I
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5925
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 29, 2008
Ms. Woolsey (for herself and Mr. Shays) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
A BILL
To establish a fund to support international efforts for political reconciliation in Iraq, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
International Partnership for
Reconciliation in Iraq Act of 2008
.
Findings and sense of Congress
Findings
Congress finds the following:
The bipartisan
Iraq Study Group report found that national reconciliation is essential
to reduce further violence and maintain the unity of Iraq
.
The bipartisan
Iraq Study Group report recommended that diplomats work to energize
countries to support national political reconciliation in Iraq
.
The January 2007
National Security Council report, entitled the Iraq Strategy Review, set an
objective to foster the conditions for Iraqi national reconciliation,
but with the Iraqi government clearly in the lead
.
United States
Ambassador Ryan Crocker, in testimony to Congress on September 10, 2007, noted
that the United States will continue our efforts to assist Iraqis in the
pursuit of national reconciliation
.
In 2006, the Iraqi Government announced the creation of the National Council for the Reconciliation.
Sense of Congress
Congress—
strongly supports reconciliation efforts within Iraq; and
strongly supports the creation of an Iraqi-supported international commitment to reconciliation in Iraq and a safe and secure future for the Iraqi people.
Assistance to support international efforts for political reconciliation in Iraq
Purpose of assistance
The purpose of assistance under this section is to support international efforts to encourage peaceful and positive contact, dialogue, and reconciliation among the Iraqi people.
Authorization of assistance
The President of the United States Institute of Peace is authorized to provide assistance to carry out the purpose of subsection (a).
Activities supported
Activities that may be supported by assistance under subsection (b) include—
preventing violent conflicts in Iraq;
promoting post-conflict stability and development in Iraq;
increasing conflict management capacity, tools, and intellectual capital within Iraq;
promoting tolerance and forgiveness; and
facilitating dialogue in the region.
Authorization of appropriations
In general
To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President of the United States Institute of Peace $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
Other provisions
Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under paragraph (1)—
may be referred to
as the Political Reconciliation in Iraq Fund
; and
are authorized to remain available until expended.