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HR 5925 IH

To establish a fund to support international efforts for political reconciliation in Iraq, and for other purposes.

April 29, 2008

Ms. WOOLSEY (for herself and Mr. SHAYS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

To establish a fund to support international efforts for political reconciliation in Iraq, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `International Partnership for Reconciliation in Iraq Act of 2008'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND SENSE OF CONGRESS.

(a) Findings- Congress finds the following:

(1) The bipartisan Iraq Study Group report found that `national reconciliation is essential to reduce further violence and maintain the unity of Iraq'.

(2) The bipartisan Iraq Study Group report recommended that diplomats work to `energize countries to support national political reconciliation in Iraq'.

(3) The January 2007 National Security Council report, entitled the Iraq Strategy Review, set an objective to `foster the conditions for Iraqi national reconciliation, but with the Iraqi government clearly in the lead'.

(4) United States Ambassador Ryan Crocker, in testimony to Congress on September 10, 2007, noted that the United States `will continue our efforts to assist Iraqis in the pursuit of national reconciliation'.

(5) In 2006, the Iraqi Government announced the creation of the National Council for the Reconciliation.

(b) Sense of Congress- Congress--

(1) strongly supports reconciliation efforts within Iraq; and

(2) strongly supports the creation of an Iraqi-supported international commitment to reconciliation in Iraq and a safe and secure future for the Iraqi people.

SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS FOR POLITICAL RECONCILIATION IN IRAQ.

(a) Purpose of Assistance- The purpose of assistance under this section is to support international efforts to encourage peaceful and positive contact, dialogue, and reconciliation among the Iraqi people.

(b) Authorization of Assistance- The President of the United States Institute of Peace is authorized to provide assistance to carry out the purpose of subsection (a).

(c) Activities Supported- Activities that may be supported by assistance under subsection (b) include--

(1) preventing violent conflicts in Iraq;

(2) promoting post-conflict stability and development in Iraq;

(3) increasing conflict management capacity, tools, and intellectual capital within Iraq;

(4) promoting tolerance and forgiveness; and

(5) facilitating dialogue in the region.

(d) Authorization of Appropriations-

(1) IN GENERAL- To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President of the United States Institute of Peace $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

(2) OTHER PROVISIONS- Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under paragraph (1)--

(A) may be referred to as the `Political Reconciliation in Iraq Fund'; and

(B) are authorized to remain available until expended.