[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 751 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 751

 Commending the people and the Governments of the Hashemite Kingdom of 
   Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the State of 
Qatar, and the Sultanate Oman for their progress toward democratization 
               and political and economic liberalization.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 22, 2004

Ms. Ros-Lehtinen (for herself and Mr. Ackerman) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the people and the Governments of the Hashemite Kingdom of 
   Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the State of 
Qatar, and the Sultanate Oman for their progress toward democratization 
               and political and economic liberalization.

Whereas the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of 
        Kuwait, the State of Qatar, and the Sultanate Oman are taking 
        significant steps towards democratization by reforming their educational 
        systems to incorporate democratic values and principles in order to 
        solidify the roots of democracy in their societies;
Whereas progress toward democracy and pluralism is promoted and supported by 
        both the leaders and the populations of these countries;
Whereas these countries have also been expanding economic ties with the United 
        States through Trade and Investment Framework Agreements and Free Trade 
        Agreements that promote economic modernization and transparency;
Whereas in June 2003, after a two year suspension of Parliament, Jordan held 
        parliamentary elections;
Whereas the parliamentary elections were the first elections to be held during 
        the reign of His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, and they were 
        conducted in an orderly and transparent manner;
Whereas municipal elections for the Jordanian capital city of Amman were held in 
        July 2003, and other local councils' elections were held in September 
        2003;
Whereas Jordan has placed high importance in recent years on the rights of women 
        to vote and run for public office, ensuring that six seats in the 
        Jordanian House of Deputies are reserved for female candidates over and 
        above any seats freely won in the elections;
Whereas in a speech to the Jordanian parliament in December 2003, King Abdullah 
        called for ``radical changes'' designed to turn Jordan into a ``modern, 
        democratic country'', and announced five goals:

    (1) increasing integrity and transparency in governance;

    (2) increasing participation of young people and women in the political 
process;

    (3) promoting a culture of democracy;

    (4) establishing an independent judiciary and independent media; and

    (5) involving the private sector in business development and social 
reform;

Whereas the Government of Jordan recently created the Ministry of Political 
        Development and Parliamentary Affairs (MOPD), with the goal of promoting 
        democracy through building and strengthening the democratic institutions 
        of Jordan, including the parliament and the judicial system, as well as 
        the legislative and regulatory frameworks in which they operate;
Whereas the National Center for Human Rights was established in 2002 by King 
        Abdullah II, but it now operates as an independent entity promoting 
        human rights as an integral part of political reform efforts underway in 
        Jordan;
Whereas an independent Higher Media Council has been created, independent 
        administrative bodies, such as the Board of Directors of the Radio and 
        Television Corporation, have been formed, the Government has sold its 
        shares in the daily newspapers, and laws have been passed to allow 
        private television and radio stations to operate in Jordan;
Whereas Jordan and the United States signed a Free Trade Agreement that went 
        into effect in December 2001;
Whereas the Government of Bahrain is demonstrating its commitment to acquiring 
        the consent of the people it governs by nurturing a truly democratic 
        political culture;
Whereas, in February 2002, the people of Bahrain accepted, by referendum, a 
        ``National Action Charter'' that established procedures for the election 
        of a 40-member national assembly;
Whereas, in 2002, Bahrain extended full suffrage to women, and women then voted 
        and ran for office in the subsequent parliamentary and municipal 
        elections;
Whereas, in October 2002, Bahrain held parliamentary elections, the first since 
        1973, and municipal elections were conducted in May 2002, the first 
        since 1957;
Whereas the Government of Bahrain recently announced that it would accept the 
        legalization of political parties if parliament so decided, making 
        Bahrain the first Persian Gulf country to allow political parties;
Whereas King Hamad of Bahrain has released political prisoners and allowed 
        exiles to return, has abolished emergency laws and courts, and has eased 
        restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of association;
Whereas the Government of Bahrain has allowed the establishment of dozens of 
        advocacy associations, including an independent human rights 
        organization;
Whereas, in May 2004, Bahrain concluded negotiations with the United States for 
        the establishment of a Free Trade Agreement;
Whereas, in 1963, Kuwait became the first Persian Gulf country to hold 
        elections;
Whereas Kuwait revived its elected National Assembly in October 1992 after six 
        years of suspension, and the National Assembly has more influence in 
        decision-making and more power than any other respective representative 
        body in the Gulf Cooperation Council (composed of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, 
        Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), including the power 
        to review and veto governmental decrees, the ability, by a majority 
        vote, to veto the appointment by the Emir of Kuwait of a Crown prince, 
        and the power to impeach members of the cabinet;
Whereas, in July 2003, Kuwait held parliamentary elections and the next 
        elections are scheduled to be held in 2007;
Whereas, in May 2004, the Government of Kuwait embarked on a renewed effort to 
        extend voting rights to women, which had previously been blocked by the 
        Parliament;
Whereas Kuwait and the United States signed a Trade and Investment Framework 
        Agreement in February 2004;
Whereas, in late 1998, the Emir of Qatar announced that a constitution would be 
        drafted providing for an elected National Assembly to replace the 
        appointed 35-member Consultative Council in place since independence in 
        1971;
Whereas, in March 1999, Qatar held elections for a 29-member municipal affairs 
        council, becoming the first country in the Persian Gulf to extend full 
        suffrage to women;
Whereas, in 2002, country-wide municipal elections were held in Qatar and women 
        participated fully;
Whereas, in 2003, Qatar approved a new constitution by referendum which ensures 
        freedom of political expression, freedom of association, and freedom of 
        religion, and included the establishment of a 45-member parliament;
Whereas, on June 8, 2004, the Emir of Qatar announced that the new constitution 
        will come into effect on June 8, 2005, and country-wide parliamentary 
        elections will be held later that year;
Whereas Qatar and the United States signed a Trade and Investment Framework 
        Agreement in March 2004;
Whereas, in June 2004, Qatar hosted a gathering of more than 100 civil society 
        activists, professors, journalists, and political party members from 
        across the region that produced ``The Doha Declaration for Democracy and 
        Reform'', which demands that all Arab countries adopt modern, democratic 
        constitutions, hold free, fair and regular elections, place limits on 
        executive power, guarantee freedom of association and freedom of 
        expression, permit the full participation of women in political life, 
        and end extra-judicial procedures, emergency laws, and torture;
Whereas, in September 2000, Oman held the first direct elections to its 83-seat 
        Consultative Council;
Whereas, in November 2002, Sultan Qaboos of Oman announced the extension of 
        voting rights to all citizens over 21 years of age, beginning with the 
        October 2003 parliamentary elections;
Whereas women voted in the 2003 parliamentary elections and two female 
        representatives were elected to the majlis al shura;
Whereas, in September 1999, Sultan Qaboos appointed a female ambassador for the 
        first time, and in March 2003, he named a woman to the rank of minister;
Whereas Oman has begun discussions toward a Trade and Investment Framework 
        Agreement with the United States;
Whereas other countries in the region should take steps to follow the example of 
        Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar;
Whereas the Department of State report entitled ``Supporting Human Rights and 
        Democracy: The United States Record 2003-2004'' states: ``Despite . . . 
        promising steps toward greater political participation and respect for 
        fundamental freedoms in some Middle Eastern countries, the overall 
        trends in the region are cause for concern.'';
Whereas the Department of State report further states: ``The United States 
        continues in its private and public diplomacy efforts to support 
        political reform, economic growth and respect for human rights and 
        fundamental freedoms in the Middle East. To reinforce our diplomatic 
        efforts, the United States has also begun to sponsor programs that 
        strengthen the role of independent journalists and trade unions, 
        increase respect and safeguards for the rule of law, strengthen public 
        participation in the political process, improve the status of women and 
        promote a regional dialogue on democracy for members of NGOs and 
        governments.'';
Whereas the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) was created in 2002 to 
        encourage reforms in Arab countries by strengthening Arab civil society, 
        encouraging micro-enterprise, expanding political participation, and 
        promoting the rights of women;
Whereas, in 2003, President George W. Bush proposed the creation of a United 
        States-Middle East Free Trade Area within a decade, by working with 
        countries in the Middle East in graduated steps to increase trade and 
        investment with the United States and the world economy and to assist 
        those countries in implementing domestic reforms, instituting the rule 
        of law, protecting private property rights, and creating a foundation 
        for economic growth and prosperity;
Whereas, in June 2004, at the G-8 Summit meeting in Sea Island, Georgia, Western 
        and Arab officials participated in the unveiling of the ``Broader Middle 
        East Initiative'', a multilateral development and reform plan aimed at 
        fostering economic and political liberalization in a wide geographic 
        area of Arab and non-Arab Muslim countries;
Whereas United States policy, as articulated by President Bush, is to pursue a 
        ``forward strategy of freedom'' to promote democracy throughout the 
        Middle East; and
Whereas inter-parliamentary unions can help solidify friendships between the 
        United States and Arab nations engaged in genuine political and economic 
        reforms and provide a mechanism for communication and cooperation on 
        issues of mutual interest and concern; Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the people and the Governments of the 
        Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State 
        of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, and the Sultanate of Oman for 
        their progress toward political and economic liberalization;
            (2) expresses its hope that progress toward democratization 
        in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman will continue to 
        thrive and that the efforts of these countries will serve as a 
        model for other Arab countries;
            (3) reaffirms the friendship that exists between the people 
        of the United States and the people of Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, 
        Qatar, and Oman;
            (4) offers to assist these countries in their future 
        challenges of reform so that democracy and freedom are able to 
        prosper and flourish; and
            (5) supports enhancing bilateral congressional-
        parliamentary exchanges with Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, 
        and Oman.
                                 <all>