[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 273 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                          May 23, 2005.
Whereas the people of the Lebanese Republic have a rich, proud, and honorable 
        history dating from ancient times to the present;
Whereas Lebanon and the United States have enjoyed a history of friendship and 
        cooperation which has been marked by the immigration of many Lebanese to 
        the United States where they and their descendants have contributed 
        greatly to the fabric of American life;
Whereas Syria has dominated the Lebanese political scene, resulting in a 
        deterioration of Lebanon's human rights situation, the manipulation of 
        Lebanese election results to meet Syria's requirements, and the 
        imposition of curbs on Lebanon's media, once the freest in the Arab 
        world;
Whereas Syria has publicly withdrawn its military forces from Lebanon, leaving 
        behind, however, an intelligence structure;
Whereas Congress conditioned the lifting of sanctions on Damascus in the Syria 
        Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 (Public 
        Law 108-175) upon the Government of Syria ending its occupation of 
        Lebanon (including the complete withdrawal of intelligence and all other 
        security-related personnel in Lebanon) and upon other factors;
Whereas the international community has, through the passage of United Nations 
        Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004), reaffirmed its call for the 
        strict respect of Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, 
        and political independence under the sole and exclusive authority of the 
        Government of Lebanon;
Whereas there remains unresolved and as a matter of national and world concern 
        the assassination of Rafiq al-Hariri, former Lebanese prime minister, 
        which has justly been condemned as a terrorist act;
Whereas the international community has begun investigations into the 
        assassination of Rafiq al-Hariri and it is the policy of the United 
        States to urge full cooperation with the investigations;
Whereas the international community is considering further action to promote 
        Lebanese sovereignty;
Whereas the emancipation of political prisoners and detainees held in Syrian and 
        Lebanese prisons is a precondition for national reconciliation and a 
        rebuilding of Lebanon's democratic institutions; and
Whereas general elections in Lebanon are scheduled to begin on May 29, 2005: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
            (1) Syria should complete its withdrawal of all remaining 
        intelligence and security forces from the Lebanese Republic in 
        accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004);
            (2) Lebanon should allow unfettered access to international monitors 
        present for the purpose of verifying compliance with United Nations 
        Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004);
            (3) Lebanon should hold free, fair, and transparent elections to 
        begin on May 29, 2005, in accordance with all international standards 
        and agreements;
            (4) the United States should aid the people of Lebanon in their 
        efforts to restore the separation of powers, the rule of law, and a 
        proper respect for fundamental freedoms of every citizen; and
            (5) it should be the policy of the United States Government to--
                    (A) support free and fair elections in Lebanon by 
                encouraging international election assistance and observers;
                    (B) support a national dialogue that transcends sectarian 
                divisions and urge the development of democratic institutions 
                and safeguards to foster sovereign democratic rule in Lebanon; 
                and
                    (C) call for the immediate release of all political 
                prisoners and detainees held in Lebanese and Syrian prisons.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.