[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 30 Referred in House (RFH)]
1st Session
S. CON. RES. 30
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 31, 2003
Referred to the Committee on International Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress to commend and express the gratitude
of the United States to the nations participating with the United
States in the Coalition to Disarm Iraq.
Whereas on September 12, 2002, the President of the United States, appearing at
the United Nations, called on that institution and its member states to
meet their responsibility to disarm Iraq;
Whereas on November 8, 2002, the United Nations Security Council approved
Security Council Resolution 1441 under chapter VII of the United Nations
Charter by a vote of 15-0, giving Iraq a final opportunity to comply
with its disarmament obligations;
Whereas on January 30, 2003, the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Hungary, Italy,
Poland, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, and the Presidents of the
Czech Republic and the Spanish Government, issued a declaration
regarding Security Council Resolution 1441, wherein they stated that
``[t]he transatlantic relationship must not become a casualty of the
current Iraqi regime's persistent attempts to threaten world security .
. . . The Iraqi regime and its weapons of mass destruction represent a
clear threat to world security. This danger has been explicitly
recognized by the United Nations. All of us are bound by Security
Council Resolution 1441, which was adopted unanimously.'';
Whereas the January 30, 2003, declaration continued to state that ``Resolution
1441 is Saddam Hussein's last chance to disarm using peaceful means. The
opportunity to avoid greater confrontation rests with him . . . . Our
governments have a common responsibility to face this threat . . . .
[T]he Security Council must maintain its credibility by ensuring full
compliance with its resolutions. We cannot allow a dictator to
systematically violate those resolutions. If they are not complied with,
the Security Council will lose its credibility and world peace will
suffer as a result.'';
Whereas on February 5, 2003, the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia, and
Slovenia issued a declaration regarding Security Council Resolution
1441, stating that ``the United States [has] presented compelling
evidence to the United Nations Security Council detailing Iraq's weapons
of mass destruction programs, its active efforts to deceive United
Nations inspectors, and its links to international terrorism . . . . The
transatlantic community, of which we are a part, must stand together to
face the threat posed by the nexus of terrorism and dictators with
weapons of mass destruction.'';
Whereas the February 5, 2003, declaration continued to state that ``it has now
become clear that Iraq is in material breach of United Nations Security
Council resolutions, including United Nations Resolution 1441...The
clear and present danger posed by Saddam Hussein's regime requires a
united response from the community of democracies. We call upon the
United Nations Security Council to take the necessary and appropriate
action in response to Iraq's continuing threat to international peace
and security.'';
Whereas many of the supporters of the January 30, 2003, and February 5, 2003,
declarations have provided important support to the United States in
addition to their political declarations; and
Whereas in addition to the supporters of the January 30, 2003, and February 5,
2003, declarations, important diplomatic and strategic support to the
United States-led Coalition to Disarm Iraq have been provided by such
nations as Afghanistan, Angola, Australia, Azerbaijan, Colombia, Costa
Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia,
Honduras, Iceland, Japan, Kuwait, Macedonia, the Marshall Islands,
Micronesia, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, the
Philippines, Rwanda, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, South Korea, Tonga,
Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),
That Congress--
(1) commends and expresses the gratitude of the United
States to the nations participating in and contributing to the
Coalition to Disarm Iraq, including--
(A) the supporters of the January 30, 2003,
declaration issued by the Prime Ministers of Denmark,
Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and the United
Kingdom, and the Presidents of the Czech Republic and
the Spanish Government;
(B) the supporters of the February 5, 2003,
declaration issued by the Foreign Ministers of Albania,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,
Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia; and
(C) other allies of the United States who are
participating in or contributing to the Coalition;
(2) expresses sincere gratitude to Australia, Denmark,
Poland, and the United Kingdom, whose military forces have
joined United States Armed Forces to disarm and liberate Iraq;
(3) expresses sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister of
the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, the Prime Minister of
Australia, John Howard, and the President of the Spanish
Government, Jose Maria Aznar, for their courageous support and
strong commitment to the Coalition to Disarm Iraq;
(4) expresses sincere gratitude to other allied nations,
including nations in the Persian Gulf region, for their
military support, logistical support, and other assistance in
the current campaign against the regime of Saddam Hussein in
Iraq;
(5) welcomes and encourages the active involvement and
participation of these countries, other nations, and key
international organizations in the reconstruction and
administration of Iraq after the current conflict in Iraq; and
(6) commends and expresses the gratitude of the United
States to the military personnel and civilians of the member
states of the Coalition to Disarm Iraq who are serving in
operations against the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, and to
the family members of such personnel and civilians who have
borne the burden of sacrifice and separation from their loved
ones during the current conflict in Iraq.
Passed the Senate March 27, 2003.
Attest:
EMILY J. REYNOLDS,
Secretary.