[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 123 (Thursday, October 5, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S9964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 142--RELATING TO THE REESTABLISHMENT OF 
                REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

  Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself and Mr. Torricelli) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Foreign Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 142

       Whereas Afghanistan has existed as a sovereign nation since 
     1747, maintaining its independence, neutrality, and dignity;
       Whereas Afghanistan had maintained its own decisionmaking 
     through a traditional process called a ``Loya Jirgah'', or 
     Grand Assembly, by selecting, respecting, and following the 
     decisions of their leaders;
       Whereas recently warlords, factional leaders, and foreign 
     regimes have laid siege to Afghanistan, leaving the landscape 
     littered with landmines, making the most fundamental 
     activities dangerous;
       Whereas in recent years, and especially since the Taliban 
     came to power in 1996, Afghanistan has become a haven for 
     terrorist activity, has produced most of the world's opium 
     supply, and has become infamous for its human rights abuses, 
     particularly abuses against women and children;
       Whereas the former King of Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir 
     Shah, ruled the country peacefully for 40 years, and after 
     years in exile retains his popularity and support; and
       Whereas former King Mohammed Zahir Shah plans to convene an 
     emergency ``Loya Jirgah'' to reestablish a stable government, 
     with no desire to regain power or reestablish a monarchy, and 
     the Department of State supports such ongoing efforts: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the United States--
       (1) supports democratic efforts undertaken in Afghanistan 
     that respect the human and political rights of the people of 
     all ethnic and religious groups in that country, including 
     the efforts to reestablish a ``Loya Jirgah'' process that 
     would lead to the people of Afghanistan determining their own 
     destiny through a democratic process involving free and fair 
     elections; and
       (2) supports the continuing efforts of former King Mohammed 
     Zahir Shah and other responsible parties searching for peace 
     to convene an emergency ``Loya Jirgah''--
       (A) to reestablish a representative government in 
     Afghanistan that respects the rights of the people of all 
     ethnic and religious groups, including the right of the 
     people to govern their own affairs through inclusive 
     institution building and a democratic process;
       (B) to bring freedom, peace, and stability to Afghanistan; 
     and
       (C) to end terrorist activities, drug production, and human 
     rights abuses in Afghanistan.

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