[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            THE PLO CHARTER

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, yesterday the Palestine National Council 
voted by an overwhelming margin to revise its so-called Charter by 
removing clauses referring to the destruction of Israel. The vote is 
further evidence of sea change in Palestinian attitudes and ideology, 
and provided a welcome respite from the otherwise troubling situation 
in the Middle East.
  In September 1993, during the signing of the historic Israel-PLO 
Declaration of Principles, PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat made a commitment 
to Israel to amend the Charter--the spirit and letter of which was 
clearly at odds with the peace agreement. Yesterday, Arafat, who is now 
Chairman of the autonomous Palestinian Authority, secured near-
universal Palestinian backing for his pledge.
  In voting to carry out this commitment, the Palestinians remain 
eligible under the terms of the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act, 
also known as MEPFA, to receive United States assistance. The vote also 
appears to open the way for the resumption of substantive peace talks 
between Israel and the Palestinians leading to a final status 
agreement.
  As one of the original authors of MEPFA, I was particularly pleased 
by yesterday's events. In February, I led a congressional delegation to 
the Middle East, where the distinguished Senator from Virginia [Senator 
Robb], the distinguished Senator from Oklahoma [Senator Inhofe], and I 
met with Chairman Arafat to urge that the Charter be amended. While I 
was somewhat skeptical after that meeting that Chairman Arafat would 
deliver on his promise, yesterday's vote helps to convince me that 
there is a forceful and sincere desire on his part to implement the 
peace agreements with Israel.
  To be sure, Mr. President, there remains much concern about the 
future of Israeli-Palestinian relations. The issue of terrorism remains 
the most important factor in determining the success or failure of the 
peace process. We can, and should, continue to press the Palestinians 
to root out completely the terrorist element--which they will only be 
able to do with the support and good will of Israel. The vote 
yesterday, in my opinion, will do much to bolster Arafat's standing in 
Israel's eyes. And that bodes well for the future.

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