IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 751
Commending the people and the Governments of the Hashemite Kingdom 
of Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the State 
of Qatar, and the Sultanate Oman for their progress toward democratiza-
tion and political and economic liberalization. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 22, 2004
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN (for herself and Mr. ACKERMAN) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations 
RESOLUTION 
Commending the people and the Governments of the 
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, 
the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, and the Sul-
tanate Oman for their progress toward democratization 
and political and economic liberalization.
Whereas the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of 
Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, and 
the Sultanate Oman are taking significant steps towards 
democratization by reforming their educational systems 
to incorporate democratic values and principles in order 
to solidify the roots of democracy in their societies; 
Whereas progress toward democracy and pluralism is pro-
moted and supported by both the leaders and the popu-
lations of these countries;
•HRES 751 IH 
Whereas these countries have also been expanding economic 
ties with the United States through Trade and Invest-
ment Framework Agreements and Free Trade Agree-
ments that promote economic modernization and trans-
parency; 
Whereas in June 2003, after a two year suspension of Par-
liament, Jordan held parliamentary elections; 
Whereas the parliamentary elections were the first elections 
to be held during the reign of His Majesty King Abdullah 
II of Jordan, and they were conducted in an orderly and 
transparent manner; 
Whereas municipal elections for the Jordanian capital city of 
Amman were held in July 2003, and other local councils’ 
elections were held in September 2003; 
Whereas Jordan has placed high importance in recent years 
on the rights of women to vote and run for public office, 
ensuring that six seats in the Jordanian House of Depu-
ties are reserved for female candidates over and above 
any seats freely won in the elections; 
Whereas in a speech to the Jordanian parliament in Decem-
ber 2003, King Abdullah called for ‘‘radical changes’’ de-
signed to turn Jordan into a ‘‘modern, democratic coun-
try’’, and announced five goals: 
(1) increasing integrity and transparency in govern-
ance; 
(2) increasing participation of young people and 
women in the political process; 
(3) promoting a culture of democracy; 
(4) establishing an independent judiciary and inde-
pendent media; and
•HRES 751 IH 
(5) involving the private sector in business develop-
ment and social reform;
Whereas the Government of Jordan recently created the Min-
istry of Political Development and Parliamentary Affairs 
(MOPD), with the goal of promoting democracy through 
building and strengthening the democratic institutions of 
Jordan, including the parliament and the judicial system, 
as well as the legislative and regulatory frameworks in 
which they operate; 
Whereas the National Center for Human Rights was estab-
lished in 2002 by King Abdullah II, but it now operates 
as an independent entity promoting human rights as an 
integral part of political reform efforts underway in Jor-
dan; 
Whereas an independent Higher Media Council has been cre-
ated, independent administrative bodies, such as the 
Board of Directors of the Radio and Television Corpora-
tion, have been formed, the Government has sold its 
shares in the daily newspapers, and laws have been 
passed to allow private television and radio stations to 
operate in Jordan; 
Whereas Jordan and the United States signed a Free Trade 
Agreement that went into effect in December 2001; 
Whereas the Government of Bahrain is demonstrating its 
commitment to acquiring the consent of the people it gov-
erns by nurturing a truly democratic political culture; 
Whereas, in February 2002, the people of Bahrain accepted, 
by referendum, a ‘‘National Action Charter’’ that estab-
lished procedures for the election of a 40-member na-
tional assembly;
•HRES 751 IH 
Whereas, in 2002, Bahrain extended full suffrage to women, 
and women then voted and ran for office in the subse-
quent parliamentary and municipal elections; 
Whereas, in October 2002, Bahrain held parliamentary elec-
tions, the first since 1973, and municipal elections were 
conducted in May 2002, the first since 1957; 
Whereas the Government of Bahrain recently announced that 
it would accept the legalization of political parties if par-
liament so decided, making Bahrain the first Persian 
Gulf country to allow political parties; 
Whereas King Hamad of Bahrain has released political pris-
oners and allowed exiles to return, has abolished emer-
gency laws and courts, and has eased restrictions on free-
dom of expression and freedom of association; 
Whereas the Government of Bahrain has allowed the estab-
lishment of dozens of advocacy associations, including an 
independent human rights organization; 
Whereas, in May 2004, Bahrain concluded negotiations with 
the United States for the establishment of a Free Trade 
Agreement; 
Whereas, in 1963, Kuwait became the first Persian Gulf 
country to hold elections; 
Whereas Kuwait revived its elected National Assembly in Oc-
tober 1992 after six years of suspension, and the Na-
tional Assembly has more influence in decision-making 
and more power than any other respective representative 
body in the Gulf Cooperation Council (composed of Bah-
rain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the 
United Arab Emirates), including the power to review 
and veto governmental decrees, the ability, by a majority 
vote, to veto the appointment by the Emir of Kuwait of
•HRES 751 IH 
a Crown prince, and the power to impeach members of 
the cabinet; 
Whereas, in July 2003, Kuwait held parliamentary elections 
and the next elections are scheduled to be held in 2007; 
Whereas, in May 2004, the Government of Kuwait embarked 
on a renewed effort to extend voting rights to women, 
which had previously been blocked by the Parliament; 
Whereas Kuwait and the United States signed a Trade and 
Investment Framework Agreement in February 2004; 
Whereas, in late 1998, the Emir of Qatar announced that a 
constitution would be drafted providing for an elected 
National Assembly to replace the appointed 35-member 
Consultative Council in place since independence in 1971; 
Whereas, in March 1999, Qatar held elections for a 29-mem-
ber municipal affairs council, becoming the first country 
in the Persian Gulf to extend full suffrage to women; 
Whereas, in 2002, country-wide municipal elections were held 
in Qatar and women participated fully; 
Whereas, in 2003, Qatar approved a new constitution by ref-
erendum which ensures freedom of political expression, 
freedom of association, and freedom of religion, and in-
cluded the establishment of a 45-member parliament; 
Whereas, on June 8, 2004, the Emir of Qatar announced 
that the new constitution will come into effect on June 
8, 2005, and country-wide parliamentary elections will be 
held later that year; 
Whereas Qatar and the United States signed a Trade and In-
vestment Framework Agreement in March 2004; 
Whereas, in June 2004, Qatar hosted a gathering of more 
than 100 civil society activists, professors, journalists,
•HRES 751 IH 
damental freedoms in some Middle Eastern countries, the 
overall trends in the region are cause for concern.’’; 
Whereas the Department of State report further states: ‘‘The 
United States continues in its private and public diplo-
macy efforts to support political reform, economic growth 
and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms 
in the Middle East. To reinforce our diplomatic efforts, 
the United States has also begun to sponsor programs 
that strengthen the role of independent journalists and 
trade unions, increase respect and safeguards for the rule 
of law, strengthen public participation in the political 
process, improve the status of women and promote a re-
gional dialogue on democracy for members of NGOs and 
governments.’’; 
Whereas the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) was 
created in 2002 to encourage reforms in Arab countries 
by strengthening Arab civil society, encouraging micro-
enterprise, expanding political participation, and pro-
moting the rights of women; 
Whereas, in 2003, President George W. Bush proposed the 
creation of a United States–Middle East Free Trade 
Area within a decade, by working with countries in the 
Middle East in graduated steps to increase trade and in-
vestment with the United States and the world economy 
and to assist those countries in implementing domestic 
reforms, instituting the rule of law, protecting private 
property rights, and creating a foundation for economic 
growth and prosperity; 
Whereas, in June 2004, at the G–8 Summit meeting in Sea 
Island, Georgia, Western and Arab officials participated 
in the unveiling of the ‘‘Broader Middle East Initiative’’, 
a multilateral development and reform plan aimed at fos-