Speech by Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (R-New York), July 24, 2001

Speech by Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (R-New York),
July 24, 2001
Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I want to commend the gentlewoman from California (Ms. LEE) for her effective work to fight for and provide funding for HIV/AIDS. I know the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. LEACH) has been an outstanding advocate of the same program.

Mr. Chairman, I have consistently tried to support that. But I reluctantly oppose this amendment, as it will cut into our important Andean antidrug initiatives and reduce some very important military assistance initiatives, as the chairman pointed out.

With regard to Peru, I just would like my colleagues, as they discuss assistance for Peru, to bear in mind the case of Lori Berenson, the case of the American citizen who has been wrongly imprisoned for far too long in Peru.

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Mr. Chairman, while I commend our colleague, the gentlewoman from California, Ms. BARBARA LEE, on her effective work to fight and provide funding for HIV/AIDS, which I have continually supported, I reluctantly oppose this amendment as it will cut into our important Andean anti-drug initiatives and reduce some important military assistance initiatives.

And with regard to Peru, I urge my colleagues to bear in mind the case of Lori Berenson, the American citizen who has been wrongly imprisoned in Peru on charges of terrorism. This case needs to be closely examined before we consider granting the Peruvian government U.S. aid. Peru needs to understand that the present status of Lori Berenson is unacceptable.

While Peru has made great strides in improving its economy and fighting drugs, the Fujimori regime created a judicial system that is seriously lacking in independence. Lori Berenson was initially condemned under a flawed military court system that imprisoned hundreds of innocent Peruvians. Peru has now conceded that Lori was innocent of leading or participating in any terrorist organization. Her second trial should not have been held without a major revision and reform of Peru's anti-terrorism legislation. Her case will remain a thorny issue between the United States and Peru until Lori is released from prison.

Lori has been in prison for 5 1/2 years, it is time for her to be able to return home.

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