[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 2, 2002

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen circumstances, I 
was unable to cast a vote on H. Res. 404, rollcall vote No. 126, 
``Expressing Solidarity with Israel against the fight against 
terrorism.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on the 
measure.
  I am hopeful that President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell 
will continue their push to bring an end to the violence and renew a 
viable diplomatic process between the two sides. I am also extremely 
glad to see that the administration is planning a Mideast Peace 
Conference among the regional leaders to discuss the various plans for 
peace that have been put forward. I am hopeful that the Arab Nations 
accept this offer, and are ready to sit down at the table to seriously 
discuss a cessation to the violence.
  As a strong proponent of continued U.S. support and friendship to 
Israel, I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 1795, the Middle East Peace 
Commitment Act. In all my years in Washington, I have been a strong 
supporter of Israel, and was fortunate to travel to Israel during my 
first year in office with members of the American Israel Public Affairs 
Committee. I remember this trip with pleasure, and was more than 
impressed with the free and democratic society that the citizens of 
Israel have built in their short, fifty four year history.
  However, for the United States to continue its sponsorship of the 
Middle East peace process, we need a commitment from Yassir Arafat to 
refrain from terrorism. The basis for U.S. support for peace, including 
the acceptance of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and 
Palestinian Authority (PA) as diplomatic partners for peace, requires 
Yassir Arafat's PA to renounce in words and actions, all forms of 
violence to achieve their national aspirations. Chairman Arafat needs 
to rein in radical elements in the territories, as it is completely 
impossible for the Israelis to negotiate with groups that support or 
commit acts of random terror.
  On the other hand, I strongly believe that Israel must make 
concessions as well to obtain a lasting peace. For instance, Israel 
needs to continue negotiating with the Palestinian Authority, as well 
as the surrounding Arab states, if necessary. The United States, as a 
broker and overseer of the peace process, must encourage communication 
between the Israelis with the Palestinians, as well as promote a 
cessation of military incursions in the territories. These incursions I 
believe, are not productive for the peace process, and will in the end 
only produce more violence and radicalism among the already 
uncontrollable Palestinian factions.
  Again, I am hopeful that both sides are able to reach an agreement in 
the very near future to put an end to this seemingly endless cycle of 
violence, and that the United States will continue to support 
negotiations and compromise between the two sides.

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