[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 304 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 304
Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should not
support the February 20, 2004, elections in Iran and that the United
States should advocate a democratic government in Iran that will
restore freedom to the Iranian people and will abandon terrorism.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 12, 2004
Mr. Brownback (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Biden, and Mr. Daschle)
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should not
support the February 20, 2004, elections in Iran and that the United
States should advocate a democratic government in Iran that will
restore freedom to the Iranian people and will abandon terrorism.
Whereas there is a long history of mutual affection, appreciation, and respect
between the people of the United States and the people of Iran,
including the incalculable efforts by the United States in providing
humanitarian, financial, and technological assistance to help the people
of Iran;
Whereas the people of Iran have shown support for decency and freedom, and
solidarity with the United States, including the demonstration of such
support through candlelight vigils attended by the youth of Iran in the
wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks upon the United States;
Whereas the Council of Guardians is a 12-member unelected body that has
arbitrarily disqualified thousands of candidates, including sitting
Members of the Parliament of Iran and members of the reformist movement;
Whereas the elections scheduled to be held on February 20, 2004, in Iran are
fatally flawed;
Whereas the brave efforts of the people of Iran to promote greater democracy and
respect for human rights are being thwarted by the actions of the
Council of Guardians;
Whereas the blatant interference of the Council of Guardians in the electoral
process ensures that the elections scheduled for February 20, 2004, will
be neither free nor fair; and
Whereas the circumstances in Iran clearly call into serious question whether
pro-democratic reform within the regime of Iran is possible: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) the United States should not support the elections in
Iran scheduled to take place on February 20, 2004, as such
elections stifle the growth of the democratic forces in Iran
and do not serve the national security interest of the United
States;
(2) the support provided by the United States to Iran
should be provided to the people of Iran; and
(3) the policy of the United States should be to advocate a
democratic government in Iran that will restore freedom to the
people of Iran, will abandon terrorism, will protect human
rights, and will live in peace and security with the
international community.
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