3 cussions in a sincere and purposeful and forward looking manner for a final settlement" and "they were satisfied with the discussions and expressed their determination to work together to carry forward the process and to bring the benefit of peace to their people" as stated by the joint statement signed by Prime Minister Singh and President Musharraf; Whereas both leaders "condemned attempts to disrupt the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and welcomed its successful operationalisation" and "pledged that they would not allow terrorism to impede the peace process"; Whereas both leaders "decided to increase the frequency of the bus service and also decided that trucks would be allowed to use this route to promote trade" and "also agreed to operationalise additional routes including that between Poonch and Rawalakot" and "look forward to early start of the bus service between Amritsar and Lahore and to religious places such as Nankana Sahib” and "agreed to re-establish the Khokhrapar-Munnabao route by 1st January 2006"; and Whereas at the conclusion of the most recent talks Prime Minister Singh and President Musharraf declared in their joint statement that they were "conscious of the historic opportunity created by the improved environment in relations and the overwhelming desire of the peoples of the two countries for durable peace and recognizing their responsibility to continue to move forward towards that objective, the two leaders had substantive talks on all issues" and "they determined that the peace process was now irreversible": Now, therefore, be it 1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 2 4 This resolution may be cited as the "India-Pakistan 3 Peace Resolution". 4 SEC. 2. RECOGNIZING INDIA AND PAKISTAN. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 The House of Representatives (1) congratulates India and Pakistan on taking monumental steps toward achieving a comprehensive peace agreement; (2) applauds Prime Minister Singh and President Musharraf for their leadership in bringing their two nations together; and (3) calls upon both India and Pakistan to con tinue down this path of peace so that their children may realize a harmonious future. IV 109TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 273 Urging the withdrawal of all Syrian forces from Lebanon, support for free and fair democratic elections in Lebanon, and the development of democratic institutions and safeguards to foster sovereign democratic rule in Lebanon. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY 11, 2005 Mr. McCOTTER (for himself, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. Cox, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, and Mr. SCHWARZ of Michigan) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations RESOLUTION Urging the withdrawal of all Syrian forces from Lebanon, support for free and fair democratic elections in Lebanon, and the development of democratic institutions and safeguards to foster sovereign democratic rule in Leb anon. Whereas the people of the Lebanese Republic have a rich, proud, and honorable history dating from ancient times to the present, and Lebanon has been a free and democratic nation for much of its modern history; Whereas Lebanon and the United States have enjoyed a history of friendship and cooperation which has been witnessed by the immigration of millions of Lebanese to the 2 United States where they and their descendants have contributed greatly to the fabric of American life; Whereas Syria has dominated Lebanese politics and political leaders, resulting in a deterioration of Lebanon's human rights situation, the engineering of Lebanese election results to Syria's liking, and the imposition of curbs on Lebanon's media, once the freest in the Arab world; Whereas Syria has publicly withdrawn its military forces from Lebanon, leaving behind a pro-Syrian intelligence structure within the Lebanese intelligence agencies; Whereas Congress conditioned the lifting of sanctions on Damascus in the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-175) upon the Government of Syria ending its occupation of Lebanon, including the complete withdrawal of intelligence and all other security-related personnel in Lebanon, and upon other factors; Whereas the international community has reaffirmed its call for the strict respect of Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence under the sole and exclusive authority of the Government of Lebanon through the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004); Whereas there remains unresolved and as a matter of national and world concern the assassination of Rafiq alHariri, former Lebanese prime minister, which has justly been condemned as a terrorist act; Whereas the international community has begun investigations into the assassination of Rafiq al-Hariri and it is the policy of the United States to urge full compliance with the investigations; 3 Whereas the international community is considering further action to promote Lebanese sovereignty; Whereas the emancipation of political prisoners and detainees held in Syrian and Lebanese prisons is a requirement to a national reconciliation and rebuilding of Lebanon's democratic institutions; and Whereas general elections in Lebanon are scheduled to begin on May 29, 2005: Now, therefore, be it 1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep 2 resentatives that 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (1) Syria should complete its withdrawal of all remaining intelligence and security forces from the Lebanese Republic in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004); (2) Lebanon should allow unfettered access to international monitors verifying compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004); (3) Lebanon should hold free, fair, and trans 12 parent elections to begin on May 29, 2005, in ac 13 14 15 16 17 18 cordance with all international standards and agreements; (4) the United States should aid the people of Lebanon in their efforts to restore the separation of powers, the rule of law, and the proper respect for fundamental freedoms of every citizen; and HRES 273 IH |