IIA 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. J. RES. 36 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 8, 2006 Mr. Kerry introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations JOINT RESOLUTION Providing a strategy for stabilizing Iraq and withdrawing United States troops.

Whereas the men and women of the Armed Forces have performed with valor, honor, and courage in Iraq; Whereas a national unity government and a comprehensive political agreement among Shias, Sunnis, and Kurds are essential to end sectarian violence, undermine the insurgency, and bring stability to Iraq; Whereas, on April 22, 2006, the Iraqi National Assembly approved senior leaders of a national unity government, including Jawad al-Mailiki as Prime Minister; Whereas, under the Iraqi constitution, the Prime Minister has 30 days to form a government; Whereas a comprehensive political agreement must resolve fundamental issues dividing Iraqis and undermining stability, including federalism, oil revenues, the militias, security guarantees, reconstruction, and border security; Whereas reaching a comprehensive agreement that will help bring stability to Iraq is in the best interests of Iraq’s neighbors, the region, and the international community; Whereas Iraq’s neighbors, representatives of the Arab League, and the international community as represented by NATO, the European Union, and the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council can assist in the process of bringing about such a comprehensive agreement; Whereas the commander of the Multinational Forces-Iraq, General George Casey, testified before the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate on September 29, 2005, that [i]ncreased coalition presence feeds the notion of occupation … contributes to the dependency of Iraqi security forces on the coalition … [and] … extends the amount of time that it will take for Iraqi security forces to become self-reliant; Whereas the overwhelming majority of Iraqis wants the United States forces to withdraw from Iraq; Whereas the Armed Forces have established a training program for the security forces of Iraq that continues to make possible the assumption of security responsibilities by such security forces; and Whereas the withdrawal of United States forces under a schedule agreed upon with the new Government of Iraq would strengthen and legitimize that government, enable the Iraqis to become more self-reliant, and undermine support for the insurgency: Now, therefore, be it

That— (1)United States forces shall be withdrawn from Iraq at the earliest practicable date if Iraqis fail to form a national unity government by May 22, 2006; (2)if Iraqis form a national unity government by May 22, 2006— (A)the United States shall reach an agreement as soon as possible with such government on a schedule for the withdrawal of United States combat troops from Iraq by December 31, 2006, leaving only forces that are critical to completing the mission of standing up Iraqi security forces; and (B)the President shall consult with Congress on this schedule and shall present such withdrawal agreement to Congress immediately upon completion of the agreement; (3)the President, not later than 30 days after the date of the formation of a new national unity government in Iraq, should convene a summit that includes the leaders of that government, leaders of the governments of each country bordering Iraq, representatives of the Arab League, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, representatives of the European Union, and leaders of the governments of each permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, for the purpose of reaching a comprehensive political agreement for Iraq that addresses fundamental issues including federalism, oil revenues, the militias, security guarantees, reconstruction, economic assistance, and border security; and (4)the United States should maintain an over-the-horizon military presence to prosecute the war on terror and protect regional security interests.