Benjamin Gilman: “I strongly endorse H. Con. Res. 414, legislation that expresses the sense of Congress that the United States supports…”

“I strongly endorse H. Con. Res. 414, legislation that expresses the sense of Congress that the United States supports the former Afghan king, Mohammed Zahir Shah's, initiative to convene an emergency Loya Jirgah, a Grand Assembly, to establish a democratic government in Afghanistan. During the times of Afghan national crises, it is traditional to hold a Grand Assembly to democratically consider means and methods to tackle significant problems. The power behind the Loya Jirgah is its assurance that all groups within Afghanistan will be equally represented in a historic effort to resolve the crisis at hand. As the Taliban has extended its sway over Afghanistan, it has grown increasingly extremist and anti-Western, with its leaders proclaiming that virtually every aspect of Western culture violates their version of Islam. In addition to restrictions against women, such as barring them from holding jobs or traveling unaccompanied by a male relative, ancient and cruel forms of punishment, such as stoning, have been revived. The Taliban also continues to give refuge to Osama bin Laden, the Saudi terrorist who plots against American citizens and who may have been responsible for the bombing of the destroyer U.S.S. Cole.”