Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 101 Part 1.djvu/741

 PUBLIC LAW 100-96—AUG. 18, 1987

101 STAT. 711

Public Law 100-96 100th Congress Joint Resolution To support a ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq war and a negotiated solution to the conflict.

Whereas the conflict between Iran and Iraq has resulted in more than 400,000 fatalities on both sides, including tens of thousands of adolescents since its beginning in September 1980; Whereas both sides have resorted to periodic attacks on the civilian population of the other country, including Iranian missile attacks on Baghdad and Iraqi Air Force bombing raids on Iranian population centers; Whereas more than 75,000 prisoners of war are being held on both sides; Whereas Iraq has resorted to the use of chemical weapons, in violation of its obligations under international law not to use such weapons; Whereas attacks on neutral shipping in the Persian Gulf threaten to limit the access of the United States and its allies to oil supplies from the region; Whereas Iranian troops continue to occupy Iraqi territory; Whereas the possibility of a decisive Iranian breakthrough cannot be precluded as long as the war continues; Whereas such a breakthrough would be destabilizing to a number of friendly countries in the region, which would be increasingly vulnerable as a result of an Iranian victory both to direct Iranian attacks and to Iranian sponsored subversion and terrorist activities; Whereas a continuation of the conflict will inevitably lead to tens of thousands of additional casualties, including large numbers of civilians; and Whereas the Iraqi Government has called for an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated solution to the conflict, including a withdrawal to the internationaly recognized border: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. CONSEQUENCES OF CONTINUATION OF IRAN-IRAQ WAR.

The Congress finds that continuation of the Iran-Iraq war— (1) would produce unacceptable levels of death and destruction which would be incompatible with the humanitarian concerns and values of the American people; and (2) could result in an Iranian breakthrough which would threaten the stability of the entire region and would not be in the strategic interests of the United States. SEC. 2. SUPPORT FOR A CEASEFIRE AND A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT.

Accordingly, the policy of the United States Government shall be to support—

Aug. 18, 1987 [H.J. Res. 216]

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