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Campbell Bill to Begin Peace Process in Afghanistan Passes House Committee

Press Release

 Today, the House International Relations Committee passed a bill by Congressman Tom Campbell (R-CA) -- H.Con.Res. 414 -- calling on the former King of Afghanistan and other responsible parties searching for peace to convene a "Loya Jirgah" to reestablish a representative government in Afghanistan. A "Loya Jirgah," or Grand Assembly, is a traditional means of selecting, respecting and implementing the decisions of Afghan leaders. Congressman Campbell believes that this process may be the best way to begin a peace dialogue among the warring factions, and had this to say about his proposed policy:

Since the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in 1979, and particularly since the Taliban came to power in 1996, Afghanistan has become a non-state and haven for terrorism, drug production and human rights abuses -- especially against women and children. The former King of Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir Shah, is willing to convene an emergency "Loya Jirgah" to bring stability and representative government to Afghanistan, with no desire to return to power or reestablish a monarchy. The State Department supports the efforts of Zahir Shah to convene a "Loya Jirgah," and I believe it is essential to place the U.S. Congress on record in support of such a peace process in a land where hope has lost its way. 

To those who are concerned that Zahir Shah may want to return himself or his family to power, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Karl F. Inderfurth, advised the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 20, 2000, that he has "offered his prestige as elder statesman to this process in an attempt to restore peace to his shattered homeland, but we see no evidence that he or his colleagues seek to revive the monarchy. Rather, Loya Jirgah is a leadership forum where all speak their minds freely and come to a political consensus. It is the traditional process Afghans have used for centuries to achieve resolution to crises in their land."

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are scheduled to consider H.Con.Res. 414 next week. "I am confident the resolution will pass both chambers," concluded Campbell.

Text of Bill:

106th CONGRESS
2d Session

H. CON. RES. 411 Relating to the reestablishment of representative government in Afghanistan.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 27, 2000 Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. PITTS, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. ROYCE, and Mr. BEREUTER) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Relating to the reestablishment of representative government in Afghanistan.

Whereas Afghanistan has existed as a sovereign nation since 1747, maintaining its independence, neutrality, and dignity;

Whereas Afghanistan had maintained its own decisionmaking through a traditional process called a `Loya Jirgah', or Grand Assembly, by selecting, respecting, and following the decisions of their leaders;

Whereas recently warlords, factional leaders, and foreign regimes have laid siege to Afghanistan, leaving the landscape littered with landmines, making the most fundamental activities dangerous;

Whereas in recent years Afghanistan has become a haven for terrorist activity, has produced most of the world's opium supply, and has become infamous for its human rights abuses, particularly abuses against women and children;

Whereas the former King of Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir Shah, ruled the country peacefully for 40 years, and after years in exile retains his popularity and support; and

Whereas former King Mohammed Zahir Shah plans to convene an emergency `Loya Jirgah' to reestablish a stable government, with no desire to regain power or reestablish a monarchy, and the Department of State supports such ongoing efforts: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the United States--

1. supports the right of the people of Afghanistan to determine their own destiny through the traditional Afghan `Loya Jirgah' process; and
2. supports the continuing efforts of former King Mohammed Zahir Shah and other responsible parties searching for peace to convene a Loya Jirgah--
   1. to reestablish a representative government in Afghanistan through institution building, increasing the capacity of the people of Afghanistan to govern themselves;
   2. to bring stability to Afghanistan; and
   3. to end terrorist activities and human rights abuses in Afghanistan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jackie Corcoran 202-225-2631

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