[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 143 Agreed to House (ATH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 143

     Expressing the sense of the Congress concerning the historic 
               opportunity for peace in the Middle East.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 14, 1993

   Mr. Hamilton (for himself and Mr. Gilman) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

                           September 14, 1993

         Considered under suspension of the rules and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
     Expressing the sense of the Congress concerning the historic 
               opportunity for peace in the Middle East.

Whereas the conflict in the Middle East has caused untold suffering for many 
        decades;
Whereas the people of the State of Israel have the right to live in peace within 
        secure and recognized borders;
Whereas successive administrations of the United States Government have worked 
        diligently to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East;
Whereas under the leadership of President Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Begin 
        and Egyptian President Sadat signed the historic Camp David Accords of 
        1978;
Whereas under the leadership of President Bush, a dialogue among the parties to 
        the Middle East conflict was initiated at Madrid in October 1991;
Whereas this dialogue was continued through the strong and constructive efforts 
        of President Clinton and his administration;
Whereas the Government of Norway, through its Foreign Minister, played an 
        instrumental role in facilitating the negotiations that led to the 
        signing of the Declaration of Principles between Israel and the 
        Palestine Liberation Organization;
Whereas the Palestine Liberation Organization has recognized the right of the 
        State of Israel to exist in peace and security, announced that it 
        renounces terrorism and other acts of violence, and agreed to amend its 
        charter to delete all references to the destruction of the State of 
        Israel;
Whereas the State of Israel has recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization 
        as the representative of the Palestinian people;
Whereas Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization have agreed to a 
        Declaration of Principles concerning an interim period of limited 
        autonomy for Palestinians on the West Bank and in Gaza; and
Whereas many difficult issues remain to be resolved in future discussions: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) supports the agreement between Israel and the Palestine 
        Liberation Organization, and hopes it will serve as an historic 
        opportunity to move toward a comprehensive and lasting peace in 
        the Middle East;
            (2) applauds the efforts of the Clinton administration to 
        facilitate these developments;
            (3) welcomes the decision of the Palestine Liberation 
        Organization to recognize the State of Israel and to renounce 
        terrorism and other acts of violence and accept the path of 
        peaceful coexistence;
            (4) welcomes the decision of the State of Israel to enter 
        into this Declaration of Principles, and reaffirms its 
        commitment to helping assure the continued security of the 
        State of Israel;
            (5) commends all those who have worked diligently to 
        achieve these accords;
            (6) encourages all parties to the Middle East peace process 
        to continue to work vigorously in the pursuit of a 
        comprehensive peace for the region; and
            (7) endorses continuing United States engagement in the 
        peace process, and is committed to supporting efforts to make 
        this agreement a success.

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