[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 3 (Friday, January 5, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S80-S81]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HOPEFUL SIGNS BETWEEN SYRIA AND ISRAEL

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I wish to offer my strong support for the 
administration's recent, extraordinary efforts to broker a peace treaty 
between Israel and Syria.
  I cannot overemphasize the importance of bringing Israel and Syria 
into a peaceful, normal relationship. Their conflict is virtually the 
last remaining obstacle to a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. If 
Syria and Israel are able to overcome their differences, sign an 
agreement, and establish diplomatic relations, it is nearly certain 
that other Arab states--Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Gulf countries--
would soon follow suit. From that point forward, the region's prospects 
for political, economic, and social advancement would become almost 
limitless.
  It is a sad irony that the peace talks being held in Wye, Maryland 
arose out 

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of the tragic assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. If 
the Wye talks succeed in producing an agreement, it will surely add yet 
another dimension to the Prime Minister's legacy as a peacemaker. I 
only lament the fact that the price would have been so dear.
  It is too early to tell what result these talks may have, but already 
there have been suggestions from the participants that they are 
operating in an unprecedented environment of comity, seriousness, and 
creativity. While a positive atmosphere does guarantee success on the 
important questions of substance, it does lend hope to those who 
watched the failure of the previous, stale rounds of discussions.
  In the next few weeks, it is expected that the Syrian and Israeli 
delegations will consult with their governments, Secretary of State 
Christopher will shuttle to the capitals of the Middle East, and the 
talks will reconvene. At the same time, everyone associated with the 
talks knows that the Israeli and American electoral cycles afford 
precious little time for a deal to be concluded. Under these 
circumstances--a high level of activity, a small window of opportunity, 
and a new spirit of cooperation--progress is likely to occur quickly or 
not at all.
  Secretary of State Christopher and his Middle East peace team clearly 
understand their opportunities and their limitations, and have made 
every effort to steer Israel and Syria in the proper direction. While 
ultimately it remains the decision of the parties themselves to make 
peace, there is indeed a place for American leadership and engagement. 
Secretary Christopher, Ambassador Dennis Ross, and their colleagues at 
the State Department deserve the Nation's highest respect and gratitude 
for the energy, devotion, and intellect they have brought to the peace 
table.

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