S.J.Res. 22 — Introduced in Senate

IIA 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. J. RES. 22 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 10, 2013Mr. Manchin (for himself and Ms. Heitkamp) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations JOINT RESOLUTION To promote a diplomatic solution in Syria, and for other purposes. Whereas the use of chemical weapons by the government of Bashar al-Assad against civilians in Syria, including on August 21, 2013, in the Damascus suburbs, is an abhorrent act and a serious violation of international norms and the laws of war; Whereas the goal of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, done at Paris January 13, 1993 (commonly known as the Chemical Weapons Convention), to eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, or use of chemical weapons by States Parties is in the interest of the United States and the international community; and Whereas it is in the national interest of the United States to exhaust all diplomatic options and to build a robust coalition of international partners to prevent the proliferation and use of chemical weapons in Syria: Now, therefore, be it 1. Title This joint resolution may be cited as the Chemical Weapons Control and Accountability Resolution of 2013. 2. Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States that— (1) the Government of Syria must become a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention and take concrete steps to comply with the terms and conditions of the Chemical Weapons Convention; (2) the failure by the government of Bashar al-Assad to sign and comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention clearly demonstrates a willful disregard of international norms on the use of chemical weapons; and (3) if the Government of Syria does not sign and comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention within 45 days after the date of the enactment of this resolution, all elements of national power will be considered by the United States Government. 3. Requirement for a Syria strategy and building an international coalition (a) In general Not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this resolution, the President shall submit to Congress a long-term strategy for Syria, while concurrently using all appropriate diplomatic tools to develop and secure commitments from the international community with the shared strategic interest of preventing the proliferation and use of Syria’s chemical weapons. (b) Elements of the Strategy The strategy required under subsection (a) shall include the following elements: (1) A statement of United States strategic goals in Syria. (2) Specific objectives and benchmarks to be accomplished and a desired endstate. (3) A comprehensive review of current and planned United States diplomatic, political, economic, and military policy toward Syria, including— (A) the provision of all forms of assistance to the Syrian Supreme Military Council and other Syrian entities opposed to the government of Bashar al-Assad that have been properly and fully vetted and share common values and interests with the United States; (B) the provision of all forms of assistance to the Syrian political opposition, including the Syrian Opposition Coalition; (C) efforts to isolate extremist and terrorist groups in Syria to prevent their influence on the future transitional and permanent Syrian governments; (D) security coordination with allies and regional partners including Israel, Jordan, and Turkey; (E) efforts to limit support from the Government of Iran and others for the Syrian regime; (F) planning for securing existing chemical, biological, and other weapons supplies; (G) efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian challenges presented by 2,000,000 Syrian refugees in neighboring countries, 4,500,000 internally displaced persons in Syria, and related humanitarian needs; and (H) efforts to develop and secure commitments from the international community to prevent the proliferation and use of chemical weapons in Syria. (c) Form The strategy required under subsection (a) may include a classified annex, if necessary.