[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 4 (Friday, January 28, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: January 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
STATEMENT OF SENATOR HATCH REGARDING HIS SENSE-OF-THE-SENATE RESOLUTION 
                        ON RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL

  At the request of Senator D'Amato, the following statement, and a 
sense-of-the-Senate resolution, were ordered to be printed in the 
Record:
 Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, this amendment is simple and 
straightforward. It urges the Department of State to request that 
recipients of American foreign assistance recognize Israel. I do not 
believe that the State Department has done enough to bring down the 
diplomatic walls that continue to isolate Israel, and it is my hope 
that this amendment serves as a catalyst for action.
  Israel has existed since May 1948, yet 49 countries have failed to 
recognize her legitimate right to exist. Of this number, 32 countries 
receive some form of assistance from the United States. These states 
are shown on the map. It is imperative that these countries in 
particular understand the importance that the United States attaches to 
its relationship with Israel.
  In fact, it is time that the international community treat Israel 
with the respect it deserves. Israel has existed for almost 46 years 
and is the most willing partner in the peace process. It should be 
commended rather than condemned and ignored by members of the 
international community.

  In 1992 alone, China and India both recognized Israel. I should point 
out that I am pleased that Madagascar, which is on this map, decided to 
establish diplomatic ties with Israel beginning yesterday. 
Unfortunately, a large number of states have failed to follow their 
lead.
  During the past 2 years, I have personally sent letters with a number 
of my colleagues to the leaders of Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh 
requesting them to recognize Israel. I have appealed personally to 
ambassadors of these countries. It is hard for me to understand how the 
PLO can enter into negotiations with Israel and yet these countries 
refuse to establish ties with Israel.
  I do not understand why Indonesia, the largest Moslem country in the 
world, is unable to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. I do 
not understand why Pakistan is unable to do so. I do not understand 
precisely why Bangladesh, which has received substantial American aid 
during a series of natural disasters, denies one of our most important 
allies the most basic and fundamental right accorded to a state.
  I do not understand why Kuwait--a country that the United States 
helped liberate from Iraqi aggression--has not recognized Israel. While 
Kuwait does not receive direct American aid at this point, it was the 
most direct beneficiary of the Persian Gulf war.
  Most important, I do not understand why the State Department is not 
doing more in this area. The United States will provide over $523 
million to 32 of these countries that do not recognize Israel. I 
believe that every U.S. Ambassador in such a country should be required 
to raise this issue with the host government.
  I believe that only then will these countries get the message that 
the United States is serious about this matter.
  The amendment to be proposed reads as follows:


                            Amendment No.--

    (Purpose: To express the sense of the Senate regarding Israel's 
                           diplomatic status)

       At the appropriate place in the bill, insert the following:
       Sec.   . The Congress finds that:
       Whereas Israel continues to be a leader in the Middle East 
     peace process and the only democracy in the region;
       Whereas on May 14, 1948, the United States was the first 
     country to accord de facto recognition to Israel;
       Whereas after over 46 years of independence Israel is 
     recognized only by 132 countries around the world;
       Whereas 49 countries have no diplomatic relations with 
     Israel, including 32 that collectively receive in FY 94 over 
     $523 million in U.S. foreign assistance;
       Whereas China and India recognized the state of Israel in 
     1992;
       Whereas Israel is a legitimate state and sovereign entity 
     that deserves to be accorded full diplomatic recognition by 
     members of the international community;
       Whereas the following states will receive direct and 
     indirect U.S. foreign assistance this year and have failed to 
     recognize Israel: Afghanistan; Algeria; Bahrain; Bangladesh; 
     Botswana; Burundi; Cape Verde; Chad; Djibouti; Ghana; Guinea; 
     Guinea-Bissau; Indonesia; Jordan; Laos; Lebanon; Madagascar; 
     Maldives; Mauritania; Morocco; Namibia; Niger; Oman; 
     Pakistan; Rwanda; Senegal; Somalia; Sri Lanka; Tanzania; 
     Tunisia; Uganda; and Yemen.
       Resolved: It is the sense of the Senate that the Secretary 
     of State should make the issue of Israel's diplomatic status 
     a priority and urge countries that receive American aid to 
     immediately establish full diplomatic relations with the 
     state of Israel.

  Mr. NICKLES addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma [Mr. Nickles] is 
recognized.

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