[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MIDDLE EAST PEACE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 29, 1997

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak 
about the importance of maintaining peace in Israel. At $8.2 million 
per day, America's expenditures in Israel mean United States taxpayers 
have much at stake in the region. Frankly, I was shocked when I first 
learned how much our Government sends to Israel in the way of foreign 
aid. We also maintain a U.S. Embassy there of 200 employees, and 
provide other relief and assistance.
  In August, I went to Israel with five other Members of Congress--all 
conservatives with lots of questions. The mission was sponsored and 
paid by a nonprofit education foundation. My 7 days there proved to be 
among the most fascinating as a new Congressman. I met with several 
experts in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, United States-Israel 
defense cooperation, Israeli defense, economics, and history. I also 
met with clergymen, local elected leaders, and Israeli and Palestinian 
citizens. I visited Jewish settlements, military outposts, and 
Palestinian territories.
  We arrived in Jerusalem just after the suicide bombings in the Mahane 
Yehuda market killed 13 and wounded 168. I began to understand almost 
instantly how complicated the peace process is and how culture, 
geography, history, and religion make the objective a difficult one to 
achieve. I also deepened my belief that peace in the region is 
important to the United States and critical in achieving global 
stability.
  Separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and 
Senior Palestinian negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat revealed genuine 
frustration over recent actions of the other. Both expressed concern 
about the degree to which progress achieved between Israelis and 
Palestinians had been eroded due to the recent terrorism.
  They knew our delegation wanted to see more progress, but optimism 
was nowhere to be found that week. Instead, both men did their best to 
defend their policies. Netanyahu did so credibly.
  I reaffirmed America's desire for peace as firm and strong and I 
assured both sides that the United States partnership with Israel is a 
lasting one. Clearly, our financial support will, and should, 
continue--unfortunately the foreign operations appropriations bill is 
currently mired with other unrelated problems which must be resolved in 
the Senate.
  Regarding Israel's future, I came away with several observations. 
What extremists and terrorists fear most is a durable desire for peace, 
certainly on behalf of the United States, but especially on behalf of 
those Israeli and Palestinian leaders who refuse to give in to 
terrorism. there is a political center which must work hard to render 
the extremes irrelevant.
  Though aimed at Israel, the most recent episodes of extremist 
violence, in fact, threaten both societies. Palestinians are sometimes 
direct targets, and suffer economic hardship and restricted mobility to 
Israel retaliation. The hatred levied by Hamas and Islamic Jihad toward 
Israel, also has a devastating impact on ordinary Palestinians and 
their hopes for space. Successful resolution entails all sides standing 
firm against terrorism, returning to the bargaining table, and 
confirming an unyielding commitment to the negotiation process.
  Last month, I met with Secretary of State Madeline Albright who, 
though she expressed frustration with the scarce results of her recent 
visit, restated the U.S. commitment to do all it can to promote peace. 
We will help Israel achieve real security addressing external threats 
and terrorism, by pursuing treaties establishing normal relations 
between Israel and her neighbors, namely Syria and Lebanon. Moreover, 
we will always be willing to facilitate, and when appropriate, mediate 
peaceful accords.
  It is undeniable that the recent bombings have severely set back the 
peace talks that began in Oslo in 1993. The lax approach to suppressing 
terrorism on the part of the Palestinian Authority and Chairman 
Arafat's suspension of security cooperation further suppresses 
optimism, and his repeated calls for a jihad--holy war--belies his 
stated embrace of the peace process.
  The United States must push the Palestinian Authority to fulfill the 
terms of past agreements in order to allow progress on interim 
agreements under Oslo with an eye toward accelerated permanent status 
talks. Other pressure must be put on Arafat to discontinue his 
inflammatory rhetoric and specifically amend the Palestinian Covenant 
regarding the destruction of Israel.
  However, America must never confuse its role in the Middle East. We 
are not a party to the Arab-Israeli conflict. The chief responsibility 
rests in the hands of those who have the most at stake in achieving 
political and social harmony.
  America cannot, nor should not dictate solutions and we must be 
confident that Arabs and Israelis are fully capable of forging the most 
durable agreements. Our role is predicated on the desire of both 
parties to have us work with them to secure peace.

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