Political Quotes

“today I am joining Senators Coverdell, DeWine and Helms in introducing a Joint Resolution regarding the presidential and congressional elections in Peru, which are scheduled for April 9. I want to thank the other sponsors for their leadership and concern for these issues. These elections have generated a great deal of attention and anticipation, and they have also focused a spotlight on President Fujimori, who is running for an unprecedented third term. He is doing so after firing three of the country's Supreme Court judges, who had determined that a third term was barred by Peru's Constitution. President Fujimori has often been praised for what he has accomplished since he first took office in 1990. He success in defeating the brutal Sendero Luminoso insurgency, combating cocaine trafficking, and curbing soaring inflation has brought stability and greater economic opportunities. These are important achievements. Unfortunately, they have often been accomplished through the strong arm tactics of a president who has shown a disturbing willingness to run roughshod over democratic principles and institutions. In the run up to the April 9th election, President Fujimori's and his supporter's disrespect for democratic procedures and the conditions necessary for free and fair elections has rarely been so blatant.”