IIA 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. J. RES. 33 

To provide for a strategy for successfully empowering a new unity government 

in Iraq. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 6, 2006 

Mr. KERRY introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and 

referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

JOINT RESOLUTION 

To provide for a strategy for successfully empowering a 

new unity government in Iraq. 

Whereas the men and women of the Armed Forces have performed with valor, honor, and courage in Iraq; 

Whereas Iraq can only achieve stability with a national unity 

government embraced by Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds; 

Whereas the President stated on March 21, 2006, that a national unity government ‘‘is necessary to achieve our objective’’ in Iraq; 

Whereas on December 15, 2005, the people of Iraq elected 

their first permanent government since the 2003 invasion 

by choosing a representative assembly; 


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Whereas the newly elected leaders in Iraq have yet to form 

a government of national unity which is necessary for a 

sustainable political solution; 

Whereas the creation of a government of national unity will 

constitute an important benchmark in transferring political responsibilities to the people of Iraq; 

Whereas former Prime Minister of Iraq, Iyad Allawi, stated 

on March 19, 2006, that there is currently a civil war 

taking place in Iraq; 

Whereas in order to find a political solution that is necessary 

to undermine the insurgency, end sectarian violence, and 

bring stability to Iraq, the people of Iraq must reach a 

comprehensive agreement that includes forming a unity 

government, security guarantees, disbanding the militias, 

and a process for reviving the reconstruction efforts and 

securing the borders of Iraq; 

Whereas reaching a comprehensive agreement that will help 

bring stability to Iraq is in the best interests of our allies, 

members of the Arab League, the neighbors of Iraq, and 

the international community; 

Whereas our allies, members of the Arab League, the neighbors of Iraq, and the international community, represented by the five permanent members of the United 

Nations Security Council, can assist in the process of 

bringing about such a comprehensive agreement; 

Whereas bringing the leaders of the factions in Iraq together 

at a summit that includes our allies, members of the 

Arab League, the neighbors of Iraq, and representatives 

of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council would provide a necessary and appropriate 

forum for reaching such a comprehensive agreement; 


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Whereas the commander of the Multinational Forces-Iraq, 

General George Casey, testified before the Committee on 

Armed Services of the Senate on September 29, 2005, 

that ‘‘[i]ncreased coalition presence feeds the notion of 

occupation . . . contributes to the dependency of Iraqi security forces on the coalition . . . [and] . . . extends the 

amount of time that it will take for Iraqi security forces 

to become self-reliant’’; 

Whereas General Casey also said that ‘‘[r]educing the visibility and, ultimately, the presence of coalition forces as 

we transition to Iraqi security self-reliance remains a key 

element of our overall counterinsurgency strategy’’; 

Whereas the overwhelming majority of Iraqis want United 

States forces to withdraw from Iraq; 

Whereas the Armed Forces have established a training program for the security forces of Iraq that continues to 

make possible the assumption of security responsibilities 

by such security forces; and 

Whereas the withdrawal of United States forces under a 

schedule agreed upon with the new government of Iraq 

would strengthen and legitimize that government, enable 

the people of Iraq to become more self-reliant, and undermine support for the insurgency in Iraq: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 That— 

4 (1) the President should immediately convene a 

5 summit that includes leaders in Iraq, the allies of 

6 the United States, members of the Arab League, the 


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1 neighbors of Iraq, and representatives of the five 

2 permanent members of the United Nations Security 

3 Council to reach a comprehensive political agreement 

4 for Iraq that includes forming a unity government, 

5 security guarantees, disbanding the militias, and a 

6 process for reviving reconstruction efforts and secur7 ing the borders of Iraq; 

8 (2) United States forces shall be withdrawn 

9 from Iraq at the earliest practicable date if Iraqis 

10 fail to form a national unity government by May 15, 

11 2006; 

12 (3) if Iraqis form a national unity government 

13 by May 15, 2006— 

14 (A) the United States should reach agree15 ment as soon as possible with such government 

16 on a schedule for the withdrawal of United 

17 States forces from Iraq, leaving only forces crit18 ical to completing the mission of standing up 

19 security forces of Iraq; and 

20 (B) the President shall— 

21 (i) consult with Congress on the 

22 schedule referred to in subparagraph (A); 

23 and 


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1 (ii) present such withdrawal agree2 ment to Congress immediately upon its 

3 completion; and 

4 (4) redeployment of United States forces to 

5 rear guard, garrisoned status in Iraq for security 

6 back-up, training, and emergency response in Iraq 

7 should be accelerated. 

Æ 


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