FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 20, 2006LARSON: U.S. MUST STAND WITH IRAQI PRIME MINISTER�S OPPOSITION TO INSURGENT AMNESTY
Urges rejection of Iraqi Speaker�s anti-Semitic remarksWASHINGTON, DC � U.S. Representative John B. Larson (CT-1) today continued efforts to ensure that Iraqi insurgents who attacked, kidnapped, wounded, or killed member of the Armed Services or American citizens are not awarded amnesty. Larson introduced H.J.Res. 90 to declare that the United States opposes such a policy. The bill currently has 67 cosponsors.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is scheduled to visit the United States to meet with President Bush and address a joint session of the U.S. Congress. While Prime Minister Maliki has stated that �there will be no amnesty for those who have killed Americans,� the proposed Iraqi national reconciliation plan and other Iraqi officials remain vague on this subject.
In a letter to Prime Minister Maliki, Larson encouraged him to make clear his opposition to amnesty during his visit to the United States. Larson also called on Prime Minister Maliki to reject the statement of Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani who accused �Jews� of financing acts of violence in Iraq to gain influence in the government.
Larson stated, �I am sure you agree that we must focus our efforts on eliminating the hate that fuels terrorism and work to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and that we must start by repudiating unfounded and hateful remarks such as these.�
Larson also wrote to President Bush encouraging him to publicly express his support for Prime Minister Maliki�s statements rejecting amnesty and renouncing the statements of Mr. Mashhadini.
Finally, Larson wrote to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (IL-14) and Majority Leader John Boehner (OH-8) urging them to bring H.J. Res. 90 up for a vote before the House of Representatives during the time period the Prime Minister will be in the United States.
�By passing this resolution next week during the Prime Minister�s visit, we can send a clear and unequivocal message that our nation stands with him in opposing amnesty for those who have killed Americans,� stated Larson. �This would be a simple, yet resounding, message for both our troops and the Iraqi people.�
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The full text of the letters can be found http://www.house.gov/larson/amnesty.htm
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