HRES273MAY27

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending May 27, 2005

House Resolution 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.

Click flag for map and country data, Syria

Click flag for map and country data, Lebanon

UN Click "UN" for press release regarding UN Resolution 1559

BRIEF

This Resolution would dictate that remaining Syrian military and intelligence personnel be immediately removed from Lebanon as per UN Resolution 1559 despite the fact that the UN publicly announced compliance with that Resolution on April 29, 2005 and again reaffirmed the complete withdrawal in an Associated Press story dated May 23, 2005.

History shows that Syria has been a friend to the US since 9-11 in particular. The country has arrested, deported, tried and convicted terrorist and suspected terrorists since the US occupation of Iraq and in the early days after September 11 has turned over terrorist and terrorist suspects for whom the US was looking.

There are no shortage of individuals and organizations in the US and elsewhere that recall Syria’s involvement in Lebanon as critical to stabilizing problems between Lebanon and Israel as well as Syria and Israel. The most significant point of contention has always been Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights. Syria was asked to intervene militarily by a faction in Lebanon that was embroiled in civil war.

The US Congress continues to vilify the country with accusations that Syria is a protective government to and a breeding ground and financial oasis for terrorists operating against the US in Iraq. It is asserted by the US and Israel that Hezbollah, a political organization favored by a majority of voters in Lebanon and Syria is also a terrorist organization or has a branch that operates as such and is quite effective. Recently, Syria cut off all involvement with US military and US intelligence reportedly because of the insulting and accusatory position the US has taken against the country.

As far as valid, yet to be resolved, concerns the Resolution urges that “Lebanon should allow unfettered access to international monitors verifying compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004); Lebanon should hold free, fair, and transparent elections to begin on May 29, 2005, in accordance with all international standards and agreements; 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.” The Resolution also suggests the development of policies regarding Lebanon and Syria that are compatible with the resolution’s assertions.

Sponsor: Representative Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-MI-11^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote (May 23, 2005)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

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 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 al-Hariri, 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;

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

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--

(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 transparent elections to begin on May 29, 2005, in accordance 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

(5) it should be the policy of the United States Government to--

(A) support free and fair elections in Lebanon by encouraging international election assistance and observers;

(B) urge the development of democratic institutions and safeguards to foster sovereign democratic rule in Lebanon; and

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