[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 437 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 437
Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the positive effect of the
upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections on Iraq's political
reconciliation and democratic institutions.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 4, 2010
Mr. Kerry (for himself, Mr. McCain, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Lugar, Mr.
Casey, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Kaufman) submitted the following resolution;
which was considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the positive effect of the
upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections on Iraq's political
reconciliation and democratic institutions.
Whereas on February 27th, 2009, President Obama declared that the United States'
``clear and achievable goal'' is ``an Iraq that is sovereign, stable,
and self-reliant'' and that the United States will achieve that goal by
working ``to promote an Iraqi government that is just, representative,
and accountable'';
Whereas in December 2009, Iraq's elected officials ended months of deadlock,
passed a new election law, and scheduled parliamentary elections for
March 7, 2010;
Whereas nearly 100,000 American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines continue
to serve in Iraq, marking the United States' largest current overseas
deployment;
Whereas Iraq's future sovereignty, stability, and democracy is threatened by
serious internal and external challenges, including--
(1) continuing attempts by Al Qaeda in Iraq to perpetrate mass casualty
terrorist attacks intended to paralyze the Iraqi state and reignite
sectarian violence;
(2) some surrounding countries' malign and destabilizing interference
in Iraq's internal affairs and their incomplete diplomatic recognition of
Iraq;
(3) unresolved disputes over internal boundaries, including the City of
Kirkuk;
(4) incomplete reintegration of Sunni Arab communities in Iraq; and
(5) ongoing incidents of civil and human rights abuses in a diverse,
multiconfessional society;
Whereas, while the United States appreciates the profound conviction of the
Iraqi people to ensure that the Ba'ath party never returns to power in
Iraq, the process by which scores of candidates have been disqualified
from participating in the March 7, 2010 elections--
(1) has not met international standards of electoral transparency and
fairness;
(2) was interpreted by many Iraqis as politically motivated; and
(3) risks diminishing participation in elections;
Whereas the United States has a clear, strong, and enduring national interest in
helping the people of Iraq to establish a stable, representative, and
democratic state;
Whereas the United States committed, in the Agreement Between the United States
of America and the Republic of Iraq On the Withdrawal of United States
Forces from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their
Temporary Presence in Iraq (referred to in this resolution as the
``Status of Forces Agreement'') signed in November 2008, to redeploy--
(1) all combat forces from Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009; and
(2) all United States forces from Iraq by December 31, 2011;
Whereas United States combat forces successfully redeployed from Iraq's cities
by June 30, 2009, in accordance with the Status of Forces Agreement, and
are likely to carry out further reductions in the number of United
States military forces in Iraq during the months after the March 7, 2010
elections;
Whereas the United States and Iraq agreed in the Strategic Framework Agreement,
also signed in November 2008, to ``continue to foster close cooperation
concerning defense and security arrangements'';
Whereas the March 7, 2010 elections and the subsequent government formation
process will mark a period of exceptional importance for the future of
Iraq;
Whereas Iraq conducted provincial elections in January 2009 that were free from
widespread violence and the results of which were recognized as
legitimate by the internationally community and the Iraqi people;
Whereas several of Iraq's main electoral blocs have committed to a Code of
Conduct meant to ensure fair, transparent, and inclusive elections:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) reaffirms the United States' strong commitment to
building a robust, long-term partnership with Iraq that
strengthens Iraq's security, stability, economy, and democracy;
(2) recognizes the United States' clear and enduring
interest in partnering with the people of Iraq in building a
stable, representative, successful, democratic state;
(3) urges the Administration--
(A) to devote continued, high-level attention and
resources to support the people and Government of Iraq
toward these goals, in particular during the critical
months after the March 7, 2010 elections;
(B) to work with the international community to
provide all necessary support for Iraqi elections,
including technical support for Iraq's Independent High
Electoral Commission and assistance for domestic and
international monitoring;
(4) calls upon all parties within Iraq--
(A) to ensure that the March 7, 2010 parliamentary
elections are free, fair, inclusive, and without
violence or intimidation; and
(B) to refrain from rhetoric or actions that might
undercut the legitimacy of such elections or inflame
communal tensions;
(5) urges the countries surrounding Iraq--
(A) to refrain from exercising malign and
destabilizing interference in Iraq's internal affairs;
and
(B) to allow the people of Iraq to determine their
own future;
(6) calls for the timely formation of an inclusive,
effective, and representative new Iraqi government after the
March 7, 2010 parliamentary elections;
(7) reaffirms that, while United States military forces
redeploy from Iraq in the months after the March 7, 2010
elections, the United States must remain engaged in partnering
with the people of Iraq to help them in building a stable,
representative, and successful democratic state;
(8) expresses gratitude to the men and women of the United
States Armed Forces, the Foreign Service, and other Federal
Government agencies, for their service, sacrifices, and heroism
in Iraq; and
(9) commends the people of Iraq for--
(A) the courage they have shown;
(B) the sacrifices they have endured; and
(C) the hard-won gains they have made in fighting
terrorism, finding peace, and building democracy.
<all>