syria joint resolution for markup- comments

7/29/2019 Syria Joint Resolution for Markup- Comments

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SYRIA JOINT RESOLUTION FOR MARKUP

JOINT RESOLUTION

To authorize the limited and tailored use of the United States Armed Forces against Syria.****Yeah right, Im sure it will be quick and limited. After all how many

people could be killed from tiny little missiles.

Whereas Syria is in material breach of the laws of war by having employed chemical weapons against itscivilian population;

Whereas the abuses of the regime of Bashar Assad have included the brutal repression and war upon itsown civilian population, resulting in more than 100,000 people killed in the past two years, and more than2 million internally displaced people and Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq, creatingan unprecedented regional crisis and instability;

Whereas the Assad regime has the largest chemical weapons programs in the region and hasdemonstrated its capability and willingness to repeatedly use weapons of mass destruction against its

own people, including the Aug. 21, 2013, attack in the suburbs of Damascus in which the Assad regimemurdered over 1,000 innocent people, including hundreds of children;

Whereas there is clear and compelling evidence of the direct involvement of Assad regime forces andsenior officials in the planning, execution, and after-action attempts to cover-up the Aug. 21 attack, andhide or destroy evidence of such attack;

Whereas the Arab League has declared with regards to the Aug. 21 incident to hold the "Syrian regimeresponsible for this heinous crime";

Whereas the United Nations Security Council, in Resolution 1540 (2004) affirmed that the proliferation ofnuclear, chemical, and biological weapons constitutes a threat to international peace and security;

DO NOT BE FOOLED, The United Nations has many other ways to resolve issues orForce governments to comply, such as Sanctions. The same treatment we have in

Cuba, boycotting, not allowing them to be in Free Trade Agreements, etc.

The UNITED NATIONS does NOT support War

Read it for yourselves:

Resolution 1540 (2004) imposes binding obligations on all States to adopt legislation to prevent the proliferation ofnuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and their means of delivery, and establish appropriate domestic controlsover related materials to prevent their illicit trafficking. It also encourages enhanced international cooperation on suchefforts. The resolution affirms support for the multilateral treaties whose aim is to eliminate or prevent the proliferationof WMDs and the importance for all States to implement them fully; it reiterates that none of the obligations in

resolution 1540 (2004) shall conflict with or alter the rights and obligations of States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Chemical Weapons Convention, or the Biological Weapons Convention or alterthe responsibilities of the IAEA and OPCW

What does UNSCR 1540 (2004) require from States?

Resolution 1540, was extended by Resolution 1977 until 2021

Resolution 1540 (2004) requires States, in accordance with their national procedures, to adopt and enforceappropriate effective laws that prohibit any non-State actor to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport,


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transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery, in particular for terroristpurposes, as well as attempts to engage in any of the foregoing activities, participate in them as an accomplice,assist or finance them.

The resolution also requires States to take and enforce effective measures to establish domestic controls to preventthe proliferation of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons and their means of delivery, including by establishingappropriate controls over related materials in theareas of accounting/securing, physical protection, border and law

enforcement, export and transshipment.This does not read, lets go to WAR, butwhy is that always the solution??

(a) Develop and maintain appropriate effective measures to account for and secure such items in production, use,storage or transport;

(b) Develop and maintain appropriate effective physical protection measures;

(c) Develop and maintain appropriate effective border controls and law enforcement efforts to detect, deter, preventand combat, including through international cooperation when necessary, the illicit trafficking and brokering in suchitems in accordance with their national legal authorities and legislation and consistent with international law;

(d) Establish, develop, review and maintain appropriate effective national export and trans-shipment controls oversuch items, including appropriate laws and regulations to control export, transit, trans-shipment and re-export andcontrols on providing funds and services related to such export and trans-shipment such as financing, andtransporting that would contribute to proliferation, as well as establishing end-user controls; and establishing andenforcing appropriate criminal or civil penalties for violations of such export control laws and regulations.

Whereas in the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003, Congress foundthat Syria's acquisition of weapons of mass destruction threatens the security of the Middle East and thenational security interests of the United States;

Whereas the actions and conduct of the Assad regime are in direct contravention of Syria's legalobligations under the United Nations Charter, the Geneva Conventions, and the Geneva Protocol to theHague Convention on the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or other Gases, andof Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, and also violates standards set forth in the Chemical Weapons

Convention;http://www.nti.org/treaties-and-regimes/protocol-prohibition-use-war-asphyxiating-

poisonous-or-other-gasses-and-bacteriological-methods-warfare-geneva-protocol/ Look this up.

Compliance is voluntary.While it prohibits the use of such weapons,

it does not prohibit their production, development, and

stockpiling, gaps covered by later treaties. They need to cite the

right treaties.

Whereas Syria's use of weapons of mass destruction and its conduct and actions constitute a gravethreat to regional stability, world peace and the national security interests of the United States and itsallies and partners;

Whereas the objectives of the United States use of military force in connection with this authorization areto respond to the use, and deter and degrade the potential future use of weapons of mass destruction by

the Syrian government; Lets solve problems by killing more people. That

makes sense

Whereas the conflict in Syria will only be resolved through a negotiated political settlement, andCongress calls on all parties to the conflict in Syria to participate urgently and constructively in theGeneva process; and Wow, political settlement, ok I like this.
http://www.nti.org/treaties-and-regimes/protocol-prohibition-use-war-asphyxiating-poisonous-or-other-gasses-and-bacteriological-methods-warfare-geneva-protocol/http://www.nti.org/treaties-and-regimes/protocol-prohibition-use-war-asphyxiating-poisonous-or-other-gasses-and-bacteriological-methods-warfare-geneva-protocol/http://www.nti.org/treaties-and-regimes/protocol-prohibition-use-war-asphyxiating-poisonous-or-other-gasses-and-bacteriological-methods-warfare-geneva-protocol/http://www.nti.org/treaties-and-regimes/protocol-prohibition-use-war-asphyxiating-poisonous-or-other-gasses-and-bacteriological-methods-warfare-geneva-protocol/http://www.nti.org/treaties-and-regimes/protocol-prohibition-use-war-asphyxiating-poisonous-or-other-gasses-and-bacteriological-methods-warfare-geneva-protocol/


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Whereas the president has authority under the Constitution to use force in order to defend the national

security interests of the United States: Why? Out of all the countries in the

World, ours is always threaten,we have not been attacked. Why

are we the World Police. Why do our soldiers have to die to show

that we have the power.

Now, therefore, be it,

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congressassembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This joint resolution may be cited as the "Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against the

Government of Syria to Respond to Use of Chemical Weapons." This does not Specify

what they will do or for how long. Therefore we could be in this

for a good 5 years. Looking for Weapons of Mass Destruction

AGAIN. Great!

SECTION 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

(a) AUTHORIZATION -- The president is authorized, subject to subSection (b) to use the Armed Forcesof the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in a limited and tailored manneragainst legitimate military targets in Syria (I WANT TO KNOW THE DEFINITION OF THIS,

limited and tailored manner), only to: (1) respond (Bring Missiles in and War)to the use of

weapons of mass destruction by the Syrian government in the conflict in Syria; (2) deter (Kill people inpower the innocent that live around the area) Syria's use of such weapons in order to protect the nationalsecurity interests of the United States and to protect our allies and partners against the use of suchweapons; and (3) degrade (show them whos the World Police and our POWER) Syria's capacity to usesuch weapons in the future.

(b) REQUIREMENT FOR DETERMINATION THAT USE OF MILITARY FORCE IS NECESSARY --Before exercising the authority granted in subSection (a), the president shall make available to thespeaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate his determinationthat --

(1) the United States has used all appropriate diplomatic and other peaceful means to prevent thedeployment and use of weapons of mass destruction by Syria; HAVE THEY?? I Want to hear more onthis.

(2) the Syrian government has conducted one or more significant chemical weapons attacks; Not againstthe US.

(3) the use of military force is necessary to respond to the use of chemical weapons by the Syriangovernment; Is it Necessary, or is this the country being pressured

(4) it is in the core national security interest of the United States to use such military force; We had notbeen threaten until there was talk of the US going into Syrianow if we go in, we have been warned byAssad to prepare for everything. Greatwell at least we know what we are walking into.

(5) the United States has a military plan to achieve the specific goals of responding to the use of weapons(I want to know this plan, in full scope, oops, thats classified information) of mass destruction by the


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Syrian government in the conflict in Syria, to deter Syria's use of such weapons in order to protect thenational security interests of the United States and to protect our allies (who are our allies, who is helpingthe US?) and partners against the use of such weapons, and to degrade Syria's capacity to use suchweapons in the future; and

(6) the use of military force is consistent with and furthers the goals of the United States strategy toward

Syria, including achieving a negotiated political settlement to the conflict. Oh, this is how we negotiate.We kill people, I understand know.

(c) WAR POWERS RESOLUTION REQUIREMENTS --

(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION -- Consistent with Section 8(a)(1) of the War PowersResolution, 50 U.S.C. 1541, et seq., the Congress declares that this Section is intended to constitutespecific statutory authorization within the meaning of Section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution, withinthe limits of the authorization established under this Section. For your personal knowledge, read up onthe War Powers Resolution. That way we know who to blame, after we go to war, Congress, thepresident. Here is the ironic part, WE the United States used Weapons of Mass Destruction during theVietnam War, YES, we used Agent Orange. Anyway the War Powers Resolution was passed right after

that.http://loc.gov/law/help/war-powers.php

(2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS -- Nothing in this resolution supersedes anyrequirement of the War Powers Resolution.

SECTION 3. LIMITATION. The authority granted in Section 2 does not authorize the use of the UnitedStates Armed Forces on the ground in Syria for the purpose of combat operations. Ok this might be good.But we have missiles. Hooray!

SECTION 4. TERMINATION OF THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF UNITED STATES ARMEDFORCES.

The authorization in Section 2(a) shall terminate 60 days after the date of the enactment of this joint

resolution, Oh GOOD 60 DAYS AND IS ALL OVER

oh wait lets keep readingexcept that the presidentmay extend, for a single period of 30 days, such authorization if --

(1) the president determines and certifies to Congress, not later than 5 days before the date oftermination of the initial authorization, that the extension is necessary to fulfill the purposes of thisresolution as defined by Section 2(a) due to extraordinary circumstances and for ongoing and impendingmilitary operations against Syria under Section 2(a); and

(2) Congress does not enact into law, before the extension of authorization, a joint resolutiondisapproving the extension of the authorization for the additional 30 day period; provided that any such

joint resolution shall be considered under the expedited procedures otherwise provided for concurrentresolutions of disapproval contained in Section 7 of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1546).

SECTION 5. SYRIA STRATEGY.

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this resolution, the President shall consult withCongress and submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee onForeign Affairs of the House of Representatives an integrated United States Government strategy forachieving a negotiated political settlement to the conflict in Syria, including a comprehensive review ofcurrent and planned U.S. diplomatic, political, economic, and military policy towards Syria, including: (1)the provision of all forms of assistance to the Syrian Supreme Military Council and other Syrian entitiesopposed to the government of Bashar Assad that have been properly and fully vetted and share common
http://loc.gov/law/help/war-powers.phphttp://loc.gov/law/help/war-powers.phphttp://loc.gov/law/help/war-powers.phphttp://loc.gov/law/help/war-powers.php


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values and interests with the United States; (2) the provision of all forms of assistance to the Syrianpolitical opposition, including the Syrian Opposition Coalition; (3) efforts to isolate extremist and terroristgroups in Syria to prevent their influence on the future transitional and permanent Syrian governments;(4) coordination with allies and partners; and (5) efforts to limit support from the government of Iran andothers for the Syrian regime.

SECTION 6. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION AND REPORTING.

(a) Notification and Provision of Information. Upon his determination to use the authority set forth inSection 2 of this Act, the President shall notify Congress, including the Senate Foreign RelationsCommittee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, of the use of such authority and shall keepCongress fully and currently informed of the use of such authority.

(b) Reports. No fewer than 10 days after the initiation of military operations under the authority providedby Section 2, and every 20 days thereafter until the completion of military operations, the President shallsubmit to the Congress, including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign AffairsCommittee, a report on the status of such operations, including progress achieved toward the objectivesspecified in Section 2(a), the financial costs of operations to date, and an assessment of the impact of theoperations on the Syrian regime's chemical weapons capabilities and intentions. Well, at least we get

reports on what is being resolved.

SECTION 7. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. The authority set forth in Section 2 of this resolution shall notconstitute an authorization for the use of force or a declaration of war except to the extent that itauthorizes military action under the conditions, for the specific purposes, and for the limited period of timeset forth in this resolution. Dont get me wrong, some parts written here, seem to make sense, as if wewere really going to resolve matters in 60-90 days. But I fear that once we are in there and achievenothing in 90 days, there will be further pressure to continue and new resolutions passed to be able tostay in Syria and keep working on the goal, of Responding, Deterring, and Degrading to reach a politicalagreement.

I do not have much knowledge about political matters, war, resolutions, etc. But the little that I

know I wanted to share. Or rather, put this on paper to encourage people to do their own research

and realize where we may be headed. Whether you are against this action or support it forwhatever personal believes or reasons, thats fine. I just ask that you be informed, prior to

supporting it or going against it.

I hope you were not too bored with the reading. Forgive me for any grammatical errors. I did this

real fast out of a personal impulse to learn about this and voice my concerns.

Read more:http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/09/04/Text-of-Senate-Foreign-Relations-resolution-

on-Syria/UPI-36871378267500/#ixzz2ePsvqx7e
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/09/04/Text-of-Senate-Foreign-Relations-resolution-on-Syria/UPI-36871378267500/#ixzz2ePsvqx7ehttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/09/04/Text-of-Senate-Foreign-Relations-resolution-on-Syria/UPI-36871378267500/#ixzz2ePsvqx7ehttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/09/04/Text-of-Senate-Foreign-Relations-resolution-on-Syria/UPI-36871378267500/#ixzz2ePsvqx7ehttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/09/04/Text-of-Senate-Foreign-Relations-resolution-on-Syria/UPI-36871378267500/#ixzz2ePsvqx7ehttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/09/04/Text-of-Senate-Foreign-Relations-resolution-on-Syria/UPI-36871378267500/#ixzz2ePsvqx7ehttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/09/04/Text-of-Senate-Foreign-Relations-resolution-on-Syria/UPI-36871378267500/#ixzz2ePsvqx7e

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