Condemning actions by the Government of Syria that have hindered the investigation of the assassination of former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri conducted by the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC), expressing support for extending the UNIIIC's investigative mandate, and stating concern about similar assassination attempts apparently aimed at destabilizing Lebanon's security and undermining Lebanon's sovereignty.

Bill: 109-hres-598
Sponsor: Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-49]
Introduced: 2005-12-14 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Assassination
Commemorations
Congress
Congressional tributes
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal investigation
Democracy
Economic development
Economics and Public Finance
Evidence (Law)
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign leaders
Government Operations and Politics
International agencies
International cooperation
Jurisdiction
Law
Lebanon
Middle East and North Africa
Sanctions (International law)
Syria
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2005-12-14
text: 
Condemns the government of Syria for hindering and failing to cooperate with the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission's (UNIIIC) investigation of former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri's assassination. 
 
Supports extending UNIIIC's investigative mandate for at least six months.
 
 States that insecurity in Lebanon could have a destabilizing effect on the region and harm Lebanon's strengthening of democracy and economic prosperity. 
 
Expresses gratitude to: (1) chief investigator Detlev Mehlis and UNIIIC for their continuing efforts to uncover evidence about Rafik Hariri's assassination; and (2) those who have freely assisted the UNIIIC investigation.
 
 Demands that Syria commit itself to fulfill all obligations with UNIIIC and with U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1595, and 1636. 
 
Encourages the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use U.S. influence in the U.N. Security Council to advocate for the application of punitive measures and sanctions against Syria that target its leadership if Syria fails to cooperate fully with the UNIIIC investigation and continues to violate Resolutions 1559, 1595, and 1636. 
 
Urges the U.S. government to support UNIIIC's extension of jurisdiction to include assassinations and assassination attempts in Lebanon since February 14, 2005. 

action_date: 2005-12-16
text: 
Condemns the government of Syria for hindering and failing to cooperate with the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission's (UNIIIC) investigation of former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri's assassination. 
 
Supports extending UNIIIC's investigative mandate for at least six months.
 
 States that insecurity in Lebanon could have a destabilizing effect on the region and harm Lebanon's strengthening of democracy and economic prosperity. 
 
Expresses gratitude to: (1) chief investigator Detlev Mehlis and UNIIIC for their continuing efforts to uncover evidence about Rafik Hariri's assassination; and (2) those who have freely assisted the UNIIIC investigation.
 
 Demands that Syria commit itself to fulfill all obligations with UNIIIC and with U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1595, and 1636. 
 
Encourages the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use U.S. influence in the U.N. Security Council to advocate for the application of punitive measures and sanctions against Syria that target its leadership if Syria fails to cooperate fully with the UNIIIC investigation and continues to violate Resolutions 1559, 1595, and 1636. 
 
Urges the U.S. government to support UNIIIC's extension of jurisdiction to include assassinations and assassination attempts in Lebanon since October 1, 2004. 
 
 Urges the President to implement further measures against the Syrian leadership in accordance with the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-175), particularly if Syria fails to cooperate fully with the ongoing UNIIIC investigation and continues to violate Resolutions 1559, 1595, and 1636.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 5, 1 Present (Roll no. 662). (text: CR 12/14/2005 S11644-11645)
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 5, 1 Present (Roll no. 662).(text: CR 12/14/2005 S11644-11645)
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H12014-12015)
action_date: 2005-12-14
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2005-12-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 598.
action_date: 2005-12-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H11644-11649)
action_date: 2005-12-14
text: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2005-12-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2005-12-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-12-14
text: Introduced in House