[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 142 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 142

    Relating to the reestablishment of representative government in 
                              Afghanistan.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

            October 5 (legislative day, September 22), 2000

Mr. Brownback (for himself and Mr. Torricelli) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                               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 Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That the United States--
            (1) supports democratic efforts undertaken in Afghanistan 
        that respect the human and political rights of the people of 
        all ethnic and religious groups in that country, including the 
        efforts to reestablish a ``Loya Jirgah'' process that would 
        lead to the people of Afghanistan determining their own destiny 
        through a democratic process involving free and fair elections; 
        and
            (2) supports the continuing efforts of former King Mohammed 
        Zahir Shah and other responsible parties searching for peace to 
        convene an emergency ``Loya Jirgah''--
                    (A) to reestablish a representative government in 
                Afghanistan that respects the rights of the people of 
                all ethnic and religious groups, including the right of 
                the people to govern their own affairs through 
                inclusive institution building and a democratic 
                process;
                    (B) to bring freedom, peace, and stability to 
                Afghanistan; and
                    (C) to end terrorist activities, drug production, 
                and human rights abuses in Afghanistan.
                                 <all>