MOZAMBIQUE SUPPORT

 WHEREAS, Mozambique is the poorest and most indebted country in the wood; and

WHEREAS, for more than a decade, Mozambique has known no peace as a result of war imposed by the South African-supported Renamo terrorist organization; and

WHEREAS, negligible international awareness has accompanied the unthinkable levels of violence, suffering and death experienced by the people of Mozambique; and

WHEREAS, more than 1 million people have died and 250,000 children have been orphaned; and

WHEREAS, the “lost children of Mozambique” are in most urgent need of food, housing, health services, social services, counseling and therapy to overcome the trauma of warfare; and

WHEREAS, teachers in Mozambique are a target of the destabilization campaign and more than 2,000 schools have been closed; and

WHEREAS, the 1990 Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique embodies the principles of democratic pluralism and fundamental freedoms including the freedom of speech and association:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers support the ending of violence in Mozambique and the holding of fair and democratic elections in that country attended by international observers; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT urge Congress through elected representatives to continue and to expand the United States' program of humanitarian aid to the people of Mozambique; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT express solidarity with teacher unionists in Mozambique; and

RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to President Bush and legislative leaders of the United States Congress.