[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 82 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REUNIFICATION OF JERUSALEM

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I would like to join my colleagues in 
congratulating Israel on the 30th anniversary of the reunification of 
Jerusalem and in welcoming Senate passage of Senate Concurrent 
Resolution 21, which reaffirmed the Senate's views on this issue. This 
important event came about as a result of the 1967 Six-Day war, before 
which the city of Jerusalem was divided, with Jews denied access to the 
Old City and its holy sites.
  We should not underestimate the significance of this event. Jerusalem 
has been undivided now for 30 years. As a result, people of all 
religious traditions have access to Jerusalem and all its religious 
sites. On this anniversary, and with Senate passage of Senate 
Concurrent Resolution 21, we commit ourselves again to seeing that 
Jerusalem remains an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic 
and religious group are protected.
  This anniversary presents a good opportunity for us to assess 
progress toward peace in the Middle East. While the peace process is 
moving at a slower pace than many of us would like to see, it is 
important to acknowledge the difficulty of the task and the progress 
that has been made thus far under the Oslo accords. It is also 
important to point out the importance of security as the process 
unfolds. Previous terrorist attacks have provided graphic justification 
of Israel's security concerns. I urge the Palestinian Authority to see 
that its security forces cooperate fully with Israeli security to 
thwart the work of the terrorists.
  Again, I congratulate the people of Israel on the 30th anniversary of 
the reunification of Jerusalem, and I commend them for ensuring that 
this holy and historic city is undivided.
  Mr. FORD addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kentucky.
  Mr. FORD. Since there is no other Senator here, I suggest the absence 
of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Enzi). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent I be permitted to 
speak for 15 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I further ask that, upon the completion of 
my remarks, the Senator from North Dakota, Senator Dorgan, be 
recognized for the 15 minutes that has been allotted to him as well.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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