[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                            MORNING BUSINESS

                                 ______


              ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS--ONE YEAR LATER

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, today, September 13, 1994, is the 
anniversary of a historic occasion in the march toward a comprehensive 
peace in the Middle East. Precisely 1 year ago on the south lawn of the 
White House, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman 
Yasir Arafat--with some gentle prodding from President Clinton--shook 
hands to conclude the signing ceremony for their agreement on mutual 
recognition. That handshake set in motion a chain of events over the 
next 12 months that led to the establishment of Palestinian self-
government in Jericho and Gaza, and to an agreement for more limited 
Palestinian autonomy--known as the ``Early Empowerment'' of the 
Palestinians--in most of the remainder of the West Bank.
  Today's anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect upon the 
landmark signing ceremony, to assess whether the agreement has lived up 
to its initial promise, and to ponder what lies ahead in the coming 
year.
  During my time in the Senate, I have attended many functions and 
ceremonies at the White House. Few of these, however, have been as 
moving or memorable as the Israel-PLO signing ceremony. Never have I 
witnessed such a discernable range of emotions and sentiments in a 
public setting. There was hope that the agreement would bring to a 
close decades of conflict, mistrust and hatred. There was sadness in 
the solemn remembrances of lost Israeli and Palestinian sons and 
daughters. There was an undercurrent of reconciliation in the act of 
mutual recognition. Above all, there was a sense of certitude among the 
participants and crowd that history was in the making.
  Since the ceremonies and celebrations, however, the Israelis and 
Palestinians have encountered a great deal of difficulty in 
implementing the peace agreement. There have been charges of bad faith 
on both sides, and continuing acts of terrorism--the bombings of 
innocent Israelis at Afula and Hadeira, and the murder of scores of 
innocent Palestinians at the Hebron Mosque--have threatened to 
undermine the process at various times.
  I know that many Israelis, and for that matter, many Americans, 
remain distrustful of the PLO and Chairman Arafat. While I, too, 
continue to harbor some reservations about Arafat, I think if the last 
year has proven anything, it is that Arafat and the PLO do represent 
the will of Palestinian people. Notwithstanding our doubts, we should 
continue to work with him to advance the prospects for the successful 
implementation of the peace agreement.
  Already the Israel-PLO peace agreement has made the Middle East a 
safer, more secure place than it was 1 year ago. Equally as important, 
the agreement has served as a catalyst in Israel's negotiations with 
other Arab partners, particularly Jordan. My hope is that Israel's 
negotiations with Syria and Lebanon will now begin to yield some 
progress.
  Mr. President, there are many people to thank and praise for the 
peace agreement between Israel and the PLO. I want to give special 
credit to Prime Minister Rabin, who has demonstrated great vision and 
poise in pursuing negotiations with all of Israel's neighbors. I also 
wish to thank President Clinton and his administration, which have 
worked skillfully and diligently on the Middle East peace process. In 
this regard, I would also particularly praise the work of Secretary 
Christopher. I hope very much that there is continued success as the 
Israelis and Palestinians--with the help and support of the United 
States--embark upon their second year of peace.

                          ____________________