[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 29, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1438-E1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             RELATIONS BETWEEN EGYPT AND THE UNITED STATES

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                          HON. GARY A. CONDIT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 29, 1999

  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my good friends, the 
gentleman from California, Mr. Berman, and the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. 
Kasich, along with many other of my colleagues including the 
distinguished Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, Mr. 
Gilman of New York, the distinguished Chairman of the Committee on 
Appropriations, Mr. Young of Florida; the gentleman from California, 
Mr. Lantos; the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Oxley, the gentleman from 
Michigan, Mr. Bonior; the gentleman from California, Mr. Pombo; the 
gentleman from New York, Mr. Ackerman; the gentleman from California, 
Mr. Campbell; the gentlelady from Missouri, Ms. Danner; the gentleman 
from Texas, Mr. Frost; the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Barrett; the 
gentleman from Florida, Mr. Hastings; the gentleman from Wisconsin, Mr. 
Petri; the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Dingell; the gentleman from New 
York, Mr. Walsh; the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Knollenberg; the 
gentleman from

[[Page E1439]]

New York, Mr. McNulty; the gentleman from Arizona, Mr. Pastor; the 
gentlelady from Florida, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen; the gentleman from 
Connecticut, Mr. Gejdenson; the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Bliley; 
the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. Peterson; the gentleman from West 
Virginia, Mr. Rahall; the gentleman from Arizona, Mr. Salmon; the 
gentleman from Florida, Mr. Deutsch; the gentleman from Texas, Mr. 
Lampson; the gentleman from New Hampshire, Mr. Sununu; the gentlelady 
from Michigan, Ms. Kilpatrick; the gentleman from New York, Mr. King; 
the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Wexler; the gentleman from Texas, Mr. 
Brady; the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Crane; the gentleman from New 
Jersey, Mr. Payne; the gentleman from American Samoa, Mr. Faleomavaega; 
the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Pitts; the gentleman from 
Maryland, Mr. Wynn; the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Bishop; the 
gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Porter; the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. 
Clement; the gentlelady from Georgia, Ms. McKinney; the gentleman from 
Indiana, Mr. McIntosh; the gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. John; the 
gentleman from California, Mr. Sherman; the gentleman from California, 
Mr. Bilbray; the gentleman from North Dakota, Mr. Pomeroy; the 
gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Delahunt; the gentleman from 
Arkansas, Mr. Snyder; the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. LaTourette; the 
gentleman from California, Mr. Gary Miller; the gentleman from Texas, 
Mr. Hall; the gentlelady from California, Mrs. Tauscher; the gentlelady 
from California, Ms. Eshoo; the gentleman from California, Mr. Waxman; 
the gentleman from Connecticut, Mr. Maloney; the gentleman from 
Massachusetts, Mr. Frank; the gentleman from California, Mr. Dixon; the 
gentleman from California, Mr. Royce; the gentleman from Texas, Mr. 
Sessions; the gentleman from New York, Mr. Crowley; the gentleman from 
Ohio, Mr. Kucinich; the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. LaHood; the 
gentlelady from California, Ms. Millender-McDonald; the gentleman from 
Tennessee, Mr. Ford; the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Ewing, and the 
gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Goode; to read into the Congressional 
Record the following Statement of Friendship between the United States 
and Egypt:

                        Statement of Friendship

       The United States and Egypt share a unique friendship based 
     on common interests and goals in global security, 
     particularly in Africa and the Middle East.
       The continued stability and economic growth of Africa and 
     the Middle East and its environs depends in significant part 
     on the capacity of Egypt to maintain a stable government 
     which advocates modernity while being respectful of its own 
     rich culture and heritage.
       Establishing and sustaining a lasting peace in the region 
     requires the involvement of Egypt--the first Arab nation to 
     sign a peace accord with Israel--as a partner of the United 
     States in constructive dialogue, multilateral cooperation and 
     other necessary steps towards building a region of peace.
       Under the leadership of President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt 
     proved itself a worthy ally during the Gulf War when Egypt 
     was among the first to volunteer military forces--including 
     one of the largest contingents of ground troops--
     following the invasion of Kuwait. During the final 
     liberation battle, Egyptian armored forces were alongside 
     US forces sharing in the burdens and dangers.
       We, the undersigned Members of Congress, hereby witness our 
     good will and intention in declaring ourselves ``Friends of 
     Egypt in the United States Congress'' in support of the 
     following objectives:


                          Academic cooperation

       The continued expansion of cultural and academic exchanges 
     through visits by scholars, students, and political leaders. 
     Unparalleled opportunities for Americans to study in Egypt 
     have been matched by the academic success attained by 
     students at the American University of Cairo under the 
     American model of instruction with its emphasis on debate and 
     free inquiry. Particularly noteworthy is the Mubarak 
     Professional Training Initiative which provided interships 
     for Egyptian managers in the American private sector.


                          Military cooperation

       The continued cooperative efforts between US and Egyptian 
     military forces--begin after the close of the American Civil 
     War when Egypt invited US military officers to help train the 
     Egyptian army and sustained today by joint exercises and the 
     transfer of necessary equipment and technology. This close 
     bilateral cooperation contributes directly to enhanced 
     stability and security and security in the region.


                          Investment and Trade

       The positive impact of Egypt's economic liberalization and 
     the privatization of state-owned enterprises as the Egyptian 
     government moves deliberately from central planning to a 
     market-oriented system which is providing a model for all 
     emerging economies. Egypt offers unique opportunities in 
     tourism, industry, and natural resources, and significant 
     markets for American industrial and agricultural products, 
     the mutual benefits of which should be supported by enhanced 
     trade and investment agreements.


                            General Goodwill

       The continued promotion of goodwill and understanding 
     between our two nations through increased contacts between 
     our respective legislative bodies, non-governmental 
     organizations and private enterprises with the view to 
     lengthen the strides that our two nations have made in 
     unison--aimed at the promotion of regional peace and 
     stability on the foundation of human rights, tolerance and 
     dignity for all.

     

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