[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 47 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 47

  Urging a peaceful resolution of the conflict over Kashmir, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 25, 2005

Mr. Pitts submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                  Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Urging a peaceful resolution of the conflict over Kashmir, and for 
                            other purposes.

Whereas the conflict over Kashmir began in 1947 after colonial partition of the 
        region;
Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 of April 21, 1948, called 
        for the holding of a plebiscite for the people of Kashmir;
Whereas numerous human rights reports detail the extensive suffering of the 
        Kashmiri people at the hands of security forces, militias, paramilitary 
        forces, and militants;
Whereas the peoples of Kashmir, India, and Pakistan have suffered tremendous 
        loss of life over the last 14 years from the violence in the conflict 
        over Kashmir, including the deaths of approximately 60,000 people;
Whereas reports suggest that Kashmiri territory has been used by militants who 
        seek to destabilize the region, including India and Pakistan;
Whereas the unresolved conflict over Kashmir brings instability to South Asia, 
        particularly as Pakistan and India continue to build their weapons 
        capabilities;
Whereas the governments of India and Pakistan agreed upon a cease-fire in 
        November of 2003, and then took commendable steps to build bridges 
        between the two nations by reopening air and bus routes and through 
        other confidence-building measures;
Whereas in February of 2004, the governments of India and Pakistan agreed upon a 
        basic road map for peace negotiations to facilitate their conflict over 
        Kashmir and the peace process; and
Whereas the designation of a Special Envoy by the United States to help resolve 
        the issues relating to Kashmir would signify the importance of the 
        region and issues to United States and international security and 
        stability: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) urges all parties involved to find a peaceful 
        resolution of the conflict over Kashmir;
            (2) commends the governments of India and Pakistan for the 
        November 2003 cease-fire agreement, ongoing dialogue, the 
        agreement on the basic road map for peace negotiations, and 
        confidence building measures to promote peace;
            (3) commends nongovernmental and humanitarian organizations 
        for their work on communal peace and reconciliation and on 
        building civil society in Kashmir;
            (4) urges the governments of India and Pakistan to include 
        Kashmiri leaders in the dialogue and constructive engagement 
        regarding Kashmir; and
            (5) urges the President to appoint immediately a Special 
        Envoy to work with the governments and peoples of India, 
        Pakistan, and Kashmir in order to support further dialogue, 
        negotiations, and a resolution of the conflict over Kashmir.
                                 <all>