110 HCON 274 IH: Expressing the need for a more U.S. House of Representatives 2007-12-19 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. CON. RES. 274 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 19, 2007 Mr. Gilchrest (for himself, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Jones of North Carolina, Mr. Meeks of New York, Mr. Johnson of Illinois, Mr. Murtha, and Mr. Reyes) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing the need for a more comprehensive diplomatic initiative led by the United States, Republic of Iraq, and international community.

Whereas it is in the foreign policy and National security interests of the United States to foster and strengthen peace and security in Iraq and the broader Middle East region, which will require a more comprehensive international support structure including Iraq’s neighboring states, other pertinent and influential countries in and outside the region, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations; Whereas the removal of Saddam Hussein has resulted in a fundamental change in the composition and structure of Iraq’s government, provincial, and tribal leadership; Whereas the removal of Saddam Hussein has resulted in violent multi-layered conflicts of varying insurgencies, counter-insurgencies, and other armed competitions that exist today along religious, cultural, and economic lines; Whereas the removal of Saddam Hussein has fundamentally altered the relationship between Iraq and its neighboring states thereby affecting the balance of power in the region; Whereas elements and actions from outside Iraq’s borders, including neighboring states, terrorist groups, and rogue elements continue to impede progress towards a more stable and sovereign Iraq; Whereas Iraqis, with the unrelenting military support from the United States, have found it difficult to achieve political reconciliation and independently govern; Whereas the Iraq Study Group stated, a regional peace conference among Arab nations is a critically important step in helping to end the civil war in Iraq, and bringing peace and stability in the Middle East; Whereas General Petraeus recently stated in congressional testimony any student of history recognizes there is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency in Iraq; Whereas finding a responsible and strategic way forward in Iraq will require international support; and Whereas a more comprehensive international support structure must be established to engage Iraq’s political, religious, ethnic, and tribal leaders in an ongoing inclusive political reconciliation and reconstruction process: Now, therefore, be it

That the United States House of Representatives— (1)declares that the current drawdown and eventual departure of the United States Armed Forces in Iraq be performed in a strategic and responsible manner, and must be supported by a comprehensive international and regional diplomatic initiative; (2)encourages the President and the administration in consultation with the Republic of Iraq to initiate, develop, and implement a sustained comprehensive regional and multilateral diplomatic plan of action, in conjunction with the United Nations Security Council, United Nations Secretary General, Iraq’s neighboring countries, regional organizations as the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and appropriate non-governmental organizations relating to issues and actions that impact the situation in Iraq as to— (A)curtailing the ongoing civil strife in Iraq that has created various insurgency groups; (B)preventing the spread of violence from the Iraq into neighboring countries; (C)preventing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and other crimes against humanity; (D)preventing the establishment of safe havens for Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations; (E)promoting a National process of reconciliation within Iraq; and (F)supporting the formation of an international consortium for relief and reconstruction in Iraq; (3)urges the President and the administration in coordination with the Republic of Iraq, United Nations, and regional organizations to expeditiously engage in perpetual bilateral and multilateral talks and conferences with Iraq’s neighboring countries, and specifically— (A)recommends the implementation of the International Compact for Iraq and Recommendations 9 and 13 of the Iraq Study Group Report including— (i)implementing Recommendation 9, which states, Under the aegis of the New Diplomatic Offensive and the [Iraq International] Support Group, the United States should engage directly with Iran and Syria in order to try to obtain their commitment to constructive policies toward Iraq and other regional issues. In engaging with Syria and Iran, the United States should consider incentives, as well as disincentives, in seeking constructive results; and (ii)implementing Recommendation 13, which states, There must be a renewed and sustained commitment by the United States to a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace on all fronts; (4)remains resolved that the interests of the people of Iraq, United States allies, and greater Middle East region should be paramount in establishing regional and international assistance and aid to ensure the establishment of a cohesive government in Iraq; (5)encourages the international community and regional organizations to assist the Republic of Iraq in recruiting an armed multinational stabilization force and to the extent feasible police and human rights monitors from countries acceptable to the Republic of Iraq as to foster political reconciliation in Iraq; (6)recognizes that as part of a diplomatic initiative in Iraq, the President shall submit to the Congress, in classified and unclassified form, a comprehensive regional stability plan for Iraq, which shall include diplomatic, political, and economic strategic measures; (7)urges sustained commitment of the Republic of Iraq, United States, nations in the Middle East and international community in consultation with the United Nations and pertinent regional and non-governmental organizations to develop and raise funding for the reconstruction of Iraq and relief to the Iraqi people, including for purposes of— (A)assisting efforts to deal with the humanitarian impact of the war in Iraq, particularly civilian displacement and Iraqi refugees; (B)developing an Iraq Corps of Engineers; (C)encouraging the use of Iraqi engineers, contractors, tradesmen, and construction workers in the reconstruction process; (D)surveying and performing proper restoration of Iraq’s world cultural sites; (E)ensuring the equitable distribution of oil revenues to the people of Iraq; and (F)encouraging initiatives to assist in rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure, including public health, transportation, physical plants, educational, and utilities systems; (8)expresses its sincere condolences to the number of Iraqis who have been killed, displaced, or wounded; and (9)recognizes that the government of the United States owes a debt of gratitude to the 500,000 young men and women who have served in Iraq and who now deserve comprehensive rehabilitation, physical, mental, educational, and economic assistance.