[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10425-S10426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 150--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. 150

       Whereas Afghanistan has existed as a sovereign nation since 
     1747, maintaining its independence, neutrality, and dignity;

[[Page S10426]]

       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 the democratic efforts that respect the human 
     and political rights of all ethnic and religious groups in 
     Afghanistan, including the effort to establish a ``Loya 
     Jirgah'' process that would lead to the people of Afghanistan 
     determining their own destiny through a democratic process 
     and 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 a Loya Jirgah--
       (A) to reestablish a representative government in 
     Afghanistan that respects the rights of all ethnic groups, 
     including the right 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, illicit drug production, 
     and human rights abuses in Afghanistan.

                          ____________________