RELATING TO THE CAPTURE OF ABIMAEL GUZMAN (Senate - October 02, 1992)

[Page: S16332]

The resolution (S. Res. 346) to express the sense of the Senate regarding the capture on September 12, 1992, of the Peruvian communist and terrorist leader, Abimael Guzman, and for other purposes, was considered and agreed to.

The preamble was agreed to.

The resolution and the preamble are as follows:

S. Res. 346

Whereas Abimael Guzman is the leader of the Maoist communist, terrorist group known as Shining Path;

Whereas Shining Path declared war on the Government of Peru in 1980, and, since that time, has been responsible for tremendous economic devastation and terror and contributed to the death of more than twenty five thousand Peruvian men, women, and children;

Whereas nearly two-thirds of the world supply of cocaine is produced from coca leaf growth in Peru;

Whereas Shining Path promotes and profits from the consumption of illicit narcotics in the United States;

Whereas Shining Path provided armed protection for narcotics traffickers in the Upper Huallaga Valley of Peru;

Whereas Abimael Guzman was captured by the members of the Peruvian Counter-Terrorism National Directorate of the Technical Police of the Government of Peru on September 12, 1992;

Whereas the capture of Abimael Guzman resulted from careful intelligence work carried out under hazardous conditions;

Whereas the capture of Abimael Guzman and several of his immediate subordinates represents an important victory for the Government of Peru in the fight of that government against terrorism and international narcotics trafficking;

Whereas the capture of Abimael Guzman is an important step in the fight against violent anti-democratic forces that have undermined constitutional government in Peru;

Whereas the United States Government has been concerned with the April 5, 1992, decision of President Fujimori of Peru to dissolve the Congress and judiciary of the Government of Peru and to rule by decree; and

Whereas the United States Government has encouraged President Fujimori to move expeditiously to restore constitutional democracy in Peru: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate hereby--

(1) supports the Government of Peru in its determination to fight the violent, anti-democratic terrorist group known as Shining Path;

(2) commends and congratulates the members of the Peruvian Counter-Terrorism National Directorate of the Technical Police who conceived and executed the plan to capture Abimael Guzman, the leader of Shining Path, and several of his immediate subordinates;

(3) encourages the people in all sectors of Peruvian society to commit themselves to the long-term process of overcoming the ravaging social effects of the activities of Shining Path and creating the necessary conditions for the maintenance of a viable constitutional democracy and viable economy in Peru;

(4) encourages the Government of Peru to hold free and fair elections for a constituent assembly on November 22, 1992, under international supervision by the Organization of American States; and

(5) encourages the Government of Peru to continue its efforts to fight terrorism and international narcotics trafficking and to establish the rule of law throughout Peru.

END