[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 71 (Friday, June 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E950-E951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING THE MEMBER STATES OF THE UNITED NATIONS WESTERN EUROPEAN AND 
    OTHERS GROUP FOR ADDRESSING OVER FOUR DECADES OF INJUSTICE AND 
         EXTENDING TEMPORARY MEMBERSHIP TO THE STATE OF ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 2000

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing legislation, along 
with Congressman Rothman, commending the member countries of the United 
Nations' Western European and Others Group (WEOG) for addressing four 
decades of discrimination in the UN and admitting Israel as a 
temporary, conditional member to that regional bloc.
  For those of my colleagues who are unfamiliar with this issue, this 
is an important milestone for Israel because it places them firmly on 
the road to becoming a fully participating member of the United 
Nations. In order to be a fully participating member of the United 
Nations, countries must serve in a regional group.
  Members of regional groups select member states on a rotating basis 
to serve on important United Nations bodies such as the Security 
Council and the Economic and Social Council. Because of anti-Israeli 
sentiment, Israel has been denied the opportunity to serve in the Asian 
States Group at the United Nations, even though it geographically 
belongs in that bloc.
  Until such time as Israel can be an effective member of the Asian 
States Group, Israel has expressed a strong desire to serve on WEOG. 
WEOG consists of Western Europe, the United States, Canada, Turkey, New 
Zealand and Australia.
  The struggle to gain Israel membership in WEOG has been a long and 
difficult one. And, until last week, one thought to be impossible by 
some. But, with Congressional support, dedicated individuals in the 
Clinton Administration, such as Vice President Al Gore and U.S. 
Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke, were able to raise 
this issue with the highest levels of WEOG member governments and make 
it a clear priority. I thank them for all of their efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, Congressional support for Israel's acceptance into WEOG 
is very strong. Last October, I led a letter to Ambassador Richard 
Holbrooke signed by over 60 members, requesting that he make Israel's 
membership in WEOG a high priority. Additionally, legislation 
introduced by Congressman Rothman calling for full equality at the 
United Nations for Israel has 63 cosponsors. I am proud to be an 
original sponsor of this legislation.
  So Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate, for we have achieved something 
truly notable. However, the struggle for Israeli acceptance continues.
  Israel's membership in WEOG is only temporary and must be reevaluated 
in four years. Additionally, Israel cannot participate as a WEOG member 
in meetings in Geneva, or on the Human Rights Committee at the United 
Nations. Although I have a great deal of respect for the human rights 
efforts of the U.N., they have been particularly unkind to Israel and 
it is a bitter pill to swallow to have them excluded from this 
committee.
  This legislation, ``Commending the member states of the United 
Nations Western European and Others Group for addressing over four 
decades of injustice and extending temporary membership to the state of 
Israel,'' also mentions the new hurdles that must be overcome to 
finally gain Israel status as a full member of the United Nations. It 
urges the WEOG member countries to admit Israel as permanent member, 
without conditions, until such time as she can play an effective part 
as a member of the Asian group.
  Mr. Speaker, I would ask all of my colleagues to give strong 
consideration to cosponsoring this legislation. It took four decades to 
get Israel this far; it must not take as long to reach the final goal 
of full membership for Israel.
  I would again like to thank my friend and colleague, Steven Rothman, 
for his help and leadership on this issue. I would also like to thank 
Vice President Gore, along with Ambassador Holbrooke, for working so 
hard and keeping the pressure on the WEOG member countries. A copy of 
the legislation follows.
  Commending the member states of the United Nations Western European 
and Others

[[Page E951]]

Group for addressing over four decades of injustice and extending 
temporary membership in that regional bloc to the state of Israel.
  Whereas Israel has played an active role in the international 
community and within the United Nations;
  Whereas in order to be a fully participating member of the United 
Nations countries must serve in a regional group;
  Whereas members of regional groups select member states on a rotating 
basis to serve on important United Nations bodies such as the Security 
Council and the Economic and Social Council;
  Whereas Israel has been denied an opportunity to serve in the Asian 
States Group at the United Nations, even though it geographically 
belongs in that block;
  Whereas the Western European And Others Group (WEOG) at the United 
Nations consists of Western European nations, the United States, 
Canada, New Zealand, Turkey, and Australia and is the only group at the 
United Nations that is not geographically based;
  Whereas Israel was offered membership in the WEOG regional bloc at 
the United Nations on Friday, May 26, 2000, by the chairman of WEOG at 
the time, Ambassaor Peter van Walsum of the Netherlands;
  Whereas that offer was officially accepted by Israeli officials on 
Sunday, May 28, 2000; and
  Whereas Israel is a democracy and an ally and friend of the United 
States: Now, therefore, be it
  Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
  (1) commends the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) members for 
extending temmporary membership to Israel;
  (2) congratulates Israel on its new-found role in the United Nations;
  (3) reaffirms Israel's right to be a full participating member and 
equal partner in the United Nations; and
  (4) urges the members of WEOG to extend full and permanent membership 
to Israel, without conditions, until such time as Israel can serve as 
an effective member of the Asian States Group.

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