[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 30, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H6302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RENEW SUPPORT FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE

  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, sadly and regrettably I rise this morning to 
inform my colleagues of two devastating explosions that rocked the city 
of Jerusalem today in which 18 people were killed and 150 wounded. This 
busy marketplace in Jerusalem known as the Mahaneh Yehudah was 
infiltrated, apparently by two suicide bombers, who set off explosions 
within seconds of each other. More fatalities are expected.
  Although PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat called Prime Minister Netanyahu 
to express his condolences, the latest violence indicated once again 
that Mr. Arafat and the Palestinian authority are not doing enough to 
root out terrorism. It is not enough to express mere condolences.
  Apparently, that may be why the State Department has not issued a PLO 
Compliance Report in advance of any presidential certification for more 
money for the PLO. We now know what the State Department failed to 
acknowledge, that the PLO is not in compliance with its commitments and 
must do much more.
  Legislation regarding this devastating loss is being prepared by the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Lantos] and myself. We invite our 
colleagues to cosponsor the bill and to join us in extending our 
deepest sympathies to the families of the dead and injured, as we renew 
our steadfast support for peace for all the people of Israel and 
throughout the Middle East.

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