[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 70 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ACTIONS BY THE PALESTINIAN

 Mr. BOND. Mr President, during the past few weeks we have all 
heard disturbing news coming forth from the territories under 
Palestinian Authority control.
  The idea that Chairman Arafat even hinted of his support much less, 
his embrace of a policy to sanction the assassination of his own people 
for selling real estate to Jews is abhorrent and beyond the pale.
  That individuals were actually murdered because of this policy should 
serve as a wake-up notice to those who attempt to push the principals 
into agreements before they are ready.
  We also have been appraised of the situation facing Mr. Daoud Kuttab, 
a United States citizen, who during the exercise of his right under 
Palestinian Authority rule, was arrested for complaining about the 
jamming of his radio station which was broadcasting the legislative 
council session of the Palestinian Authority. This activity, much like 
C-SPAN, I believe, is a core freedom of a democratic government. An 
American citizen, holding a Jerusalem identity card, as Mr. Kuttab 
does, is exempted from jurisdiction of the PA.
  The road to democracy is not an easy one. It is filled with what may 
seem to be impossible impasses, but they are not. The right of a free 
press to operate and the right of free speech and the right of an 
individual to dispose of his own property in a free and legitimate 
manner are core to a democratic state.
  I call upon the President of the United States to reiterate to Mr. 
Arafat, our Nation's commitment to those freedoms and our inability to 
accept anything less than a full compliance with those freedoms or face 
the withdrawal of our continued support. I also call upon the President 
to voice through appropriate channels, our condemnation of the policies 
and resulting actions which we have seen occur in the recent weeks in 
the areas under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction.
  While I am firmly committed to the principle that the United States 
remain a neutral and honest mediator, I must speak up when those very 
principles for which we stand and for which the parties claim to be 
attempting to achieve are ignored and violated flagrantly.
  I hope that President Clinton will be forthcoming with some 
initiative to address these and other issues such as the revocation of 
the clauses calling for the destruction of Israel within its charter, 
and that we hold the Palestinian Authority responsible for implementing 
democratic ideals which will be critical to a strong and vibrant 
Palestinian Government.

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