[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS

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                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 5, 1998

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, last week, Jews all over the world 
celebrated the most solemn day of their religious calendar, Yom Kippur. 
After twenty-four hours of fasting, prayer, and reflection, the shofar 
is sounded and worshipers call out, ``Next Year in Jerusalem.'' I know 
that I speak for my constituents and all Americans--Jews and non Jews 
alike--who fervently hope that the coming year will bring peace in 
Jerusalem and throughout the Middle East.
  Achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians and neighboring 
Arab states is clearly in U.S. national interest. A stable Middle East 
will not only reduce military risks, but will enhance the economic 
vitality of the region and indeed the world. A failed peace process, 
sadly, will bring economic disruptions, terrorism, and even war. We 
simply cannot allow the enemies of peace to prevail.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a historical reality that active, direct U.S. 
involvement, at the highest levels, is an indispensable ingredient to 
Middle East peace. This was especially true when the Camp David Accords 
led to a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. U.S. leadership also 
helped Israel and the Palestinians begin implementing the historic Oslo 
accord.
  Over the past several months, the progress made at Oslo has slowed. 
That is why I was very heartened that the Administration has 
intensified its work on this issue. Under U.S. auspices, Prime Minister 
Netanyahu and Chairman Arafat met on September 28. At this meeting, it 
appears that significant progress was made toward resolving the 
remaining differences that are keeping the parties from concluding the 
next agreement. And it is clear that this important step forward 
occurred because the President has again made a Middle East peace 
agreement one of his foremost foreign policy priorities.
  Mr. Speaker, as this session of Congress races to a close, I urge my 
colleagues to support the Middle East peace process. I hope my 
colleagues will join me in encouraging the President to continue his 
active involvement. I also hope that Members of Congress will urge both 
Israel and the Palestinians to avoid unilateral actions which could 
disrupt the thoughtful negotiations that seem to be headed toward an 
important breakthrough.

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