[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 24 Engrossed in House (EH)]


  1st Session

                            H. CON. RES. 24

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing congressional opposition to the unilateral declaration of a 
  Palestinian state and urging the President to assert clearly United 
    States opposition to such a unilateral declaration of statehood.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 24

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas at the heart of the Oslo peace process lies the basic, irrevocable 
        commitment made by Palestinian Chairman Yasir Arafat that, in his words, 
        ``all outstanding issues relating to permanent status will be resolved 
        through negotiations'';
Whereas resolving the political status of the territory controlled by the 
        Palestinian Authority while ensuring Israel's security is one of the 
        central issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;
Whereas a declaration of statehood by the Palestinians outside the framework of 
        negotiations would, therefore, constitute a most fundamental violation 
        of the Oslo process;
Whereas Yasir Arafat and other Palestinian leaders have repeatedly threatened to 
        declare unilaterally the establishment of a Palestinian state;
Whereas the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state would introduce a 
        dramatically destabilizing element into the Middle East, risking Israeli 
        countermeasures, a quick descent into violence, and an end to the entire 
        peace process; and
Whereas, in light of continuing statements by Palestinian leaders, United States 
        opposition to any unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood should 
        be made clear and unambiguous: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) the final political status of the territory controlled 
        by the Palestinian Authority can only be determined through 
        negotiations and agreement between Israel and the Palestinian 
        Authority;
            (2) any attempt to establish Palestinian statehood outside 
        the negotiating process will invoke the strongest congressional 
        opposition; and
            (3) the President should unequivocally assert United States 
        opposition to the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian 
        state, making clear that such a declaration would be a grievous 
        violation of the Oslo accords and that a declared state would 
        not be recognized by the United States.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 16, 1999.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.