III 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 26 

Commending the people of Iraq on the election held on January 30, 2005, 

of a 275-member Transitional National Assembly and of provincial and 

regional governments and encouraging further steps toward establishment 

of a free, democratic, secure, and prosperous Iraq. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JANUARY 31, 2005 

Mr. LUGAR submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION

Commending the people of Iraq on the election held on 

January 30, 2005, of a 275-member Transitional National Assembly and of provincial and regional governments and encouraging further steps toward establishment of a free, democratic, secure, and prosperous Iraq.

Whereas on January 30, 2005, for the first time in over 50 

years, the citizens of Iraq had the opportunity to vote in 

a free election, to choose their own leaders, and to begin 

the process of writing their own constitution; 

Whereas the election in Iraq was held despite imperfect conditions, threats to voters, candidates, and election workers, and acts of violence by those seeking to prevent the 

voice of the majority of the people of Iraq from being 

heard; 
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Whereas an estimated 14,300,000 Iraqis were registered to 

vote at more than 5,000 polling stations across Iraq and 

in 14 other countries; 

Whereas a majority of individuals who were eligible to vote 

participated in the election and the final results of the 

election will be certified on February 15, 2005; 

Whereas, the newly elected 275-member Transitional National Assembly of Iraq will include at least 25 percent 

female representation, will serve as the national legislature of Iraq, and will name a Presidency Council consisting of a President and 2 Vice Presidents that will appoint a new Prime Minister of Iraq and approve the selection of cabinet ministers; 

Whereas the Transitional National Assembly will draft a national constitution that will be presented to the people of 

Iraq for their approval in a national referendum to be 

held in October 2005 and that will lead to the election 

of a constitutional government in Iraq; 

Whereas the election establishes a credible process for governing Iraq under a mandate from the majority of the 

people of Iraq and reflects the will of the people for a 

new Iraq in which all communities are represented and 

terrorism is eliminated; 

Whereas the election was a historic step towards development 

of democracy for the people of Iraq and an inspiration to 

all those in the region who are striving to achieve democracy in their own countries; 

Whereas the United States is committed to facilitating the 

development of a strong and proud Iraq that is built by 

the people of Iraq through their unified efforts and their 
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commitment to protecting the territorial integrity and national unity of Iraq; 

Whereas President George W. Bush stated after the election 

in Iraq that the ‘‘world is hearing the voice of freedom 

from the center of the Middle East’’; and 

Whereas the United States Government stands ready to work 

with the new Government of Iraq to build a free, democratic, secure, and prosperous Iraq: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes that, on January 30, 2005, the 

3 people of Iraq elected a 275-member Transitional 

4 National Assembly and leaders of provincial and re5 gional governments in Iraq in an election that has 

6 been widely described as free and fair; 

7 (2) recognizes this election is a milestone in the 

8 development of democracy in Iraq, commends the 

9 people of Iraq on the election, and congratulates the 

10 new members of the Transitional National Assembly 

11 and the leaders of the provincial and regional gov12 ernments; 

13 (3) commends the Independent Electoral Com14 mission of Iraq for its administration of the election 

15 and commends the United Nations Mission in Iraq 

16 for the provision of expert technical assistance and 

17 training to the Commission; 

18 (4) expresses its respect for the freely expressed 

19 will of the people of Iraq, its admiration for their 
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1 courage in the face of intimidation, threats, and acts 

2 of violence, and its intention to work with the new 

3 Government of Iraq to help the people of Iraq realize 

4 the opportunity for a more peaceful and prosperous 

5 future; 

6 (5) urges the new leadership of Iraq to move 

7 forward with drafting the constitution, upholding the 

8 rule of law, and holding a referendum on the new 

9 constitution in October 2005; 

10 (6) urges all members of the international com11 munity to help Iraq end the violent insurgency which 

12 is destabilizing the region and help Iraq build the 

13 necessary political, economic, and security infra14 structure essential to establish a viable, democratic 

15 state and improve the lives of the people of Iraq; and 

16 (7) reaffirms the commitment of the United 

17 States to help the people of Iraq succeed in building 

18 their own government and fulfilling the aspirations 

19 of the people of Iraq for a free, united, peaceful, and 

20 prosperous Iraq.

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