S. RES. 32 - UN WEAPONS INSPECTORS

Introduced into the Senate on 29th of January 2003 by Mr. Kennedy (D-MA).

Co-sponsors: Mr. Byrd (D-WV).

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate on the actions the President should take prior to using military action against Iraq especially without wide international approval

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 32

Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to the actions the President should take before any use of military force against Iraq without the broad support of the international community.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 29, 2003
Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr. BYRD) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to the actions the President should take before any use of military force against Iraq without the broad support of the international community.

Whereas more than three months have passed, and circumstances have significantly changed, since Congress acted in October 2002 to authorize the use of military force against Iraq;

Whereas the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved Security Council Resolution 1441 (2002) requiring Iraq to cooperate with strict weapons inspections and give United Nations weapons inspectors `immediate, unimpeded, unconditional, and unrestricted access' to all suspected sites involving such weapons;

Whereas United Nations weapons inspectors arrived in Iraq on November 18, 2002, submitted their 60-day report to the Security Council about Iraq's cooperation with weapons inspections on January 27, 2003, and will report again on their activities on February 14, 2003;

Whereas the President has not yet made a compelling case to Congress, the American people, or the international community that the use of armed force is the only alternative to disarm Iraq; and

Whereas Congress and the American people are increasingly concerned that the President is prepared to use armed force against Iraq without broad support by the international community, and without making a compelling case that Iraq presents such an imminent threat to the national security of the United States that unilateral action is justified: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that, before the President uses military force against Iraq without the broad support of the international community, the President should--

(1) provide full support to the United Nations weapons inspectors to facilitate their ongoing disarmament work; and
(2) obtain approval by Congress of new legislation authorizing the President to use all necessary means, including the use of military force, to disarm Iraq.

Visit THOMAS to look up Bill Summary and Status