IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 266
Expressing the sense of Congress that Cote d’Ivoire be encouraged and 
supported by the United States in its efforts to hold democratic elections 
in the very near future. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 7, 2005
Mr. TOWNS submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on International Relations 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of Congress that Cote d’Ivoire be en-
couraged and supported by the United States in its ef-
forts to hold democratic elections in the very near future.
Whereas a fundamental tenet of America’s foreign policy is 
to promote democracy throughout the world; 
Whereas in his inaugural address earlier this year President 
Bush pledged to ‘‘seek and support the growth of demo-
cratic movements and institutions in every nation and 
culture’’; 
Whereas today, the United States has an opportunity—an 
obligation—to affirm democracy and democratic prin-
ciples in another country, Cote d’Ivoire;
HCON 266 IH 
Whereas this strong U.S. ally is facing calls by Secretary-
General Annan to postpone indefinitely its presidential 
election; 
Whereas Cote d’Ivoire today is hampered by a brutal cam-
paign of fear and intimidation being carried out by anti-
government rebel forces. These forces have consistently 
flouted demands by the United Nations to disarm, and 
postponing the election would mean a great victory for 
these forces; 
Whereas the rebel behavior stands in stark contrast to that 
of President Laurent Gbagbo, a committed democrat and 
U.S. ally. President Gbagbo has been certified by South 
African president Thabo Mbeki as having met every term 
of the peace accord that was agreed to this past April; 
Whereas since September 19, 2002 the northern half of the 
country has been held by a well-armed, self-appointed 
rebel movement that has been elevated to a political sta-
tus that was not achieved through the ballot box; 
Whereas, in contrast, from the beginning, since October 28, 
2002, President Laurent Gbagbo, a democratically elect-
ed president, has met with and negotiated with all inter-
ested parties, including those in the rebel movement; 
Whereas, over the past two years, President Gbagbo has ac-
ceded to every compromise asked of him by the inter-
national mediators in the crisis, granting amnesties, im-
plementing cease-fires, appointing rebel representatives to 
a cabinet of national unity, and most recently—at the 
prompting of the African Union’s mediator, South Afri-
ca’s President Thabo Mbeki—amending the Ivorian con-
stitution in line with rebel demands on presidential eligi-
HCON 266 IH 
bility so as to remove their last stated excuse for pur-
suing the path of violence; 
Whereas it is time for the international community to ac-
knowledge the failure of the peace process, and take steps 
to end the violations of the peace undertakings; and 
Whereas the issues in Cote d’Ivoire have implications 
throughout the world. Democratic leaders, in the model 
of President Gbagbo, need to know that democracy will 
be supported when it is under siege. Similarly, terrorist 
and rebel forces—regardless of country—need to know 
they will be resisted: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress, along with the Bush Adminis-
tration, reject this call for postponement of the elections 
and that the United States commit the resources that are 
necessary to ensure the country can hold its elections on 
the earliest possible date.
Æ