27062 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE November 17, 2005 the threat of Saddam Hussein, the ple of Burma live in the darkness of tyr- case. A total of 186 media people (112 journal- same way that President Bush was anny—but the light of freedom shines in ists, 3 assistants and 71 cyber-dissidents) are making those estimates. their hearts. They want their liberty—and imprisoned in 23 countries. What crimes have The Robb-Silberman commission one day, they will have it. they committed? They have revealed sen- sitive issue, called for democracy and great- found Presidential daily briefings to These words should ring loudly and clearly throughout the region. I com- er respect for individual freedoms, refused to contain similar intelligence in ‘‘more give in to censorship or to an enforced line of alarmist’’ and ‘‘less nuanced’’ lan- mend President Bush for these com- thought. In short, they simply tried to do guage. Continuing to quote: ments and for the solid leadership he their jobs. As problematic as the October 2002 [Na- provides in supporting freedom in In an appeal for solidarity with imprisoned tional Intelligence Estimate] was, it was not Burma. Moreover, I applaud the efforts journalists, Reporters Without Borders is or- the Community’s biggest analytic failure on made by President Bush and Secretary ganizing the 16th consecutive annual day of Iraq. Even more misleading was the river of Rice to put Burma on the U.N. Secu- action. We are urging the worldwide news intelligence that flowed from the CIA to top rity Council’s agenda. media- throughout the world— to acknowl- policymakers over long periods of time—in edge the fate of those who have to struggle the President’s Daily Brief and in its more f every day for the right to report the news. widely distributed companion, the Senior SUPPORT FOR JAILED To break the silence concerning their plight and to bring it to the public attention Executive Intelligence Brief. These daily re- JOURNALISTS DAY ports were, if anything, more alarmist and of the public, Reporters Without Borders less nuanced than the [National Intelligence Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, today is calls on the news media to highlight the case Estimate]. ‘‘action day’’ to support jailed journal- of an imprisoned journalist on this year’s That is what one former Democratic ists around the world, as declared by ‘‘action day’’, Thursday, November 17. Senator and a Republican judge, ap- the independent organization, Report- The jails of three countries alone are hold- ing more than half of the world’s imprisoned pointed to a commission to look into ers Without Borders. I rise today to ex- journalists. The three countries that con- this, have reported. When you take all press my support for this cause and to stitute the world’s biggest prisons traps for of these things into consideration, plus emphasize that our country has long the press are China (with 31 journalists be- the quotes of Senator CLINTON that I believed that a free press is a corner- hind bars), Cuba (23), and Eritrea (13). referred to in the year 2002 that I saw stone of democracy, both here and Mobilization is needed to ease the harsh re- on television last night, or the state- abroad. Last year, at my urging, Con- ality of prison conditions. Denied contact ments by President Clinton in 1998 gress created a free press institute at with their families and even proper nourish- when he was President that I saw on the National Endowment for Democ- ment, most of these journalists live within poor or non-existent sanitary conditions. television last night, it seems to me it racy to promote, as part of our democ- They are frequently isolated from fellow is absolutely wrong and misleading to racy-building efforts, free, independent prisoners and left to cope in terrible isola- come up here and say the President of and sustainable news media organiza- tion. the United States and the Vice Presi- tions overseas. This year, I introduced The purpose of this Day is above to free dent were deceiving the American peo- the Free Flow of Information Act to these journalists from yet another prison, ple, particularly when Senators can allow journalists in this country to that of silence and oblivion. Unless their have briefings if they want them. protect the identity of their confiden- cases are regularly brought before inter- tial sources. After I introduced the leg- national public the guilty governments will f retain impunity. They will have no reason to islation, a reporter for one of Amer- FREEDOM IN ASIA AND BURMA worry about the fate of prisoners in their ica’s most respected media organiza- jails. Publicity thus becomes a sort of ‘‘life Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I tions, Judith Miller of the New York insurance’’ contributing directly to the pro- want to take a moment to commend Times, was jailed for 85 days for failing tection of the prisoners. President Bush for his superb remarks to disclose a confidential source, while It also allows a furtherance of the struggle regarding freedom and democracy in another, Matt Cooper of Time maga- begun by the imprisoned journalists. Articles Asia. It is fitting that these comments zine, was also threatened with jail for that media write about them underscore the were made in Japan, a key strategic the same reason. I believe that in order reasons and the circumstances of their arrest as well as the issues the journalists were ally of the United States. for the United States to foster the I will not recount the entire speech— working on before they were imprisoned. In spread of freedom and democracy glob- speaking about their case, the sponsor cir- which I encourage all my colleagues to ally, we must support an open and free cumvents the censorship they suffered and read—but will highlight two para- press at home. exposes the unfairness of their imprison- graphs. The President said: According to Reporters Without Bor- ment. Unlike China, some Asian nations still ders, 112 journalists are currently A media’s decision to cover the plight of a have not taken even the first steps toward jailed in 23 countries, including places journalist demonstrates its commitment to freedom. These regimes understand that eco- like China, Cuba, Eritrea, and Burma. defend the right to freely inform and to be nomic liberty and political liberty go hand informed. It allows journalists to show their in hand, and they refuse to open up at all. This is not good company for the solidarity with colleagues with whom they The ruling parties in these countries have United States to keep. I urge the ad- share their passion for a job that is so cru- managed to hold onto power. The price of ministration and our diplomats over- cial to ensuring democracy. Since this cam- their refusal to open up is isolation, back- seas to do everything they can to gain paign was launched in 1989, more than 100 wardness, and brutality. By closing the door the release of these jailed journalists, journalists have been sponsored by media all to freedom, they create misery at home and who were doing nothing more than try- around the world. Some media outlets de- sow instability abroad. These nations rep- ing to keep their fellow citizens in- cided to cover their plight without endorsing resent Asia’s past, not its future. formed. I ask unanimous consent that one particular case. Almost half of them We see that lack of freedom in Burma—a have been released and in part as a result of nation that should be one of the most pros- the following information from Report- the support from their sponsors. Several perous and successful in Asia but is instead ers Without Borders be printed in the journalists sponsored by International media one of the region’s poorest. Fifteen years RECORD. have been released like Fatimah Nisreen ago, the Burmese people cast their ballots— There being no objection, the mate- (The Maldives) amnestied on 9 May 2005 or and they chose democracy. The government rial was ordered to be printed in the Raul Rivero (Cuba) released on 30 November responded by jailing the leader of the pro-de- RECORD, as follows: 2004. mocracy majority. The result is that a coun- On the day of their release, many journal- try rich in human talent and natural re- 16TH JAILED JOURNALISTS’ SUPPORT DAY, ists stressed the value of not feeling ‘‘utterly sources is a place where millions struggle THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2005. forgotten’’. It gave them the courage to con- simply to stay alive. The abuses by the Bur- Reporters Without Borders calls on the tinue to bear their imprisonment. mese military are widespread, and include media to demonstrate their solidarity with The struggle the news media undertake rape, and torture, and execution, and forced imprisoned journalists. We were exception- alongside Reporters Without Borders to de- relocation. Forced labor, trafficking in per- ally active when journalists were being held fend the existence of a free press is not hope- sons, and use of child soldiers, and religious hostage in Iraq, and our challenges may less. Even when those steps appear to have discrimination are all too common. The peo- seem less urgent now. But that is not the been in vain, we know that international

VerDate Sep 11 2014 10:59 Mar 02, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00512 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK20\BR17NO05.DAT BR17NO05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE November 17, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 27063 backing for a prisoner brings essential psy- He had to answer 10 charges, based on com- or imprisoned, waging public- awareness chological support and often protects his or plaints filed by the ministry of intelligence, campaigns and taking care offering help to her life. This achievement alone represents a the police and a former minister of intel- of journalists who are forced to flee their victory over authoritarianism and repression ligence. The prosecutor accused him of ‘‘act- country, Reporters Without Borders takes carried out by so many governments. ing against national security’’, ‘‘circulating action every day to combat censorship. Please find below: propaganda against the Islamic system’’, and PRESS FREEDOM BAROMETER —a few examples of cases of jailed journal- ‘‘insulting religious figures.’’ He was also ac- Worldwide, more than 684 journalists have ists cused of publishing articles accusing senior been killed since 1992. —press freedom barometer—Key statistics officials of involvement in the murder of re- —the list of 112 journalists imprisoned More than 1,450 journalists were arrested, gime opponents and intellectuals in 1998. In beaten, threatened, kidnapped or otherwise worldwide (as of November 2, October 2005) May 2001, his sentence was reduced from 10 —the list of the current sponsors harassed and more than 320 media were years to six months. In July 2001, the Su- censored in 2004. Yu Dongyue—CHINA preme Court increased it to 6 years. 53 journalists have been killed since the Akbar Ganji was held in Evin prison in A journalist and art critic with the start of 2005. Liuyang News, he was arrested on 23 May Tehran, where he was able to continue read- 5 media assistants have lost their lives 1989 during student demonstrations in ing and writing. But he was not able to tele- since the start of 2005. Tienanmen Square in Beijing. He was con- phone his family or receive medical treat- 73 journalists have been killed in Iraq in victed on 11 July that year of ‘‘sabotage’’ ment despite suffering from acute asthma. March 2003, making it the deadliest war for and ‘‘counter-revolutionary propaganda’’ and He began a hunger strike on June 11 and lost the press since World War II. jailed by the Beijing intermediate municipal 44 kilos in the course of the next month. Worldwide, 112 journalists and 3 media as- court for 20 years, with five years depriva- Akbar Ganji finally calls off his hunger sistants are currently in prison for doing tion of civil rights. His sentence was cut by strike after more than 60 days. He was sent their job. two years in March 2000 but he is not due to back to Evin prison in early September. 71 cyber-dissidents are currently in prison, be released until 21 May 2007. Yu is suffering Pham Hong Son—VIETNAM 62 of them in China. 112 journalists are cur- from psychological problems as a result of Medical doctor and local representative of rently in prison just for trying to report the long spells in solitary confinement. a foreign pharmaceutical company. He has news. Miguel Galva´ n Gutie´rrez—CUBA been in prison since March 2002 for trans- The jails of three countries alone are hold- Journalist with the independent news lating and posting online an article from the ing more than half of the world’s imprisoned agency Havana Press, he was accused of local US embassy website called ‘‘What is de- journalists. being ‘‘a mercenary in the pay of a foreign mocracy?’’ and an essay called ‘‘Encouraging The three countries that constitute the power’’ and convicted to 26 years in jail. As signs for democracy in Vietnam.’’ He had world’s biggest prisons traps for the press with other dissidents arrested at the time, earlier written and posted on Vietnamese on- are China (with 31 journalists behind bars), his arrest reportedly came after a long line discussion groups several articles advo- Cuba (23), and Eritrea (13). search of his home and seizure of papers and cating democracy and human rights. Their crimes? Revealing embarrassing equipment such as a typewriter, fax machine He was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment facts, demanding more respect for civil and phone. He appeared last August before in June 2003 for ‘‘spying,’’ followed by three rights, or refusing to submit to censorship or the prison disciplinary council for sending years of house arrest, by the Hanoi People’s adopt a particular set of views. Physical and information to Miami radio stations. He was Court. The prison sentence was reduced on psychological harassment, intimidation and then put in solitary confinement, without appeal to five years on 26 August that year. permanent surveillance are also used rou- electricity, and was not allowed to use the He has a groin hernia which could kill him tine. phone. if he does have an operation. The 112 journalists imprisoned worldwide His health has steadily worsened in prison. Dominique Makeli—RWANDA (as of November 2, October 2005) Afghanistan (1): Ali Mohaqiq Nasab: sen- His frequent spells in solitary confinement Dominique Makeli, a Radio Rwanda com- tenced to two years in prison. (73 days in his first 11 months) aggravated mentator, has been in prison in Rwanda Algeria (1): Mohammed Benchicou: sen- his ailments, including frequent diarrhea, since 18 September 1994. After being moved tenced to two years in prison. stomach and joint pains, swollen feet and a several times, he is now in the main prison Burma (6): Lazing La Htoi: arrested on paralyzed arm and, in April 2005, high fever, in Kigali. July 27 July, 2004, and still awaiting trial. urinary problems and back pain. He does not The public prosecutor told Reporters With- Ne Min: sentenced to 15 years. get the medicine he needs. out Borders in October 2001 that he was ac- Monywa Aung-Shin: sentenced to 7 years. Win Tin—BURMA cused of ‘‘incitement to genocide in his re- Than Win Lhaing: sentenced to 7 years. porting.’’ He had reported on an apparition Win Tin, one of the political mentors of Thaung Tun: sentenced to 8 years. Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, of the Virgin Mary in Kibeho (west of Win Tin: sentenced to 20 years. continues to serve his 20–year prison sen- Butare) in May 1994 and had quoted her sup- China (31): Asia continues to be the world’s tence. He is regularly offered freedom in ex- posed words : ‘‘The parent is in heaven.’’ most repressive continent for journalists. In The prosecutor said people would have un- change for a signed promise to give up all po- East Asia, China is ranked 159th in the Re- derstood this as divine support for President litical activity. But ‘‘Saya’’ (Teacher), as his porters Without Borders Worldwide Press [Juvenal] Habyarimana and, by extension, friends call him, has always refused to cut Freedom Index (October 20, 2005), making. for the policy of exterminating Tutsis. such a deal and break his ties with the Na- That puts it among one of the world’s 10 Thiswas disputed by Makeli and many wit- tional League for Democracy, which was worst countries. Some media have been nesses. His case-file was sent in August 2004 cheated out of its landslide victory at the privatized, but the government’s propaganda to a gacaca (a village court system revived 1990 general elections. department is watchful scrutinizing the by the authorities). He was convicted of ‘‘subversion’’ and media and the banned media has been banned Complete biographies of these journalists ‘‘anti-government propaganda.’’ In 1996, he from covering dozens of sensitive subjects in and others are available upon request. Please was held for five months in a dog-kennel at the course of the pover the last year. Crack- contact Lucie Morillon, Reporters Without Rangoon’s Insein prison. He has since had downs by the authorities and violence Borders Washington Director, (202) 256–5613 two heart attacks and lost most of his teeth. against journalists by armed groups prevent or [email protected]. Now 75, he has been shuttling back and forth are keeping the media from expressing them- between his cell and the spartan prisoners’ PRESS FREEDOM KEY STATISTICS AS OF selves freely. wing of Rangoon hospital for the past few NOVEMBER 2, 2005 Ching Cheong: imprisoned in jail since years. Reporters Without Borders has been de- April 22, 2005. Still awaiting trial. These days, Burma’s military rulers treat fending the public’s right to news and infor- Tashi Gyaltsen, Lobsang Dhargay, Thoe him with a little more respect and he now mation for 20 years. It intervenes as soon as Samden, Tsultrim Phelgay, Jampel Gyatso: has his own cell. But he is still not allowed possible when the freedom to inform and be imprisoned since January 14, 2005. Awaiting to write anything. informed is under threat is at risk, or as trial. Akbar Ganji—IRAN soon as a journalist somewhere in the world Shi Tao: sentenced to 10 years in prison. This Iranian journalist with the reformist is imprisoned anywhere just for doing their Zhao Yan: awaiting trial. daily Sobh-e-Emruz, Neshat and Asr-e´- job. Journalists are still being routinely tar- Li Minying: sentenced to 6 years. Azadegan was arrested on April 22, 2000 when geted in more than half the world’s countries Yu Huafeng: sentenced to 8 years. he returned from a conference in Berlin that represented at the United Nations. Zhang Wei: sentenced to 6 years. the Iranian authorities considered ‘‘anti-Is- By paying for defense lawyers when to as- Zuo Shangwen: sentenced to 5 years. lamic’’ and ‘‘anti-revolutionary.’’ In January sist journalists are tried at their trial, giving Ou Yan: his release date has yet to be an- 2001, he was sentenced to 10 years in jail and financial aid to the families of murdered or nounced. Although he has already completed to banishment. imprisoned journalists who have been killed a 2-year prison sentence.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 10:59 Mar 02, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00513 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK20\BR17NO05.DAT BR17NO05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 27064 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE November 17, 2005 Wang Daqi: sentenced to 1 year in prison, Eritrea (13): 166th in the Worldwide Press Rwanda (4): Father Guy Theunis: impris- he was not freed after completing serving his Freedom Index-, is a ‘‘black hole’’ country oned since September 10, 2005, pending trial. sentence. for news. Not one of the 13 journalists cur- Jean-Leo´ nard Rugambage: detained since Lu Wanbin: arrested on December 22, 2001. rently detained in custody has ever been September 7, 2005, pending trial. Awaiting trial. given a trial. So therefore, none has received Tatiana Mukakibibi: detained since Octo- Ma Linhai: arrested on November 24, 2001. an official sentence. ber 2, 1996. Has not yet been tried. Awaiting trial. Hamid Mohamed Said, Saleh Al Jezaeeri Dominique Makeli: imprisoned since Sep- Feng Daxun: he was never released after and Saidia Ahmed have been in prison since tember 18, 1994. Not yet been tried. completing a 3-year prison sentence. February 2002. Sierra Leone (1): Paul Kamara: serving Jiang Weiping: sentenced to 9 years. Seyoum Tsehaye, jailed since September prison sentences totalling 4 years (two year Xu Zerong: sentenced to 13 years. 21, 2001. sentences). Li Jian: arrested in November 1999. No Temesgen Gebreyesus and Said Tunisia (1): Hamadi Jebali: sentenced on news about his trial. Abdulkader, since September 20, 2001. January 31, 1991 to 1 year in prison for defa- Zha Jianguo: sentenced to 9 years. Mattewos Habteab and Yusuf Mohamed mation. Given an additional 16–year sentence Gao Hongming: sentenced to 8 years. Ali, since September 19, 2001. on August 28, 1992 for ‘‘membership in an il- Yu Tianxiang: sentenced to 10 years. Medhanie Haile, Emanuel Asrat, Dawit legal organization’’ and ‘‘wanting to change Gao Qinrong: sentenced to 13 years. Isaac and Fessehaye Yohannes, since Sep- the nature of the state.’’ Qin Yongmin: sentenced to 12 years. tember 18, 2001. Turkey (2) Memik Horuz: sentenced to 15 Fan Yingshang: sentenced to 15 years. Dawit Habtemichael, since September 2001. years in prison on June 13, 2002 to 15 years in Zhang Yafei: sentenced to 11 years. Ethiopia (2): Neither of the two imprisoned prison. Hu Liping: sentenced to 10 years. journalists have been tried, and so neither of Sinan Kara: sentenced to 9 months in pris- Yu Dongyue: sentenced to 20 years. them have been officially sentenced. on. Chen Renjie and Lin Youping: sentenced to Shiferraw Insermu and Dhabassa Wakjira: Working together to advance the cause of life imprisonment in July 1983. imprisoned prisoners since 22 April 2004. press freedom. Reporters Without Borders North Korea (1): There has been no news of Iraq (5): Five journalists are being held in- would like to thank the sponsors of impris- Song Keum Chul since he was jailed in 1996. communicado by the US Army without any oned journalists for all they have done and Cuba (24): 161st place in the Worldwide information being provided to them. will continue to do to achieve obtain the re- Press Freedom Index. Two journalists have Hameed Majeed: detained since September lease of those they have their adopted col- just joined the 21 others who have been im- 15, 2005. leagues. prisoned since the March 2003 crackdown. Ali Omar Abrahem Al-Mashadani: detained Since 1989, we have been inviting the One of them, Oscar Mario Gonza´ lez Pe´rez, is since August 8, 2005. French and international news media to awaiting trial and faces up to 20 years in Samer Mohamed Noor: imprisoned behind adopt journalists who are in prison just for prison under Law 88, which that protects bars since June 4, 2005. doing their jobs. On November 17, sponsors ‘‘Cuba’s national independence and econ- Ammar Daham Naef Khalaf: detained since are will be asked to take special initiatives omy.’’ April 11, 2005. specific actions to pressure authorities for Lamasiel Gutie´rrez Romero: sentenced to 7 Abdel Amir Younes Hussein: in prison releasing of their adopted journalists and to months in prison. since April 5, 2005. publicize their cases, so that they will not be Albert Santiago Du Bouchet Ferna´ ndez: Iran (6): Mohammad Sedigh Kabovand: sen- forgotten and so that the publicity affords sentenced to 1 year in prison. tenced to 18 months. will offer them some protection from their Normando Herna´ ndez Gonza´ lez: sentenced Madh Amadi: awaiting trial, in prison jailers. By writing to journalists in prison, to 25 years. since July 28, 2005. contacting their families, protesting to the Omar Moise´s Ruiz Herna´ ndez: sentenced to Masoud Bastani: awaiting trial, in prison relevant competent authorities, and getting 18 years. since July 25, 2005. Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta: sentenced to Siamak Pourzand: sentenced to 11 years in viewers, listeners, readers and Internet users 20 years. prison. Thanks to international pressure, he interested in their cases, the news organiza- Alejandro Gonza´ lez Raga: sentenced to 14 was given leave to return home for an indefi- tions, festivals and city halls who are spon- years. nite period in December 2002, but was sent sors can help Reporters Without Borders to Alfredo Felipe Fuentes: sentenced to 26 back to prison on March 30, 2003. support these men and women whose only years. Hossein Ghazian: sentenced to four-and-a- crime is was wanting to reporting the news. Mijail Barzaga Lugo: sentenced to 15 years. half years in prison. Thanks to the media that support a jour- Mario Enrique Mayo Herna´ ndez: sentenced Akbar Ganji: sentenced to 6 years in pris- nalist: to 20 years. on. 93.3 Radio Que´bec, Christian Action for the Pablo Pacheco A´ vila: sentenced to 20 Laos (1): Thongpaseuth Keuakoun was sen- Abolition of Torture and Executions (ACAT), years. tenced to 20 years in prison. AGEFI, Agencia Cover, Agriculture Horizon, Fabio Prieto Llorente: sentenced to 20 Libya (1): Abdullah Ali Al-Sanussi Al- Alternatives Internationales, Amiens years. Darrat has been in prison since January 1, Me´tropole—JDA, Amina, Antena 3 TV, Arte, Adolfo Ferna´ ndez Sainz: sentenced to 15 1973 and, is by all accounts, has yet to have Associacio´ n de la Prensa de Ca´ diz, Assas/IFP, years. been sentenced. Avaldoci-Union Web periodistas, Azur FM, He´ctor Maseda Gutie´rrez: sentenced to 20 Maldives (3): Jennifer Latheef: sentenced Bel RTL (French-language Belgian radio sta- years. to 10 years in prison. tion), BFM, Cadena SER, Cambio 16 Julio Ce´sar Ga´ lvez Rodrı´guez: sentenced to Colonel Mohammed Nasheed: awaiting Aldateka Hamasei, Espacio de Informacion 15 years. trial. General (EIG), Cape Breton Post, Baden- Alfredo Manuel Pulido Lo´ pez: sentenced to Abdullah Saeed: awaiting trial. Baden Press Club, Bordeaux Press Club, 14 years. Morocco (2): Anas Tadili: sentenced to 10 Clermont-Ferrand Press Club, Lille Press Jose´ Ubaldo Izquierdo Herna´ ndez: sen- months in prison on a non-political charge Club, Montpellier Press Club, Nimes Press tenced to 16 years. dating back 10 years, and then was given an Club, La Semaine de Nıˆmes, Press Club of Victor Rolando Arroyo Carmona: sen- additional 6 months in a press case. The sen- Saint-Etienne and La Loire, UCPF, tenced to 26 years. tences were commuted to 1 year on appeal Strasbourg Press Club, Toulon Press Club, Miguel Galva´ n Gutie´rrez: sentenced to 26 (on September 29, 2004) to one year. The Ju- Pays Basque Press Club, Grenoble and Ise`re years. dicial authorities are investigating some 10 Press Club, Corriere Canadese, Coup d’oeil/ Pedro Argu¨ elles Mora´ n: sentenced to 20 other accusations that have been brought Vers l’avenir, Courrier International, years. against him. Dernie`res Nouvelles d’Alsace, Omar Rodrı´guez Saludes: sentenced to 27 Abderrahmane El Badraoui: sentenced to 4 Diariocritico.com, Echo vedettes, Edmonton years. years. Sun, El Correo Espanol/El Pueblo Vasco, El Jose´ Luis Garcı´a Paneque: sentenced to 24 Nepal (2): Nagendra Upadhyaya and Mundo, El Pais, El Periodico de Catalunya, years. Tejnarayan Sapkota: detained under an anti- El Punt, El Siglo, En Marche, Enjeux Ricardo Gonza´ lez Alfonso: Reporters With- terrorist law, and awaiting trial. internationaux, Festival International du out Borders correspondent, sentenced to 20 Uzbekistan (4): Nosir Zokirov: sentenced Scoop et du Journalisme, Flair/L’Hebdo, years. on August 26, 2005 to 6 months in prison. France 2, France 3 sud Languedoc- Ivan Herna´ ndez Carrillo: sentenced to 25 Sabirjon Yakubov: sentenced to 20 years in Roussillon, France bleu pays d’Auvergne, years. prison. France Culture, France Info, France Inter, Egypt (1): Abd al-Munim Gamal al Din Abd Jusuf Ruzimuradov: arrested on August 18, France Soir, Fun Radio, Gene`ve Home Infor- al Munim has been subject to serving out an 1999. Sentenced to 8 years in prison. mation (GHI), Grands Reportages, indefinite internment order since October 30, Mohammed Bekjanov: sentenced to 15 www.cubantrip.com, Ici, Il Manifesto 1993. years in prison. (Rome)(Q), Institut Pratique de Journalisme,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 10:59 Mar 02, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00514 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK20\BR17NO05.DAT BR17NO05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE November 17, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 27065 ISR Info, JHR McGill Newsletter, gram, our crime rates were at all-time the local officer who knows the neigh- Kommunalarbetaren, L’Expansion, highs. At that time, we made a com- borhood who will be able to provide the L’Express, L’Express.fr, L’Humanite´, mitment to our State and local law en- types information necessary to help in- L’Union du Cantal, L’Union(s), La presse forcement partners. During those filtrate a local terror cell. In addition, dans tous ses e´tats CIBL, La Tribune, La Vanguardia, La Voz del Occidente, Le years, we invested roughly $2.1 billion it will be a local officer walking the Courrier Picard, Le Devoir, Le Figaro, Le for State and local law enforcement beat who happens to catch a suspect Journal du Dimanche, Le Ligueur, Le Maine each year and substantially upgraded trying to pump sarin gas into the local libre, Le Monde, Le Mouv’, Le Nouvel our ability to combat crime. We added mall air-conditioning ducts. It won’t be Observateur, Le Nouvelliste (Q), Le Peuple, over 100,000 officers to patrol our neigh- a brave Special Forces agent with Le Populaire du Centre, Le Quotidien borhoods, and we expanded crime pre- night vision goggles; it will be a local Jurassien, Le Reflet, Le Re´publicain Lor- vention programs such as community cop walking the beat. In this era of un- rain, Le Semeur hebdo, Le Soir, Le Soir certainty, we need to be providing ´ ´ policing programs across the Nation. Magazine, Le Telegramme de Brest et de more support for our local police agen- l’Ouest, Le Vif/L’Express, Les Cle´s de What was the ultimate result? Crime l’Actualite´, Les Petites affiches, Lethbridge rates for violent crime, murder and cies to help make their efforts against Herald, Libe´ration, www.liberation.fr, rape were all reduced, and today they terrorism and crime as robust as pos- L’Inde´pendant, Maires de France, Mairie remain at all-time lows. Many law en- sible. d’Arlanc, Mairie de Longeau, Mairie de forcement experts and local officials And by cutting the drug court pro- Nancy, Mairie de Romans/Romans Magazine, credit the COPS Program for helping gram—one of the most effective pro- Maison de la presse de Charleroi, Maison de to achieve these results. In fact, no grams to reduce substance abuse in the la presse de Mons, McGill Daily, Me´moire de one, to my knowledge, with law en- criminal population—we are sending a trame, Me´tro Belgique, Midi Libre, devastating message to the 16,000 indi- ¨ forcement expertise has argued other- Milhistorias, Miljorapporten, Mirror, Mozaik viduals that graduate from drug courts Media, Nice Matin, NRJ, Okapi, Ottawa Cit- wise. The International Association of izen, Ottawa Sun, Ouest-France, Paca Infor- Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs each year. We are telling them that we mations e´conomiques, Paris Normandie, Association, the Fraternal Order of Po- don’t care that diversion programs are Pe`lerin magazine, Perfiles, Periodistas- lice, the National Association of Police successful at helping people overcome es.org, Photographie.com, Plurimedias, Organizations, and other local law en- addiction to reenter society as produc- ‘‘Points chauds’’ sur Telequebec, Pressens forcement groups all support the COPS tive citizens, holding down jobs, and re- Tidning, Prix Bayeux des correspondants de Program. Attorney General Ashcroft gaining custody of their children. We guerre, Radio Classique, Radio contact/Con- are sending a message that we would tact Inter Radio Coˆ te d’Amour, Radio has stated that the COPS Program was a miraculous success, and Attorney prefer to revert to the bad old days of Nostalgie, REE, RFI, RMC, RNE, RTBF, locking up nonviolent drug offenders in RTBF TV, RTL–TVI, Servimedia, General Gonzalez stated that the COPS prisons where most will get no drug So¨ dermanlands Nyheter, Star Phoenix, SVM Program put officers on the street and treatment and they will most likely MAC, Te´le´ Bruxelles, Te´le´pro, Te´le´rama, we reduced crime. Moreover, a recent TF1, The Concordian, The Link, The Tele- just sink deeper into a life of crime. report by the Government Account- And what message are we sending to gram, Tiempo, TV3, TV3 de Catalunya, TV5 ability Office concluded that COPS hir- monde, TVE-Television nationale, UDF, Vers the 70,000 people currently enrolled in l’avenir, Vlan, VSD, www.expotimes.net, ing grants had an impact on reducing drug courts who are working hard to www.press-list.com, Les Journalistes- crime rates. live sober, crime-free lives? By slashing Why would the Congress eliminate a e´crivains pour la Nature et l’Ecologie. funding for the drug court program we program that is strongly supported by f are telling them that we are not in- local law enforcement officials and has vested in their recovery and we are SCIENCE-STATE-JUSTICE been proven effective by statisticians APPROPRIATIONS putting their future in drug court pro- at the Government Accountability Of- grams in jeopardy. Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, yesterday fice? Well, it has its basis in ideology. It makes absolutely no sense to me the U.S. Senate approved the con- Some of my Republican colleagues that we are cutting this cost-effective ference report to accompany H.R. 2862, argue that local crime is a local prob- program by 75 percent. By enrolling the Science-State-Justice appropria- lem and the Federal Government nonviolent drug offenders in drug tions bill. I voted for this legislation should not be funding these local ef- courts, States save an enormous because it provides critical funding for forts. I completely disagree. How can it amount of money. One study showed the Department of Justice, the FBI, be a local responsibility when roughly that California’s drug courts save the and the Drug Enforcement Administra- 60 percent of all the crimes committed State $18 million a year. Another study tion. However, I rise to explain that I in America relate to drugs, abuse of showed that every dollar spent on a am voting for this bill reluctantly be- drugs, and the sale and trafficking of drug court program saves the city of cause I feel that some of the funding illicit drugs? These drugs are smuggled Dallas, TX, $9.43 over a 40 month pe- priorities set forth in the bill will leave across our national borders from State riod. It is inconceivable to me that we our communities more vulnerable to to State and city to city by sophisti- would choose to cut this program. The terrorist attacks traditional crime. In cated drug cartels and street gangs. National Association of Drug Court particular, this bill continues the How does a local sheriff prevent drugs Professionals estimates that our ac- wrongheaded trend of slashing Federal that start out in a foreign country tions here today will result in more funding for State and local law enforce- from being trafficked into his or her than 13,000 individuals losing access to ment and important criminal justice county? How does a police chief pre- drug court services. These 13,000 people programs. This bill slashes funding for vent the recruitment of local kids into will likely continue their lives of crime the Justice Assistance Grant and the international street gangs? In my opin- and drugs and being a threat to public COPS Program. And, for the first time, ion, crime is a national problem, and it safety instead of getting enrolled in a the Congress has decided to zero out requires a national response. The COPS tough-love program that will help the COPS hiring Program. I believe Program demonstrated the Federal them to turn their lives around and get that this decision is a terrible mistake Government’s commitment to ap- sober. It is truly a tragedy. on so many levels, and I fear that our proach crime as a national problem— It is my opinion that we found a win- Nation’s citizens will be less safe from and it worked. ning formula when we made the deci- traditional crime and terrorism as a re- I would also point out that State and sion to invest in our State and local sult. Further, the bill slashes Federal local law enforcement forms our first law enforcement partners and smart on assistance for the effective and cost-ef- line of defense against terrorism. crime initiatives in the nineties, and I ficient drug court program by an as- Homeland security experts have point- believe that we are making a terrible tounding 75 percent. ed out the value that community polic- mistake when we reduce funding for Back in 1994 when we passed the leg- ing programs can have in combating them. There is no greater responsi- islation that created the COPS Pro- terrorism. This only makes sense—it is bility of the Federal Government than

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