[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 18 (Thursday, February 24, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 83--COMMENDING THE PEOPLE OF IRAN FOR 
   THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND POSITIVE POLITICAL 
        REFORM ON THE OCCASION OF IRAN'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

  Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself and Mr. Wellstone) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was considered and agreed to.

                            S. Con. Res. 83

       Whereas the Islamic Republic of Iran held parliamentary 
     elections on February 18, 2000;
       Whereas more than 75 percent of the approximately 
     39,000,000 eligible voters cast ballots in the elections;
       Whereas preliminary results indicate that reformers have 
     won a parliamentary majority, freeing Iran's parliament, the 
     Majlis, of hard-line domination for the first time since the 
     1979 Iranian revolution;
       Whereas reformers won elections despite concerted efforts 
     by hard-line Iranian clergy to ban reformist forces from the 
     ballot; and
       Whereas the elections show a clear preference by a majority 
     of Iranian voters for democracy, rule of law, and improved 
     relations with Western nations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) commends the people of Iran for their commitment to the 
     democratic process;
       (2) congratulates reformist parliamentarians on their 
     recent electoral victory;
       (3) reaffirms the desire of the United States to see free, 
     democratic political development, the restoration of the rule 
     of law, and full civil and political rights for all Iranians; 
     and
       (4) calls on the Government of Iran to rejoin the community 
     of nations and renounce terrorism, opposition to the Middle 
     East peace process, and the development and acquisition of 
     weapons of mass destruction.

                          ____________________