[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 71 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S3229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 194--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE ON UNITED 
                  STATES MILITARY OPERATIONS IN LIBYA

  Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Levin, Mr. 
Graham, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Chambliss) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 194

       Whereas peaceful demonstrations that began in Libya, 
     inspired by similar movements in Tunisia, Egypt, and 
     elsewhere in the Middle East, quickly spread to cities around 
     the country, calling for greater political reform, 
     opportunity, justice, and the rule of law;
       Whereas, Muammar Qaddafi, his sons, and forces loyal to 
     them responded to the peaceful demonstrations by authorizing 
     and initiating violence against civilian non-combatants in 
     Libya, including the use of airpower and foreign mercenaries;
       Whereas, on February 25, 2011, President Barack Obama 
     imposed unilateral economic sanctions on and froze the assets 
     of Muammar Qaddafi and his family, as well as the Government 
     of Libya and its agencies, to hold the Qaddafi regime 
     accountable for its continued use of violence against unarmed 
     civilians and its human rights abuses and to safeguard the 
     assets of the people of Libya;
       Whereas, on February 26, 2011, the United Nations Security 
     Council passed Resolution 1970, which mandates international 
     economic sanctions and an arms embargo;
       Whereas, in response to Qaddafi's assault on Libyan 
     civilians, a ``no-fly zone'' in Libya was called for by the 
     Gulf Cooperation Council on March 7, 2011, by the head of the 
     Organization of the Islamic Conference on March 8, 2011, and 
     by the Arab League on March 12, 2011;
       Whereas Qaddafi's advancing forces, after recapturing 
     cities in eastern Libya that had been liberated by the Libyan 
     opposition, were preparing to attack Benghazi, a city of 
     700,000 people and the seat of the opposition Government in 
     Libya, the Interim Transitional National Council;
       Whereas Qaddafi stated that he would show ``no mercy'' to 
     his opponents in Benghazi, and that his forces would go 
     ``door to door'' to find and kill dissidents;
       Whereas, on March 17, 2011, the United Nations Security 
     Council passed Resolution 1973, which mandates ``all 
     necessary measures'' to protect civilians in Libya, implement 
     a ``no-fly zone'', and enforce an arms embargo against the 
     Qaddafi regime;
       Whereas President Obama notified key congressional leaders 
     in a meeting at the White House on March 18, 2011, of his 
     intent to begin targeted military operations in Libya;
       Whereas the United States Armed Forces, together with 
     coalition partners, launched Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya 
     on March 19, 2011, to protect civilians in Libya from 
     immediate danger and to enforce an arms embargo and a ``no-
     fly zone''; and
       Whereas, on March 31, 2011, the United States transferred 
     authority for Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya to NATO 
     command, with the mission continuing as Operation Unified 
     Protector: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the aspirations of the Libyan people for 
     political reform and self-government based on democratic and 
     human rights;
       (2) commends the service of the men and women of the United 
     States Armed Forces and our coalition partners who are 
     engaged in military operations to protect the people of 
     Libya;
       (3) supports the limited use of military force by the 
     United States in Libya as part of the NATO mission to enforce 
     United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 (2011), as 
     requested by the Transitional National Council, the Arab 
     League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council;
       (4) agrees that the goal of United States policy in Libya, 
     as stated by the President, is to achieve the departure from 
     power of Muammar Qaddafi and his family, including through 
     the use of non-military means, so that a peaceful transition 
     can begin to an inclusive government that ensures freedom, 
     opportunity, and justice for the people of Libya;
       (5) affirms that the funds of the Qaddafi regime that have 
     been frozen by the United States should be returned to the 
     Libyan people for their benefit, including humanitarian and 
     reconstruction assistance, and calls for exploring with the 
     Transitional National Council the possibility of using some 
     of such funds to reimburse NATO member countries for expenses 
     incurred in Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Unified 
     Protector; and
       (6) calls on the President--
       (A) to submit to Congress a description of United States 
     policy objectives in Libya, both during and after Qaddafi's 
     rule, and a detailed plan to achieve them; and
       (B) to consult regularly with Congress regarding United 
     States efforts in Libya.

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