Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives congratulating the people of Colombia for completing free and democratic elections on June 21, 1998, congratulating the President-elect on his victory, and calling on the new government and all other parties to the current conflict in Colombia to renew their efforts to end the guerrilla and paramilitary violence which continues to pose a serious threat to democracy as well as economic and social stability in Colombia.

Congratulates: (1) the people of Colombia for their recent demonstration of support for the democratic process (as evidenced by the June 21, 1998, election); and (2) President-elect Andres Pastrana for his election victory and for his commitment to seek an end to the guerrilla and paramilitary violence in Colombia.

Urges: (1) the guerrilla leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) to end the violence, sever their relationship with narcotics traffickers, and negotiate a peace accord with the new Government of Colombia; (2) the incoming Pastrana government to take greater action against paramilitary units that commit gross human rights violations; (3) the leadership of FARC and ELN to release all hostages currently being held or to account for their whereabouts; (4) the international community to play a more proactive role in trying to resolve the internal conflict; and (5) the Administration to reevaluate U.S. policies toward Colombia and review the need for U.S. assistance.