Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 1.djvu/100

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102 STAT. 62

PUBLIC LAW 100-276—APR. 1, 1988 Public Law 100-276 100th Congress Joint Resolution

Apr. 1, 1988 [H.J. Res. 523] Nicaragua. Defense and national security.

To provide assistance and support for peace, democracy, and reconciliation in Central America.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. SECTION 1. GENERAL POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States to advance peace and democracy in Central America, and to preserve and protect security interests in the region. Pursuant to that policy, it is the purpose of this joint resolution to assist in bringing peace and democracy to Central America, in a manner compatible with the Guatemala Peace Accord of August 7, 1987, the Declaration of the Presidents of the Central American Nations at San Jose, Costa Rica on January 16, 1988, the Agreement Between the Government of Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan Resistance signed March 23, 1988 at Sapoa, Nicaragua (hereinafter referred to as the "Sapoa Agreement") and consistent with the national security interests of the United States. SEC. 2. CONSISTENCY WITH SAPOA AGREEMENT.—The assistance and support for which this joint resolution provides shall be administered consistent with the Sapoa Agreement. No authority contained in this joint resolution is intended to be exercised in any manner that might be determined by the Verification Commission established by the Sapoa Agreement to be inconsistent with that Agreement or any subsequent agreement between the Government of Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan democratic resistance. SEC. 3, PURPOSE OF ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE NICARAGUAN DEMOCRATIC RESISTANCE.—(a) CONGRESSIONAL INTENT.—It is the

intention of Congress in providing additional assistance to the Nicaraguan democratic resistance to reinforce the Central American peace process by supporting negotiations leading to a permanent negotiated ceasefire agreement. Such an agreement is seen by the Congress as an essential step towards the establishment of peace and democracy in Nicaragua. The Congress provides assistance under this section with the understanding and strong expectation that the Government of Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan democratic resistance will cease permanently offensive military activities against each other and engage in good faith negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire. President of U.S. (b) TRANSFER AND USE.—(1) The President is authorized to transfer to the Agency for International Development $17,700,000 of unobligated funds from the appropriations accounts specified in section 6 to provide assistance for the Nicaraguan democratic resistance in accordance with this joint resolution. Funds so transferred shall remain available through September 30, 1988. (2) The amount which is authorized to be transferred under paragraph (1) shall be reduced by the cost to the United States Government of any items or services described in subsection (c)(1) which were previously, specifically authorized by law for the Nica-