This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.

Oral Testimony of Administrator J. Brian Atwood
Before the House International Relations Committee
Washington, D.C., July 16, 1997
U.S. Agency for International Development

It is a pleasure to appear here today to discuss the ongoing situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Just two month's ago, Zaire stood as a monument to the terrible toll autocracy, corruption, poverty and combat can inflict upon a nation. The Democratic Republic of the Congo inherited some of the most desperate indicators of human suffering in the world: A per capita income of $120, six percent of the population with access to sanitation, less than 50 percent of its children immunized against TB, polio and measles; and some of the highest infant mortality and lowest life expectancy rates in the world.

The bitter legacy of the Mobutu regime also casts a pall across the political landscape. We have all been deeply disturbed by reports of the killings, lack of humanitarian access and repression of opposition voices. Bringing a lasting transformation to the Congo will take a sea-change in that nation's political culture.

One of our greatest concerns in the Congo continues to be the human rights situation. I am hopeful that the United Nations will be able to begin an investigation into human rights abuses expeditiously. The progress of such an investigation will, of course, affect the structure and depth of our assistance plans for the Congo. We will not turn a blind eye to abuses by any party.

The Congo does have tremendous economic potential, it is a linchpin of regional security and could prove to be a stabilizing force in a region that has endured many internal conflicts and hosts huge numbers of refugees. Similarly, the Congo's efforts to address sweeping concerns such as rapid population growth, environmental degradation and the spread of infectious diseases will ultimately have ramifications that go far beyond its national borders.

The course this African nation takes over the next several years -- good or bad -- will have tremendous impact. In Africa and elsewhere we have seen the high costs of failed states, and we have seen the United States forced to respond to imploding nations with massive humanitarian relief often delivered with the assistance of U.S. military forces. No one wants to see the Congo return to such a spiral of chaos.

By any standard, the Congo is at a turning point. The Clinton Administration believes that we must maximize the opportunities we face in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while remaining clear-eyed about the tremendous obstacles we face. To not engage is to risk losing the opportunity to make a lasting difference. We are planning for the allocation of approximately $10 million during fiscal year 1997 to assist the transition toward democracy and free markets in the Congo.

Our assistance is directly contingent upon on the policies and actions of the new government. The choice is a simple one. If this government acts responsibly and as a good partner we will support their efforts with direct and targeted assistance. If this government rejects the notion of open markets and open government, it will do so without the assistance of the United States. At this juncture, we remain cautiously optimistic and are actively exploring ways of harnessing the positive forces within the government and the country.

Our overall strategy for the Congo is built around three principal activities delivered at both a national and regional level: supporting a transition to democracy and free markets; providing immediate tangible benefits to the people of the Congo through activities such as meeting urgent health needs; and, continuing our support for needed humanitarian assistance.

We are committed to democratic reform, respect for human rights and free markets in the Congo. President Kabila has committed his government to a transition to democracy culminating in national elections in early 1999. While we are encouraged by the establishment of a timeline for elections, we are concerned by present restrictions the government has placed on political activity. USAID is prepared to work to support constitutional development, elections, and other important political processes. We also recognize the importance of restoring integrity to the justice sector and are exploring ways to promote the rule of law. Our initial engagement with officials in the new government has been and will continue to be cautious.

State corruption, hyperinflation, and overall abysmal management of the economy during the last decade of the Mobutu regime prevented the emergence of a strong, formal private sector in the Congo. If the new government implements effective fiscal and monetary policies, then an early result should be the renewal of a strong, formal private sector, with both local and international private investment contributing to economic growth.

We are working with our colleagues in the Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce and other agencies to develop a strategy to promote the strengthening of the private sector in the Congo.

While the need for technical assistance in public administration is acute in the new government, particularly in the economic policy arena, before any assistance in this particular realm could take place, the government would need to meet the established benchmarks with regard to its performance on human rights and humanitarian access. Obviously, any non-humanitarian assistance would also entail securing proper waiver authorities.

Our strategy focuses primarily on key transition issues related to promoting stability and democratic transition. Our proposed intervention in the health sector can support these efforts. Health care services for the average Congolese are extremely limited and in some cases non-existent. Epidemic outbreaks have been common as a result, including hemmoraghic fever, polio and measles epidemics.

Both UNICEF and consultants from the Centers for Disease Control have indicated that boosting vaccination coverage across the country is an important first step in beginning to restore health services. USAID, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the Ministry of Health will be conducting a joint assessment team to examine how best to restore immunization services around the country. This effort will supplement a more comprehensive review and strategy for restoring health care services that is currently being conducted in the Congo by the World Health Organization.

USAID will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to ease suffering of those most affected by the conflict and dislocation. In this fiscal year, USAID has already provided more than $10 million in non-food humanitarian assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo through our Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance. In addition, USAID's Office of Food for Peace has provided more than $72 million in Food For Peace emergency assistance, and the State Department's Office of Population, Refugees and Migration has provided $43 million in 1997 assistance to the Great Lakes region.

USAID's Disaster Assistance Response Team ceased operations on June 30. However, USAID will continue to consider grants for targeted, urgent needs in war-affected areas and respond to any unforeseen emergencies as needed. Food for work and other targeted feeding programs will also be considered.

Our strategy for the Congo will use regional platforms to deliver significant parts of our assistance. Many of the key issues and opportunities in the Congo are regional, and these regions have the capacity to serve as a real catalyst for economic growth and social reconciliation. USAID is planning to focus on regional democratization and development challenges in a number of key regional centers.

Our goal is to establish offices in Lubumbashi, (Katanga province), in either Goma (North Kivu) or Bukavu (South Kivu) and in East or West Kasai this fiscal year. Grant disbursements will likely begin in September for these regional projects. Activities would finance micro-projects such as repairing schools and water systems, small infrastructure rehabilitation and technical assistance to regional authorities.

We are also working with other donors. We are consulting with international organizations, the international financial institutions, other bilateral donors, and international experts on policy and potential programs for the Congo. My recent visit to Japan for the annual Tidewater donor coordination conference allowed us to closely compare notes for our respective plans in the Congo.

On balance, I feel that the assistance programs that have been outlined today are a modest and sound effort designed to help the Democratic Republic of the Congo move toward greater stability, democracy and economic recovery. Given that it is already late in fiscal year 1997, many of the activities above will be coming fully on line during the next fiscal year. If the transition progresses smoothly, we would envision a more expansive strategy. Concurrently, if the government back pedals on its commitments or if there is a serious erosion in the human rights situation, we would certainly alter our plans to move forward with assistance.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo stands at an important crossroad. The Congo has a choice between becoming an economic and cultural powerhouse that can help drive the engine of development across central Africa, or the country can remain mired in the divisive and destructive politics of repression, self aggrandizement and personal enrichment. The United States is eager to see the Democratic Republic of the Congo move forward and build upon the tremendous potential of its citizens. The Administration is eager to work with the Congress closely in pursuing this goal, and I look forward to your comments.

Thank you.

This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.

:  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  What's New : FOIA Requests : Privacy Policy : Email This Page : Plug-ins : FAQs : Help Desk : Contact Us : Site Map Last Updated on: July 18, 2001