[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 478 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 478

   Urging a return to the principles outlined in the ``Road Map for 
Peace'' as a viable framework for achieving a peaceful solution in the 
                              Middle East.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 8, 2003

   Ms. Berkley (for herself and Mr. Weiner) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Urging a return to the principles outlined in the ``Road Map for 
Peace'' as a viable framework for achieving a peaceful solution in the 
                              Middle East.

Whereas the Government and people of the State of Israel have been engaged in a 
        3 year struggle against violence and terrorism;
Whereas Congress and the President have, on numerous occasions, stated that the 
        United States stands side-by-side with Israel in the struggle against 
        terrorism;
Whereas this struggle has consumed countless lives on both sides;
Whereas ending the violence, terror, and bloodshed that have devastated Israel 
        and the Palestinian people since September 2000 is vital to the 
        interests of the United States, Israel, and the Palestinian people;
Whereas the worldwide community, including the United States, the Russian 
        Federation, and the European Union, worked to successfully develop the 
        Middle East ``Road Map for Peace'' as a performance-based solution to 
        the Middle East Peace process;
Whereas both the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed, 
        in principle, to the Road Map for Peace as a framework for achieving a 
        secure, just, and lasting peace in the region;
Whereas Congress has recognized that ``Palestinian organizations are engaging in 
        an organized, systematic, and deliberate campaign of terror'';
Whereas in his address on June 24, 2002, the President outlined steps for a 
        successful resolution to the Middle Eastern conflict--steps that became 
        the foundation for the Middle East Road Map for Peace;
Whereas a group of private citizens, led by Yossi Beilin and Yasser Abed Rabbo, 
        who met without the approval of the Israeli Government, negotiated an 
        unofficial Middle East peace plan, the Geneva Accord, that compromises 
        the principles of the Middle East Road Map for Peace; and
Whereas on December 5, 2003, Secretary of State Powell met with the group of 
        Israelis and Palestinians who drafted the Geneva Accord: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses strong concern regarding the recent signing 
        of the Geneva Accord as well as the recent meeting of State 
        Department officials with the authors of this document;
            (2) notes that this document was not signed by a single 
        elected official from either the State of Israel or the 
        Palestinian Authority and therefore it is without any 
        governmental legitimacy;
            (3) remains committed to the principles outlined in the 
        Middle East ``Road Map for Peace'' as a performance-based 
        solution to the Middle East conflict and is concerned about the 
        potential undermining of this delicate process by the recently 
        signed Geneva Accord;
            (4) reaffirms its support for the principles outlined in 
        the President's speech of June 24, 2002, as a prerequisite for 
        peace, specifically--
                    (A) a new Palestinian leadership not tainted by 
                violence;
                    (B) an end to Palestinian violence and terror;
                    (C) an end to hateful incitement by Palestinian 
                leadership; and
                    (D) a dismantling of the terrorism infrastructure 
                by the Palestinian Authority;
            (5) strongly urges all parties in the region to vigorously 
        pursue efforts to establish a just, lasting, and comprehensive 
        peace in the Middle East; and
            (6) encourages both parties to return to the Middle East 
        Road Map for Peace and use that document as a framework for a 
        Middle East peace initiative.
                                 <all>