[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 414 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 414

    Relating to the reestablishment of representative government in 
                              Afghanistan.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 28, 2000

Mr. Campbell (for himself, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. 
Royce, and Mr. Bereuter) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
     which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Relating to the reestablishment of representative government in 
                              Afghanistan.

Whereas Afghanistan has existed as a sovereign nation since 1747, maintaining 
        its independence, neutrality, and dignity;
Whereas Afghanistan had maintained its own decisionmaking through a traditional 
        process called a ``Loya Jirgah'', or Grand Assembly, by selecting, 
        respecting, and following the decisions of their leaders;
Whereas recently warlords, factional leaders, and foreign regimes have laid 
        siege to Afghanistan, leaving the landscape littered with landmines, 
        making the most fundamental activities dangerous;
Whereas in recent years, and especially since the Taliban came to power in 1996, 
        Afghanistan has become a haven for terrorist activity, has produced most 
        of the world's opium supply, and has become infamous for its human 
        rights abuses, particularly abuses against women and children;
Whereas the former King of Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir Shah, ruled the country 
        peacefully for 40 years, and after years in exile retains his popularity 
        and support; and
Whereas former King Mohammed Zahir Shah plans to convene an emergency ``Loya 
        Jirgah'' to reestablish a stable government, with no desire to regain 
        power or reestablish a monarchy, and the Department of State supports 
        such ongoing efforts: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the United States--
            (1) supports the right of the people of Afghanistan to 
        determine their own destiny through the traditional Afghan 
        ``Loya Jirgah'' process; and
            (2) supports the continuing efforts of former King Mohammed 
        Zahir Shah and other responsible parties searching for peace to 
        convene a Loya Jirgah--
                    (A) to reestablish a representative government in 
                Afghanistan through institution building, increasing 
                the capacity of the people of Afghanistan to govern 
                themselves;
                    (B) to bring stability to Afghanistan; and
                    (C) to end terrorist activities and human rights 
                abuses in Afghanistan.
                                 <all>