[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 115 (Monday, September 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1582-E1583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCING MIDDLE EAST PEACE THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS ACT, H.R. 5272

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2000

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, because many of my colleagues and I remain 
extremely concerned about the possibility that Yasser Arafat and the 
PLO will declare a Palestinian state unilaterally, I am introducing 
legislation today that would underscore the need for a negotiated 
settlement between the two parties.
  The Peace Through Negotiations Act of 2000 recognizes that resolving 
the political status of the territory controlled by the Palestinian 
Authority is one of the central issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
  The Palestinian threat to declare an independent state unilaterally 
constitutes a fundamental violation of the underlying principles of the 
Oslo Accords and the Middle East peace process. That threat continues 
unabated.
  Accordingly, the bill I am introducing today would establish that it 
is the policy of the United States to oppose the unilateral declaration 
of a Palestinian state, and that diplomatic recognition should be 
withheld if one is unilaterally declared. The bill would also prohibit 
all U.S. assistance to the Palestinians except for humanitarian aid, 
and would downgrade the PLO office in Washington, D.C.
  Additionally, the measure would encourage other countries and 
international organizations to join the United States in withholding 
diplomatic recognition, and would authorize the President of the United 
States to withhold payment of U.S. contributions to international 
organizations that recognize a unilaterally declared Palestinian state.
  Mr. Speaker, over eighteen months ago, Congress spoke with one voice 
about the prospects of a unilateral declaration of statehood by the 
Palestinians. Non-binding legislation adopted by both houses stated 
that ``any attempt to establish Palestinian statehood outside the 
negotiating process will invoke the strongest congressional 
opposition.''
  The Peace Through Negotiations Act is a measured, but legislatively 
binding response to that possibility. Accordingly, I urge my 
colleagues' cosponsorship and strong endorsement of this landmark 
legislation (H.R. 5272) and request that the text of the legislation be 
printed at this point in the Congressional Record.

H.R. 5272--A Bill To Provide for a United States Response in the Event 
           of a Unilateral Declaration of a Palestinian State

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Peace Though Negotiations 
     Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Resolving the political status of the territory 
     controlled by the Palestinian Authority is one of the central 
     issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
       (2) The Palestinian threat to declare an independent state 
     unilaterally constitutes a fundamental violation of the 
     underlying principles of the Oslo Accords and the Middle East 
     peace process.
       (3) On March 11, 1999, the Senate overwhelmingly adopted 
     Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, and on March 16, 1999, the 
     House of Representatives adopted House Concurrent Resolution 
     24, both of which resolved that: ``any attempt to establish 
     Palestinian statehood outside the negotiating process will 
     invoke the strongest congressional opposition.''.
       (4) On July 25, 2000, Palestinian Chairman Arafat and 
     Israeli Prime Minister Barak issued a joint statement 
     agreeing that the ``two sides understand the importance of 
     avoiding unilateral actions that prejudice the outcome of 
     negotiations and that their differences will be resolved in 
     good-faith negotiations''.

     SEC. 3. POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES

       It shall be the policy of the United States to oppose the 
     unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, to withhold 
     diplomatic recognition of any Palestinian state that is 
     unilaterally declared, and to encourage other countries and 
     international organizations to withhold diplomatic 
     recognition of any Palestinian state that is unilaterally 
     declared.

     SEC. 4. MEASURES TO BE APPLIED IF A PALESTINIAN STATE IS 
                   UNILATERALLY DECLARED.

       (a) Measures.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     beginning on the date that a Palestinian state is 
     unilaterally declared and ending on the date such unilateral 
     declaration is rescinded or on the date of a signed 
     negotiated agreement between Israel and the Palestinian 
     Authority under the terms of which the establishment of a 
     Palestinian state is mutually agreed upon, the following 
     measures shall be applied:
       (1) Downgrade in status of palestinian office in the united 
     states.--
       (A) Section 1003 of the Foreign Relations Authorization 
     Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 (Public Law 100-204) as 
     enacted on December 22, 1987, shall have the full force and 
     effect of law, and shall apply notwithstanding any waiver or 
     suspension of such section that was authorized or exercised 
     subsequent to December 22, 1987.
       (B) For purposes of such section, the term ``Palestine 
     Liberation Organization or any of its constituent groups, any 
     successor to any of those, or any agent thereof'' shall 
     include the Palestinian Authority and the government of any 
     unilaterally declared Palestinian state.
       (C) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to 
     preclude--
       (i) the establishment or maintenance of a Palestinian 
     information office in the United States, operating under the 
     same terms and conditions as the Palestinian information 
     office that existed prior to the Oslo Accords; or
       (ii) diplomatic contacts between Palestinian officials and 
     United States counterparts.
       (2) Prohibition on united states assistance to a 
     unilaterally declared palestinian state.--United States 
     assistance may not be provided, directly or indirectly, to 
     the government of a unilaterally declared Palestinian state, 
     the Palestinian Authority, or to any successor or related 
     entity.
       (3) Prohibition on united states assistance to the west 
     bank and gaza.--United States assistance (except humanitarian 
     assistance) may not be provided to programs or projects in 
     the West Bank or Gaza.
       (4) Authority to withhold payment of united states 
     contributions to international organizations that recognize a 
     unilaterally declared palestinian state.--The President is 
     authorized to--
       (A) withhold up to 10 percent of the United States assessed 
     contribution to any international organization that 
     recognizes a unilaterally declared Palestinian state; and

[[Page E1583]]

       (B) reduce the United States voluntary contribution to any 
     international organization that recognizes a unilaterally 
     declared Palestinian state up to 10 percent below the level 
     of the United States voluntary contribution to such 
     organization in the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in 
     which such organization recognized a unilaterally declared 
     Palestinian state.
       (5) Opposition to lending by international financial 
     institutions.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct 
     the United States Executive Director at each international 
     financial institution (as defined in section 1701(c)(2) of 
     the International Financial Institutions Act) to use the 
     voice, vote, and influence of the United States to oppose--
       (A) membership for a unilaterally declared Palestinian 
     state in such institution, or other recognition of a 
     unilaterally declared Palestinian state by such institution; 
     and
       (B) the extension by such institution to a unilaterally 
     declared Palestinian state of any loan or other financial or 
     technical assistance.
       (6) Limitation on use of funds to extend united states 
     recognition.--No funds available under any provision of law 
     may be used to extend United States recognition to a 
     unilaterally declared Palestinian state, including, but not 
     limited to, funds for the payment of the salary of any 
     ambassador, consul, or other diplomatic personnel to such a 
     unilaterally declared state, or for the cost of establishing, 
     operating, or maintaining an embassy, consulate, or other 
     diplomatic facility in such a unilaterally declared state.
       (b) Definition.--For purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) of 
     subsection (a), the term ``United States assistance''--
       (1) means--
       (A) assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
     U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), except--
       (i) assistance under chapter 8 of part I of such Act 
     (relating to international narcotics control assistance);
       (ii) assistance under chapter 9 of part I of such Act 
     (relating to international disaster assistance); and
       (iii) assistance under chapter 6 of part II of such Act 
     (relating to assistance for peacekeeping operations);
       (B) assistance under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 
     2751 et seq.) including the license or approval for export of 
     defense articles and defense services under section 38 of 
     that Act; and
       (C) assistance under the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945; 
     and
       (2) does not include counter-terrorism assistance.

       

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