[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 150 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 150

    Relating to the reestablishment of representative government in 
                              Afghanistan.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

            October 12 (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 the democratic efforts that respect the human 
        and political rights of all ethnic and religious groups in 
        Afghanistan, including the effort to establish a ``Loya 
        Jirgah'' process that would lead to the people of Afghanistan 
        determining their own destiny through a democratic process and 
        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 a Loya Jirgah--
                    (A) to reestablish a representative government in 
                Afghanistan that respects the rights of all ethnic 
                groups, including the right 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, illicit drug 
                production, and human rights abuses in Afghanistan.
                                 <all>