[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 302 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







 108th CONGRESS
   2d Session
 S. RES. 302

 Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should not 
 support the February 20, 2004, elections in Iran and that the United 
 States should seek a genuine democratic government in Iran that will 
   restore freedom to the Iranian people and will abandon terrorism.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            February 12, 2004

  Mr. Brownback (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. DeWine, Mr. McCain, Mr. 
 Wyden, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Coleman, Ms. Landrieu, and 
 Mr. Chambliss) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                 to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should not 
 support the February 20, 2004, elections in Iran and that the United 
 States should seek a genuine democratic government in Iran that will 
   restore freedom to the Iranian people and will abandon terrorism.

Whereas there is a long history of mutual affection, appreciation, and respect 
        between the people of the United States and the people of Iran, 
        including the incalculable efforts by the United States in providing 
        humanitarian, financial, and technological assistance to help the people 
        of Iran;
Whereas the people of Iran have shown support for decency and freedom, and 
        solidarity with the United States, including the demonstration of such 
        support through candlelight vigils attended by the youth of Iran in the 
        wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks upon the United States;
Whereas the Council of Guardians is a 12-member unelected body, composed of the 
        most extreme anti-American, anti-democratic clerics, that has 
        arbitrarily disqualified thousands of candidates, including sitting 
        Members of the Parliament of Iran and members of the reformist movement;
Whereas the elections scheduled to be held on February 20, 2004, in Iran are 
        fatally flawed;
 Whereas the Council of Guardians has barred candidates solely for failing to 
        demonstrate blind loyalty to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomenei;
Whereas the brave efforts of the people of Iran to promote greater democracy and 
        respect for human rights are being thwarted by the actions of the 
        Council of Guardians;
Whereas the blatant interference of the Council of Guardians in the electoral 
        process ensures that the elections scheduled for February 20, 2004, will 
        be neither free nor fair; and
Whereas the circumstances in Iran clearly demonstrate that authentic pro-
        democratic reform within the regime of Iran is not possible: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) the United States should not legitimize or support the 
        elections in Iran scheduled to take place on February 20, 2004, 
        as such elections stifle the growth of the genuine democratic 
        forces in Iran and do not serve the national security interest 
        of the United States;
            (2) the support provided by the United States to Iran 
        should be provided to the people of Iran, and not to any 
        political figure who supports the preservation of the current 
        regime; and
            (3) the policy of the United States should be to seek a 
        genuine democratic government in Iran that will restore freedom 
        to the people of Iran, will abandon terrorism, will protect 
        human rights, and will live in peace and security with the 
        international community.
                                 <all>