Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced the following upcoming Committee events:

Tuesday, June 18

Subcommittee Hearing: Elections in Iran: The Regime Cementing its Control

10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman

Invited witnesses include:

Mr. Alireza Nader
Senior International Policy Analyst
RAND Corporation

Suzanne Maloney, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow
The Saban Center for Middle East Policy
Brookings Institution

Mr. Karim Sadjadpour
Senior Associate
Middle East Program
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Chairman Ros-Lehtinen on the hearing: “This hearing is a timely one that will examine the implications of the Iranian manipulated presidential elections.Whether a victor has been declared, or the showdown has been set for a runoff next week, we will be able to analyze the immediate reactions and consequences of the results. But make no mistake, today’s election in Iran wasn’t a victory for democracy or the people of Iran. This was a sham election, rigged by the Supreme Leader and his regime in an effort to cement its control over the Iranian people. Its handpicked candidates virtually guaranteed the regime apliable and dependable lap dog that will do its bidding, and most importantly for the regime, not cause problems for it domestically. The changes, if there are any, would be cosmetic at best. It certainly won’t do anything to bring about democratic reforms, stop the human rights abuses, or change the political calculus of the regime regarding its nuclear program or support for Hezbollah and Assad in Syria.”

Wednesday, June 19

Subcommittee Hearing: Regional Security Cooperation: An Examination of the Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI)

2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere

Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Chairman

Invited witnesses include:

Panel I

The Honorable William R. Brownfield
Assistant Secretary
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Ms. Liliana Ayalde
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Mr. Mark Lopes
Deputy Assistant Administrator
Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean
U.S. Agency for International Development

Panel II

Mr. Eric L. Olson
Associate Director
Latin America Program<br”>Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Mr. Michael Shifter
President
Inter-American Dialogue

Chairman Salmon on the hearing:  “The security situation in Central America and the Caribbean has deteriorated in recent years as drug traffickers, transnational gangs and other criminal groups have expanded their presence and activities in the region.  This not only threatens the governments and civil societies in those countries, but poses a security threat to the United States as well.  The U.S. government has been dedicating resources through Merida-like programming to try and build local capacity in the region.  This hearing will be an important opportunity for the Subcommittee to evaluate the progress of these U.S. taxpayer-funded programs and to determine how we can build on successes and improve where necessary.  It is critical to the national interests of the United States that Central America and the Caribbean are stabilized and have the necessary security capacity to respond to the well-financed drug trafficking organizations, transnational gangs and other criminal groups that threaten to increase their reach throughout the region.”

Thursday, June 20

Subcommittee Hearing: Ethiopia After Meles: The Future of Democracy and Human Rights

10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 20 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman

Invited witnesses include:

Panel I

The Honorable Donald Y.Yamamoto
Acting Assistant Secretary of State
Bureau of African Affairs
U.S. Department of State

The Honorable Earl W. Gast
Assistant Administrator
Bureau for Africa
U.S. Agency for International Development

Panel II

Berhanu Nega, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics
Bucknell University

J. Peter Pham, Ph.D.
Director
Michael S. Ansari Africa Center
Atlantic Council

Mr. Obang Metho
Executive Director
Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia

Chairman Smith on the hearing: “Ethiopia is a vital American ally in Africa, but its human rights and democracy policies fall short of the basic rights that Ethiopians deserve. Our hearing will look at the policies of the current Ethiopian government in hopes that it will better accommodate political opposition and civil society, and respect the rights of all Ethiopians.  We also need to consider how the U.S. Government can support ways to improve the rights—and lives—of the Ethiopian people.” 

***See foreignaffairs.house.gov for updates.

***Coverage note:  All Foreign Affairs Committee proceedings are webcast live atforeignaffairs.house.gov/live-video-feed.

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