In Lebanon: "We need solutions, not recriminations."
author: Compiled by Burro
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"Mr. President, I have grave concerns about what the coming days hold for the situation in the Middle East. The spiral of violence, which began with the kidnaping of Israeli soldiers, is threatening to engulf the entire region. Unless something is done soon to stop the escalation, all out war -- the likes of which has not been seen in the Arab-Israeli conflict for decades -- could soon be upon us." ...
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Statement by Senator Byrd continues:
"The resolution before the Senate is not a voice of moderation. It is a resolution that proposes only to point fingers at who is to blame for the current violence. This is the wrong response to an international crisis and a humanitarian tragedy.
Does this resolution help the Americans who are stranded in Lebanon amidst this fighting? It does not. I fear that this resolution might, in fact, unleash a violent anti-American backlash at a time when the State Department and our Armed Forces are struggling to find a way to rescue our citizens. The Senate should have more sense than to rush to pass such a provocative resolution at this time.
Mr. President, now is the time for moderation and wise counsel. We need solutions, not recriminations. Why should the Senate pass a resolution, the only possible effect of which is to further entrench both sides of the current conflict? I cannot support a resolution that does not I have the practical effect of advancing us toward an end to this tragic violence."
 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/R?r109:FLD001:S57693
S. RES. 534
SUMMARY AS OF: 7/18/06
Reaffirms steadfast support for Israel.
Supports Israel's right of self-defense and its right to take appropriate action to deter aggression by terrorist groups and their state sponsors.
Urges the President to continue to fully support Israel in exercising its right of self-defense in Lebanon and Gaza.
Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldiers held captive by Hezbollah or Hamas.
Condemns the governments of Iran and Syria for their continued support for Hezbollah and Hamas and holds these governments responsible for the acts of aggression carried out by Hezbollah and Hamas against Israel.
Condemns Hamas and Hezbollah for exploiting civilian populations as shields and locating their military activities in civilian areas.
Urges the President to use all available political and diplomatic means, including sanctions, to persuade the governments of Syria and Iran to end their support of Hezbollah and Hamas.
Calls on the government of Lebanon to do everything in its power to free the kidnapped Israeli soldiers held in Lebanon and to fulfill its responsibility under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559 to disband and disarm Hezbollah.
Calls on the Security Council to: (1) condemn these unprovoked acts; and (2) demand compliance with Resolution 1559, which requires that Hezbollah and other militias be disbanded and disarmed and that all foreign forces leave Lebanon.
Urges all sides to protect innocent civilian life and infrastructure and strongly supports the use of all diplomatic means to free the captured Israeli soldiers.
Recognizes that thousands of American nationals reside peacefully in Lebanon and that those American nationals in Lebanon concerned for their safety should receive full U.S. government assistance.
COSPONSORS include Senators Biden, Clinton, Feinstein, Kennedy, McCain, Reid and Wyden.
7/18/2006 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice.
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H. RES. 921
BILL TITLE: Condemning the recent attacks against the State of Israel, holding terrorists and their state-sponsors accountable for such attacks, supporting Israel's right to defend itself, and for other purposes.
SUMMARY AS OF 7/20/06:
Reaffirms steadfast support for Israel.
Condemns Hamas and Hezbollah for: (1) engaging in unprovoked and reprehensible attacks against Israel on undisputed Israeli territory, for taking hostages, for killing Israeli soldiers, and for indiscriminately targeting Israeli civilian populations with rockets and missiles; and (2) exploiting civilian populations as shields, locating their equipment and bases of operation, including rockets and other armaments, amidst civilian populations, including in homes and mosques.
Recognizes Israel's commitment to minimizing civilian loss and welcomes Israel's efforts to prevent civilian casualties.
Demands that Iran and Syria direct Hamas and Hezbollah to immediately and unconditionally release the captive Israeli soldiers.
Affirms that all governments that have provided continued support to Hamas or Hezbollah share responsibility for the hostage-taking and attacks against Israel and should be held accountable for their actions.
Condemns the governments of Iran and Syria for their continued support for Hezbollah and Hamas in their attacks against Israelis and other terrorist activities.
Supports Israel's right to defend itself, including to conduct operations both in Israel and in the territory of threatening nations in accordance with international law, including Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Commends the President of the United States for fully supporting Israel as it responds to attacks by terrorist organizations and their state sponsors.
Urges the President to bring the full force of U.S. political, diplomatic, and economic sanctions against the governments Syria and Iran.
Demands that the government of Lebanon do everything in its power to free the kidnapped Israeli soldiers held in Lebanon.
Calls on the U.N. Security Council to: (1) condemn these unprovoked acts; and (2) ensure full implementation of Security Council 1559, which requires that Hezbollah be dismantled and all Syrian personnel and Iranian Revolutionary Guards leave Lebanon.
Expresses condolences to all families of innocent victims of recent violence.
Declares a continued commitment to working with Israel and other U.S. allies to fight terrorism.
THE VOTE:
Nays - 8
Abercrombie
Conyers
Dingell
Kilpatrick (MI)
McDermott
Paul
Rahall
Stark
Present - 4
Kaptur
Kucinich
Lee
Waters
Not Voting - 10
Davis (FL)
Davis, Jo Ann
Duncan
Evans
Fortenberry
McKinney
Northup
Nussle
Sanchez, Loretta
Westmoreland
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H. RES. 922
SUMMARY AS OF 7/18/06:
Declares unwavering support for Israel and affirms that as a sovereign state Israel is entitled to act appropriately in self-defense against Hezbollah, Hamas, and the states that support them.
Finds that the cross-border attacks and kidnappings by Hezbollah and Hamas constitute acts of international terrorism and aggression.
Endorses President George W. Bush's statements that: (1) "Israel has a right to defend herself. Every nation must defend herself against terrorist attacks and the killing of innocent life. It's a necessary part of the 21st century."; and (2) "If you really want the situation to settle down, the (Israeli) soldiers need to be returned."
Condemns in the strongest terms: (1) the criminal and terrorist acts of aggression against Israel and its armed forces; (2) the terrorist groups Hezbollah and Hamas; and (3) the primary state sponsors of global terrorism and the patrons of Hezbollah and Hamas, Iran and Syria.
Demands that Iran and Syria respect Lebanon's sovereignty and withdraw all military and security personnel from Lebanon and cease their support for international terrorism.
Calls upon the government of Lebanon to: (1) condemn Hezbollah's actions and make the utmost effort to facilitate the safe and unconditional return of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers; and (2) enforce its sovereignty throughout the country, maintain effective border control, and take immediate action to begin disarming all Lebanese militias.
Calls upon the international community to join with the United States in holding Iran and Syria accountable for their support for unprovoked terrorist aggression against Israel.
Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all the kidnapped Israeli soldiers.
Expresses deepest condolences to the families of all the innocent victims of the recent violence.
7/18/2006: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
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H. RES. 923
SUMMARY AS OF 7/18/06:
Condemns Hezbollah's despicable and shameful attacks against Israel, and demands that Hezbollah renounce the attacks.
Calls on the U.N. Security Council and all civilized nations to: (1) condemn and reject policies aimed at destroying Israel; and (2) deny Hezbollah, and any nation or organization, the means to carry out its threats against Israel.
Reaffirms the unwavering alliance between the United States and Israel and reasserts the U.S. commitment to defend Israel's right to exist as a free and democratic state.
7/18/2006: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
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H. RES. 926
SUMMARY AS OF 7/19/06:
Condemns Hamas and Hezbollah for engaging in the terrorist act of taking hostages.
Affirms Israel's right to conduct operations, both inside and outside its own borders and in the territory of countries supporting the hostage takers, in pursuit of the hostages' release.
Notes that all governments that have provided continued support to Hamas or Hezbollah share responsibility for the hostage taking and urges these countries to use all efforts to secure the hostages' unconditional release.
Urges all parties to protect innocent life and civilian infrastructure.
Declares continued commitment to aiding Israel and the administration of President George W. Bush in battling terrorism and securing the unconditional release of hostages.
Expresses condolences to all innocent victims of recent violence in Israel, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories and their families, including those of the three Israeli hostages.
7/19/2006: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
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