[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 245 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                      November 9, 1997.
Whereas United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan appointed former United 
        States Secretary of State James Baker III as his Personal Envoy for 
        Western Sahara to end the prevailing referendum stalemate;
Whereas talks between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Front for the Liberation of 
        Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro (also known as the Polisario Front) 
        mediated by Mr. Baker have achieved agreement on ways to end the 
        referendum stalemate;
Whereas the end of the stalemate over the Western Sahara referendum would allow 
        for the release of civilian political prisoners and prisoners of war 
        held by Morocco and the Polisario Front; and
Whereas the United States supports the holding of a free, fair, and transparent 
        referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its full support to former United States Secretary of 
        State James Baker III in his mission as Personal Envoy of the United 
        Nations Secretary General for the Western Sahara;
            (2) expresses its support for a referendum on self-determination for 
        the people of Western Sahara that should meet the following criteria:
                    (A) free, fair, and transparent and held in the presence of 
                international and domestic observers and international media 
                without administrative or military pressure or interference;
                    (B) only genuine Sahrawis, as identified in the method 
                agreed to by both sides, will take part in the referendum 
                voting; and
                    (C) the result, once certified by the United Nations, is 
                accepted by both sides;
            (3) encourages the release of civilian political prisoners and 
        prisoners of war held by Morocco and the Polisario Front at the earliest 
        possible date; and
            (4) requests the administration to fully support former United 
        States Secretary of State James Baker III in his mission of organizing a 
        free, fair, and transparent referendum on self-determination for the 
        people of Western Sahara without military or administrative constraints.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.