly against its own citizens. elements of ZANU–PF could be allowed into South Africa Mr. Speaker, the event this past spring, the United States for discussions, or if a Simon Boshielo—COSATU called ‘‘Operation ‘Throw Out the Trash’,’’ by visit to the U.S. would pose a problem for Richard Cornwell—Institute for Security the Mugabe regime, has taken the govern- such ZANU–PF officials, then meetings could Studies and should be arranged in more neutral set- ment of Zimbabwe to a new low. When a gov- Ross Herbert—South African Institute of ernment begins to describe its own citizens as tings. However and wherever these talks International Affairs take place, they must be held if a way for- Paul Fagan—International Republican In- ‘‘trash,’’ it has lost its sense of purpose and ward is to be found. Isolating the entire rul- stitute become an enemy to its people. ing party and government gives no encour- Tim Hughes—South African Institute of Mr. Speaker, I have monitored carefully the agement for any officials to change their be- International Affairs situation in Zimbabwe and want to share with havior or the direction of the country. Dr. Peter Kagwanja—International Crisis you some of the devastation documented by Zimbabwe has been a persistent problem Group the United Nations, our own Agency for Inter- for U.S. policymakers. It is time for the ex- Dr. Bane Maleke—Development Bank of ecutive and legislative branches to devise a national Development, and Zimbabwean Southern Africa human rights organizations. mutually agreeable, coordinated policy to Chris Maroleng—Institute for Security bring Zimbabwe into ranks of African na- First, Operation ‘‘Throw Out the Trash’’ oc- Studies curred as the Zimbabwean economy is in a tions who have developed political and eco- Strive Masiyiwa—ECONET Wireless nomic stability and help that nation avoid Andrew Meldrum—The Guardian/The Ob- chronic state of decline. Inflation is well over the certain fate of becoming a failed state if server 300 percent. At a time when 70 percent of its course is not changed soon. Such an even- Fr. Richard Menatsi—Southern African Zimbabweans are unemployed, food for a tuality will not only have a tragically nega- Catholic Bishops’ Conference family of six can increase by 160 percent in tive impact on that nation’s population, but —ANC Secretary Gen- one month alone. Compounding these eco- also will be a tremendous burden for the en- eral nomic woes is the HIV/AIDS crisis. Mr. Speak- tire southern African region. It also will rep- Piers Pigou—Zimbabwe Torture Victims/ resent yet another missed opportunity for er, one-quarter of Zimbabweans is infected Survivors Project with HIV/AIDS. Africa to seize available opportunities to Matshidoso Raphadu—South Africa De- make advancements in the global economy. With complete disregard for the suffering of partment of Foreign Affairs its people, the Mugabe’s regime launched APPENDIX Dr. Piet Viljoen—Development Bank of The following are the people we met during Southern Africa ‘‘Operation Throw Out the Trash’’ on May 25, the staff delegation visit. 2005, and within a few weeks, displaced Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of 700,000 individuals from their homes or busi- Zimbabwe my time. Hon. —MDC Member of Par- nesses or both, and indirectly affected 2.4 mil- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield lion people. Of the 700,000 directly displaced, liament myself such time as I may consume. Nikki Blythe-Wood—The Travel Company an estimated 172,200 were living with HIV/ Norberto Celestino—International Organi- (Mr. LANTOS asked and was given AIDS. zation for Migration permission to revise and extend his re- To carry-out the Operation, the government Nigel Chanakira—Success Motivation In- marks.) ordered individuals to tear down their own stitute Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong homes and businesses, then loaded men, Hon. David Coltart—MDC Member of Par- support of this resolution. liament women and children onto trucks, and dumped Lynde Frances—The Centre Mr. Speaker, as the sponsor of this resolu- them in transit camps outside the cities with Dr. Gideon Gono—Governor, Reserve Bank tion, I would first like to express my apprecia- no shelter, food, clothing, medicine, or sanita- of Zimbabwe tion to Chairman HENRY HYDE for his strong tion. Valerie Guarnieri—United Nations World support for this measure and for his help in This occurred during the dead of Food Programme getting it to the floor. I also wish to thank my Zimbabwe’s winter where night temperatures Dr. Tony Hawkins—University of colleagues for their cosponsorship and con- Zimbabwe School of Business can fall to freezing. During the Operation, ba- Munyaradzi Kereke—Reserve Bank of cerns expressed for the people of Zimbabwe. bies were born in the cold winter air and the Zimbabwe Mr. Speaker, for over two decades, the weak and frail died from exposure. Bishop Trevor Manhanga, Bishop of the United States has tried to influence the gov- Mr. Speaker, ‘‘Operation Throw Out the Pentacostal Assemblies of Zimbabwe ernment of Zimbabwe in the right direction. Trash’’ devastated the most vulnerable in Isabella Matambandzo—Open Society Ini- Many in this body supported the liberation of Zimbabwean society including the elderly, the tiative for Southern Africa Dr. Reginald Matchaba-Hove—Zimbabwe Zimbabwe from the oppressive, colonial rule of mentally ill, the physically challenged, mal- Election Support Network ’s Rhodesia. nourished children, and the chronically ill. Hon. Priscilla Mishairambwi—MDC Mem- And for years after independence, Most devastated, perhaps, were individuals ber of Parliament Zimbabwe’s political leaders made great living with HIV/AIDS. The Operation indiscrimi- Shingirai Mmpa—Women of Zimbabwe progress for their people in education, eco- nately tore down health clinics where indi- Arise nomic development, and agricultural produc- vidual received voluntary counseling and test- Hon. —Independent Mem- tion. Until a few years ago, Zimbabwe was ing. Patients on antiretroviral treatment were ber of Parliament Kilton Moyo—WorldVision considered the breadbasket of southern Africa. cut off from their doctors and medicines, while Jonah Mudehwe—National Association of But, Mr. Speaker, all of that changed in home-based care programs for HIV/AIDS pa- Non-Governmental Organizations 2000 when President Robert Mugabe and his tients were decimated.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:58 Dec 15, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00130 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A14DE7.161 H14DEPT1 December 14, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11637 Most shocking, the Operation destroyed PROVIDING THAT HAMAS AND (1) reaffirms its commitment to the safety several HIV/AIDS orphanages where the chil- OTHER TERRORIST ORGANIZA- and security of the democratic State of dren, who had lost both parents and had no TIONS SHOULD NOT PARTICI- Israel; PATE IN ELECTIONS HELD BY (2) asserts that terrorist organizations, family caretakers, also were living with HIV/ such as Hamas, should not be permitted to AIDS. PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY participate in Palestinian elections until In response to an international outcry, the Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I such organizations recognize Israel’s right to U.N. Secretary General appointed a Special move to suspend the rules and agree to exist as a Jewish state, cease incitement, Envoy to assess the situation and report on the resolution (H. Res. 575), providing condemn terrorism, and permanently disarm ways to address the conditions of those af- that Hamas and other terrorist organi- and dismantle their terrorist infrastructure; fected. zations should not participate in elec- (3) calls on the Palestinian Authority President Abbas before the election to de- The Special Envoy reported that the tions held by the Palestinian Author- clare openly his intention to take action to Zimbabwe government’s purported effort to ity, and for other purposes, as amend- dismantle the terrorist organizations; clamp down on illegal dwellings and illicit ac- ed. (4) asserts that the inclusion of Hamas, or tivities, was carried out in an indiscriminate The Clerk read as follows: any other terrorist group on the Department and unjustified manner and with disregard for H. RES. 575 of State’s list of foreign terrorist organiza- national and international law. Whereas the foundation for the Israeli-Pal- tions, in the Palestinian Authority’s govern- She called for bringing those immediately estinian peace process was Palestinian rec- ment will inevitably raise serious questions ognition of Israel’s right to exist and a sol- for the United States about the commitment responsible to account and for immediate rep- of the Palestinian Authority and its leader- arations to those who had lost property and emn obligation to end terrorism and vio- lence; ship to making peace with Israel and will po- their livelihood. Whereas the removal of all Israeli presence tentially undermine the ability of the United Mr. Speaker, on top of this grave injury to in Gaza signifies an end to Israeli responsi- States to have a constructive relationship his people, Mugabe lashed out recently at bility there and a shift in security responsi- with, or provide further assistance to, the U.S. Ambassador Christopher Dell, who sim- bility of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority; Palestinian Authority; and ply told the truth about the regime in power. Whereas Israel’s evacuation of Gaza affords (5) states its strong belief that, as under- lined in every recent Israeli–Palestinian Ambassador Dell stated the simple fact that the Palestinian Authority, now the respon- sible governing authority in Gaza, the oppor- peace agreement, progress in the peace proc- Zimbabwe’s current crisis is due to economic ess requires sustained Palestinian effort to mismanagement and corrupt rule. tunity to demonstrate its ability to govern, to establish the rule of law, to end corrup- dismantle the terrorist infrastructure, and Mr. Speaker, we must reinforce Ambas- tion, and thereby to demonstrate that it is a that delay in confronting that principal obli- sador Dell’s message by passing this resolu- partner for peace; gation only emboldens the opponents of tion today. Whereas Palestinian Authority President peace and threatens its realization. This resolution sends a clear message to Mahmoud Abbas has repeatedly called for The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- President Mugabe and his tyrannical govern- the establishment of ‘‘One Authority, One ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Law, and One Gun’’; ment that we will speak out against his ruling Florida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) and the Whereas since the withdrawal of Israeli gentleman from California (Mr. LAN- party’s harsh abuse of its citizens and con- military forces, the Palestinian Authority demn any actions that harm innocent people. has taken few steps to establish rule of law TOS) each will control 20 minutes. Mr. Speaker, before I close, I want to com- in Gaza; The Chair recognizes the gentle- mend our U.S. AID staff members for their ef- Whereas Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the al-Aqsa woman from Florida. Martyrs’ Brigade, and other terrorist organi- forts to provide emergency shelter, food, cloth- GENERAL LEAVE zations have vowed to continue terrorism ing, blankets, and medicine to Mugabe’s vic- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I tims of ‘‘Operation Throw out the Trash.’’ The against Israeli civilians, seek the destruc- tion of the State of Israel, and employ vio- ask unanimous consent that all Mem- Mission Director, Paul Weisenfeld, and his lence and terror in fulfillment of that aim; bers may have 5 legislative days to re- team, worked around the clock with local part- Whereas the inclusion of Hamas, or any vise and extend their remarks and in- ners to provide relief for the affected people. other terrorist group on the State Depart- clude extraneous material on the reso- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to sup- ment list of foreign terrorist organizations, lution under consideration. port this resolution. into the Palestinian structure could be con- strued as an implicit endorsement of their The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Mr. Speaker, I want to express my objection to the request of the gentle- deep appreciation to my good friend anti-American and anti-Israeli terrorist ide- ology; woman from Florida? and distinguished colleague, Pearl- Whereas the first provision of the Road There was no objection. Alice Marsh, for the extraordinary job Map to Middle East Peace calls for the Pal- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I she has done in connection with this estinians to dismantle the terrorist infra- yield myself such time as I may con- issue. structure; Whereas these terrorist organizations, in- sume. I rise in strong support of House Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Resolution 575, and I commend my dis- of my time. cluding Hamas and Islamic Jihad, operate virtually without interference from the Pal- tinguished colleague and friend, Con- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. estinian Authority; gressman CANTOR, for introducing this Speaker, I have no further requests for Whereas Hamas has announced its inten- resolution and Congressman MCCAUL time, and I yield back the balance of tion to run in Palestinian legislative elec- for his efforts on this measure. I thank my time. tions scheduled for January 2006; also the House leadership, Chairman Whereas Abbas has indicated his willing- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. HYDE and Ranking Member LANTOS of ness to see Hamas participate in the elec- REICHERT). The question is on the mo- the International Relations Committee tion offered by the gentleman from tions without first calling for it to disband its militia or for it to renounce its goal of for helping to bring House Resolution New Jersey (Mr. SMITH) that the House destroying the State of Israel; 575 to the House floor today. suspend the rules and agree to the reso- Whereas the United States has clearly This resolution takes a united stand lution, H. Res. 409, as amended. stated that armed militias attached to polit- against the attempts of the murderous The question was taken. ical parties are incompatible with demo- Islamic extremist organizations to hi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the cratic societies; jack the elections that will be taking Whereas President Bush has stated that opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of place within the Palestinian Author- those present have voted in the affirm- Hamas ‘‘seeks to end dissent in every form, to control every aspect of life . . . the terror- ity. ative. ists are preparing a future of oppression and Hamas, in particular, is inserting Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I misery’’; itself in the political process while demand the yeas and nays. Whereas the forces of freedom must con- fully maintaining and reportedly ex- The yeas and nays were ordered. tinue to keep an untiring vigil against the panding its militant activities. That The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- enemies of rising democracies; and organization’s continuing violence ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Whereas the United States has a long- against Israel and its refusal to disarm standing policy of not dealing or negotiating Chair’s prior announcement, further with terrorists: Now, therefore, be it has been a constant and incendiary im- proceedings on this question will be Resolved, That the House of Representa- pediment in the U.S. efforts to promote postponed. tives— peace and security in the region.

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