[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4630-S4631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I compliment the Palestinian Authority 
for not acting unilaterally to declare statehood. Chairman Yasser 
Arafat visited me on March 23, and I urged him at that time not to make 
a unilateral declaration of statehood. He then said to me that when the 
Palestinian Authority had changed its charter, as it was urged to do so 
by an amendment introduced by Senator Shelby and myself some years ago, 
that there was no credit given for that. I said there should have been 
credit given. And Chairman Arafat asked if they did not make the 
unilateral declaration if there would be some acknowledgment of that 
move. I said I would take the floor when May 4 came, which was the date 
targeted--that is today--and there was no unilateral declaration of 
statehood. And there has been none.
  I congratulate the Palestinian Authority for its restraint. That is a 
matter which ought to be negotiated under the terms of the Oslo 
agreement. Chairman Arafat asked me if I would put it in writing that I 
would make the statement. And I said I would; and I did.

[[Page S4631]]

  I ask unanimous consent that my letter to him dated in March be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                                      U.S. Senate,


                               Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

                                   Washington, DC, March 31, 1999.
     Chairman Yasser Arafat,
     President of the National Authority, Gaza City, GAZA, 
         Palestinian National Authority.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you very much for coming to my 
     Senate hideaway and for our very productive discussion on 
     March 23rd.
       Following up on that discussion, I urge that the 
     Palestinian Authority not make a unilateral declaration of 
     statehood on May 4th or on any subsequent date. The issue of 
     the Palestinian state is a matter for negotiation under the 
     terms of the Oslo Accords.
       I understand your position that this issue will not be 
     decided by you alone but will be submitted to the Palestinian 
     Authority Council.
       When I was asked at our meeting whether you and the 
     Palestinian Authority would receive credit for refraining 
     from the unilateral declaration of statehood, I replied that 
     I would go to the Senate floor on May 5th or as soon 
     thereafter as possible and compliment your action in not 
     unilaterally declaring a Palestinian state.
       I look forward to continuing discussions with you on the 
     important issues in the Mid-East peace process.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Arlen Specter,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. SPECTER. I again thank the Chair for his staying late. I thank 
him, beyond that, for listening to my speech. Very often Presiding 
Officers are otherwise engaged. I yield the floor.

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