Speech #1020022537

Shiites and others throughout Iraq began an armed uprising against the government of Saddam Hussein. Whereas since the uprising began Iraqi forces have employed indiscriminate force against civilian populations throughout the country. including the use of weapons such as napalm and phosphorous. and have killed thousands. and displaced and put at risk of starvation perhaps one million people. Whereas the United Nations Security Council on April 5. 1991. adopted Resolution 688 which condemns the repression of Iraqi civilians and states that this repression threatens international peace and security in the region. demands that the Iraqi Government immediately end its repression of civilians. insists that Iraq allow immediate access by international humanitarian organizations to those in need of assistance and demands that Iraq cooperate with the Secretary General to address urgently the critical needs of the refugees. Whereas the United Nations and the United States. as the leader of the international coalition opposing Iraqi aggression. have a unique responsibility and ability to address the plight of the Iraqi refugees. Now. therefore. be it hereby Resolved by the Senate. That: The Senate strongly condemns Iraqs continuing military atrocities. its slaughter of thousands of innocent civilians. and its blatant violations of international standards of human rights and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. The Senate calls for a United States policy in support of democracy and respect for human rights and international law in Iraq. The Senate believes that the United States has a moral obligation to provide sustained humanitarian relief for Iraqi refugeees and urges the President to continue his efforts to garner international support for those fleeing Iraqi repression. The Senate notes the assistance Turkey and Iran have provided to Iraqi refugees. encourages them to continue to assist the refugees in every appropriate manner. and pledges United States assistance to international relief efforts for the refugee populations. The Senate calls upon the President Immediately to press the United Nations Security Council to adopt effective measures to assist Iraqi refugees as set forth in Resolution 688 and to enftrce. pursuant to Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. the demand in Resolution 688 that Iraq immediately end its repression of the Iraqi civilian population. Such measures could include: (1) establishing temporary enclaves to provide sanctuary to those fleeing Iraqi troops. (2) developing procedures to verify the full implementation of any Iraqi Government offer of amnesty to Iraqi citizens. (3) maintaining economic sanctions against Iraq. and (4) using effective means to protect refugees pursuant to Article 42 of the United Nation Charter.