The Full Committee supports the Art. 125 process towards the establishment of a province in the Nineveh Plain. Policy submitted by Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), received Full Committee support, asserting:
"The Committee continues to recognize the importance of providing targeted assistance to ethno-religious minorities in Iraq to help ensure their continued survival, especially those living in the Ninevah Plains region. The Committee directs the Department of State to submit a report, not later than 90 days after enactment of this act, detailing U.S. efforts to help these communities, including assistance consistent with Article 125 of the Iraqi Constitution; assistance in building an indigenous community police force in the Ninevah Plains; and efforts to support NGOs in the region."
The legislation details policy consistent with the three pillars of the “Nineveh Plain Province Solution” (NPPS) which calls for support for the formation of a Nineveh Plain Province through Art. 125 of the Iraqi Constitution, expansion and resources for the nascent local police force in the Nineveh Plain, and development assistance delivered by independent NGOs.
Legislation in the Senate builds on the substance and spirit of the legislation advanced in the House of Representatives and supported by numerous Representatives. The language proposed by Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Gary Peters (D-MI) made it possible to enhance the profile of the Assyrians
