[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1695 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1695

Encouraging elected officials and political leaders in the Republic of 
   Iraq to redouble their efforts to form a government that is just, 
         representative, and accountable to the people of Iraq.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 29, 2010

 Mr. Hastings of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Encouraging elected officials and political leaders in the Republic of 
   Iraq to redouble their efforts to form a government that is just, 
         representative, and accountable to the people of Iraq.

Whereas the people of the United States stand in solidarity with the people of 
        the Republic of Iraq as Iraqis seek peace and stability, democracy, and 
        economic prosperity for themselves and for their children;
Whereas, on January 30, 2005, the people of Iraq elected the 275-member National 
        Assembly which created the Transitional Government of Iraq and directed 
        the drafting of a new Constitution of Iraq;
Whereas, on January 30, 2005, the people of Iraq also elected provincial 
        councils in 18 governorates throughout Iraq and on October 15, 2005, 
        again went to the polls and ratified the proposed Constitution of Iraq;
Whereas pursuant to the new Constitution of Iraq, a general election was held on 
        December 15, 2005, to elect a permanent 275-member Council of 
        Representatives;
Whereas governorate and provincial elections were held in Iraq on January 31, 
        2009, to replace the local councils in 14 of the 18 governorates of Iraq 
        that were elected in the governorate elections of 2005;
Whereas, on November 26, 2007, United States President George W. Bush and Iraqi 
        Prime Minister Nouri Kamel Al-Maliki signed a Declaration of Principles 
        for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the 
        Republic of Iraq and the United States of America;
Whereas, on November 17, 2008, United States Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, 
        and Iraq Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari signed both the Strategic 
        Framework Agreement for a Relationship of Friendship and Cooperation 
        between the United States and the Republic of Iraq, and the Agreement 
        Between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq On the 
        Withdrawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Organization of 
        Their Activities During Their Temporary Presence in Iraq;
Whereas pursuant to those agreements, on June 30, 2009, the United States Armed 
        Forces withdrew from all cities, villages, and localities in Iraq, and 
        Iraqi forces moved into a leadership role with skill and commitment to 
        the citizens of Iraq;
Whereas, on August 31, 2010, the United States ended its combat mission in Iraq 
        and began a new phase in its relationship with the Government and people 
        of Iraq in support of their efforts to continue to consolidate 
        democracy, promote economic prosperity, and secure peace and stability 
        in Iraq, the region, and the world;
Whereas Iraq's proven oil reserves rank third in the world and provide an 
        important source of government revenue needed for Iraq's economic 
        future;
Whereas the Government of Iraq has made positive strides in seeking to generate 
        revenue from its substantial oil reserves by conducting an international 
        bidding and contracting process for oil field services, it has not yet 
        enacted comprehensive oil and gas sector framework and revenue-sharing 
        legislation;
Whereas Iraq has recognized that transparency in oil and gas revenue is critical 
        to ensuring the maximum impact of these revenues and in February 2010 
        became an implementing country of the Extractive Industries Transparency 
        Initiative (EITI);
Whereas more than 2,000,000 citizens of Iraq are displaced both within and 
        outside of the country and their children are not able to go to school;
Whereas while violence in Iraq has decreased in recent years it remains a threat 
        with more than 1900 civilians killed and 3800 wounded in random attacks 
        since January 2010; and
Whereas, on March 7, 2010, the people of Iraq elected 325 members of the Council 
        of Representatives who must select the Prime Minister and President 
        pursuant to the Constitution of Iraq: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) encourages all elected officials and political leaders 
        in the Republic of Iraq to redouble their efforts to form a new 
        government as soon as possible that is just, representative, 
        and accountable to the people of Iraq, and which is capable of 
        continuing to build the skills and effectiveness of Iraq's 
        security forces;
            (2) condemns the cowardly attacks on innocent civilians 
        perpetrated by terrorist thugs operating in Iraq;
            (3) urges the Government of Iraq to increase support for 
        its displaced citizens within Iraq and those currently living 
        in countries in the region and around the world, and to ensure 
        that their children have access to education; and
            (4) encourages the Government of Iraq to continue to 
        develop its oil and gas resources in order to meet development 
        needs, including by enacting comprehensive oil and gas sector 
        framework and revenue-sharing legislation, and by wholehearted 
        implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency 
        Initiative (EITI) and other measures to ensure the transparent 
        functioning of the oil and gas sector.
                                 <all>