Affirming the historical relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Morocco, condemning the recent provocative actions of the Polisario Front and its foreign supporters, and encouraging efforts by the United Nations to reach a peaceful resolution of the Western Sahara conflict.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 223 Affirming the historical relationship between the United States and the King- dom of Morocco, condemning the recent provocative actions of the Polisario Front and its foreign supporters, and encouraging efforts by the United Nations to reach a peaceful resolution of the Western Sahara conflict. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 13, 2019 Mr. WILSON of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mr. YOHO, and Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Affirming the historical relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Morocco, condemning the recent provocative actions of the Polisario Front and its foreign supporters, and encouraging efforts by the United Nations to reach a peaceful resolution of the Western Sahara conflict. Whereas the Kingdom of Morocco was the first country to formally recognize the United States in 1777 and re- mains a strong ally and partner for peace in the Middle East and North Africa; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:32 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR223.IH HR223 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •HRES 223 IH Whereas the lack of resolution to conflict in the Western Sa- hara for more than 40 years inhibits the regional security and economic prosperity of North Africa; Whereas Morocco has long sought a resolution of the Western Sahara conflict through a negotiated process that creates autonomy for the region under Moroccan sovereignty; Whereas for over 10 years and across three Administrations, United States officials have characterized the proposal for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as both ‘‘seri- ous and credible’’; Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 2414 (2018), proposed and supported by the United States, criticized provocative actions by the Polisario Front in the Western Sahara territory and called for the ‘‘imme- diate withdrawal’’ of the Polisario Front from portions of the Western Sahara and for the group ‘‘to refrain from [any] destabilizing actions’’; Whereas, on May 1, 2018, Morocco announced it was sev- ering diplomatic ties with Iran due to its purported sup- port, along with that of the Lebanon-based Hezbollah mi- litia, for the Polisario Front; Whereas the Government of Iran has provided monetary and other forms of material support to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah; Whereas the United States has designated Hezbollah in its entirety as a foreign terrorist organization; Whereas the efforts of Iran and Hezbollah to maintain influ- ence in North Africa runs counter to the national secu- rity objectives of the United States; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:32 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR223.IH HR223 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •HRES 223 IH Whereas the United States has a significant national security interest in the stability and economic prosperity of North Africa: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) reaffirms its support for the Kingdom of 2 Morocco as our oldest ally and as a partner in com- 3 bating terrorism and promoting stability and pros- 4 perity in North Africa; 5 (2) condemns the provocative actions taken by 6 the Polisario Front in Western Sahara; 7 (3) condemns any action by the Government of 8 Iran or by Hezbollah that promotes instability in 9 North Africa; 10 (4) reaffirms that Morocco’s autonomy plan is 11 serious, realistic, and credible, and represents a path 12 forward to satisfy the aspirations of the people in 13 the Western Sahara to run their own affairs in 14 peace and dignity; and 15 (5) calls on President Trump, the Secretary of 16 State, and the Ambassador to the United Nations, 17 to assist the United Nations in supporting a peace- 18 ful agreement to the Western Sahara conflict that is 19 consistent with the United States position and will 20 be enduring and enforceable. 21 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:32 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR223.IH HR223 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS