[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 30 (Thursday, March 4, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1183-S1184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 437--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE 
POSITIVE EFFECT OF THE UPCOMING IRAQI PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ON IRAQ'S 
          POLITICAL RECONCILIATION AND DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS

  Mr. KERRY (for himself, Mr. McCain, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Lugar, Mr. 
Casey, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Kaufman) submitted the following resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 437

       Whereas on February 27th, 2009, President Obama declared 
     that the United States' ``clear and achievable goal'' is ``an 
     Iraq that is sovereign, stable, and self-reliant'' and that 
     the United States will achieve that goal by working ``to 
     promote an Iraqi government that is just, representative, and 
     accountable'';
       Whereas in December 2009, Iraq's elected officials ended 
     months of deadlock, passed a new election law, and scheduled 
     parliamentary elections for March 7, 2010;
       Whereas nearly 100,000 American soldiers, sailors, airmen 
     and Marines continue to serve in Iraq, marking the United 
     States' largest current overseas deployment;
       Whereas Iraq's future sovereignty, stability, and democracy 
     is threatened by serious internal and external challenges, 
     including--
       (1) continuing attempts by Al Qaeda in Iraq to perpetrate 
     mass casualty terrorist attacks intended to paralyze the 
     Iraqi state and reignite sectarian violence;
       (2) some surrounding countries' malign and destabilizing 
     interference in Iraq's internal affairs and their incomplete 
     diplomatic recognition of Iraq;
       (3) unresolved disputes over internal boundaries, including 
     the City of Kirkuk;
       (4) incomplete reintegration of Sunni Arab communities in 
     Iraq; and
       (5) ongoing incidents of civil and human rights abuses in a 
     diverse, multiconfessional society;
       Whereas, while the United States appreciates the profound 
     conviction of the Iraqi people to ensure that the Ba'ath 
     party never returns to power in Iraq, the process by which 
     scores of candidates have been disqualified from 
     participating in the March 7, 2010 elections--
       (1) has not met international standards of electoral 
     transparency and fairness;
       (2) was interpreted by many Iraqis as politically 
     motivated; and
       (3) risks diminishing participation in elections;
       Whereas the United States has a clear, strong, and enduring 
     national interest in helping the people of Iraq to establish 
     a stable, representative, and democratic state;
       Whereas the United States committed, in 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 (referred to in this resolution as the 
     ``Status of Forces Agreement'') signed in November 2008, to 
     redeploy--
       (1) all combat forces from Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009; 
     and
       (2) all United States forces from Iraq by December 31, 
     2011;
       Whereas United States combat forces successfully redeployed 
     from Iraq's cities by June 30, 2009, in accordance with the 
     Status of Forces Agreement, and are likely to carry out 
     further reductions in the number of United States military 
     forces in Iraq during the months after the March 7, 2010 
     elections;
       Whereas the United States and Iraq agreed in the Strategic 
     Framework Agreement, also signed in November 2008, to 
     ``continue to foster close cooperation concerning defense and 
     security arrangements'';
       Whereas the March 7, 2010 elections and the subsequent 
     government formation process will mark a period of 
     exceptional importance for the future of Iraq;
       Whereas Iraq conducted provincial elections in January 2009 
     that were free from widespread violence and the results of 
     which were recognized as legitimate by the internationally 
     community and the Iraqi people;
       Whereas several of Iraq's main electoral blocs have 
     committed to a Code of Conduct meant to ensure fair, 
     transparent, and inclusive elections:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) reaffirms the United States' strong commitment to 
     building a robust, long-term partnership with Iraq that 
     strengthens Iraq's security, stability, economy, and 
     democracy;
       (2) recognizes the United States' clear and enduring 
     interest in partnering with the people of Iraq in building a 
     stable, representative, successful, democratic state;
       (3) urges the Administration--
       (A) to devote continued, high-level attention and support 
     for the people and Government of Iraq toward these goals, in 
     particular during the critical months after the March 7, 2010 
     elections;
       (B) to work with the international community to provide all 
     necessary support for Iraqi elections, including technical 
     support for Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission and 
     assistance for domestic and international monitoring;
       (4) calls upon all parties within Iraq--
       (A) to ensure that the March 7, 2010 parliamentary 
     elections are free, fair, inclusive, and without violence or 
     intimidation; and
       (B) to refrain from rhetoric or actions that might undercut 
     the legitimacy of such elections or inflame communal 
     tensions;
       (5) urges the countries surrounding Iraq--
       (A) to refrain from exercising malign and destabilizing 
     interference in Iraq's internal affairs; and
       (B) to allow the people of Iraq to determine their own 
     future;
       (6) calls for the timely formation of an inclusive, 
     effective, and representative new Iraqi government after the 
     March 7, 2010 parliamentary elections;
       (7) reaffirms that, while United States military forces 
     redeploy from Iraq in the months after the March 7, 2010 
     elections, the United States must remain engaged in 
     partnering with the people of Iraq to help them in building a 
     stable, representative, and successful democratic state;
       (8) expresses gratitude to the men and women of the United 
     States Armed Forces,

[[Page S1184]]

     the Foreign Service, and other Federal Government agencies, 
     for their service, sacrifices, and heroism in Iraq; and
       (9) commends the people of Iraq for--
       (A) the courage they have shown;
       (B) the sacrifices they have endured; and
       (C) the hard-won gains they have made in fighting 
     terrorism, finding peace, and building democracy.

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