[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5903-S5904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE CITY OF JERUSALEM

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, yesterday we passed the State 
Department Authorization Act by a vote of 90 to 5. Today there is 
comment on the bill that we passed yesterday in the Washington Post 
regarding particularly the sections of that legislation that deal

[[Page S5904]]

with the city of Jerusalem and the recognition of Jerusalem as the 
undivided capital of Israel.
  In this article, the State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns is 
quoted as saying:

       Our view is that Jerusalem is the most emotional and 
     complex issue that Israel and the Palestinians will have to 
     deal with in the permanent status negotiations. We do not 
     believe it is wise for the United States or any other outside 
     country to make an initiative on Jerusalem that in effect 
     prejudges that issue.

  Then later on in the article, the writer of the article says:

       The State Department regards Jerusalem as ``disputed 
     territory'' with its permanent status to be settled in 
     negotiations and has kept the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv.

  Mr. President, I want to respond very briefly to that and say that 
the suggestions made by the State Department spokesman in my opinion 
are wrong. The commentary by the reporter does not recognize the fact 
that in the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995--both Houses of Congress 
passed and it became law--is a provision that not only directed that 
our Embassy be placed in Jerusalem instead of Tel Aviv thereby doing 
what we have done in every other country but one in the world, which is 
to have our Embassy in the city in which the host country had 
designated as its capital. But, Mr. President, in that bill--that bill 
now law--this Congress made very clear its intention that it is 
American policy to recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capital of 
Israel. We, in fact by strong bipartisan majority, adopted a resolution 
a short time ago on the 30th anniversary of the reunification of 
Jerusalem restating that position.
  So, Mr. President, this may be controversial. But trust is built up 
among parties, including those who are involved in the Middle East 
process, including Israel, the Palestinians, and other countries. Trust 
is built on honesty. And honest reflection of not just American policy 
but American law as adopted by this Congress in 1995 is that Jerusalem 
is the undivided capital of Israel.
  It is time, therefore I would say, to bring our policies in line with 
our law; that time for the statements such as those made by the State 
Department spokesman in my opinion respectfully has passed.
  I appreciate very much again the graciousness of my friend from Texas 
for allowing me to say this.
  I thank the Chair.
  I yield the floor.
  Mrs. HUTCHISON addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.

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