[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H8371-H8372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       UPDATE ON THE MIDDLE EAST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to address disturbing 
developments in the Middle East, including setbacks on the Israeli-
Palestinian road map, as well as new information on serious efforts to 
undermine peace and threaten American troops.
  Mr. Speaker, despite international efforts to corral his influence, 
it is no secret that Yasser Arafat continues to exert enormous 
influence over the Palestinian government. Israel has come to grips 
with Arafat's ability to derail the peace process and recently issued a 
decision to take steps to remove Arafat from power.
  In response, several Arab Nations yesterday introduced a resolution 
at the United Nations aimed to condemn Israel for this decision to 
thwart these efforts. The United States was forced to use its veto 
power and reject the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, the world must recognize that Arafat is a roadblock to 
peace and that no peaceful settlement is a possibility between Israelis 
and Palestinians as long as he remains in power. I commend my 
government and specifically U.N. Representative John Negraponte for 
recognizing the threat Arafat poses and the importance of Israel's 
decision and then vetoing the damaging U.N. resolution.
  Unfortunately, while the U.S. diplomatic corps was working yesterday 
to support Israel and her interests, the Bush administration or at 
least it has been reported, Mr. Speaker, that the Bush administration 
announced it would reduce loan guarantees to Israel. This reported 
decision comes in protest to Israel's decision to build a barrier wall 
to prevent suicide bombers from crossing into Israel from the West 
Bank.

                              {time}  1730

  This is a careless decision by the administration and only undercuts 
Israel's authority and ability to protect its citizens from suicide 
attacks.
  Furthermore, the loan guarantees will allow Israel to rebuild after 
years of violence and economic decline and are critical to Israel's 
future.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope that the report of this decision by the 
administration is either not accurate or, if it is, it is a decision 
that would be reversed. Because I do think it is a tremendous mistake; 
and I would oppose, and I hope that my colleagues in the Congress would 
oppose, any cut back in the low guarantees as suggested.
  In related Middle East news, evidence has surfaced that Syria is 
continuing its efforts to incite violence against Israel and is turning 
a blind eye to Islamic militants who slip across Syrian borders to kill 
American soldiers in Iraq.
  Yesterday, during testimony before a House Committee on International 
Relations subcommittee, U.S. Under secretary of State for Arms Control 
John Bolton reiterated concerns that Syria refuses to cooperate with 
U.S. forces in the Middle East and has continued its support of 
terrorist groups in pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
  However, Under Secretary Bolton stopped short of recommending 
specific punitive action against Syria. When questioned by Members of 
the subcommittee, Under secretary Bolton stated that the administration 
has ``no opinion'' on legislation introduced here in the House that 
would place economic sanctions against Syria.
  While I commend Under secretary Bolton for his strong statements on 
Syria, the administration cannot stand by and continue to allow Syria 
to harbor and support terrorists without economic penalty.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the President to step forward and throw his 
support behind H.R. 1828, which is a bipartisan bill I have co-
sponsored along with Democrats and Republicans, the Syria 
Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act. This 
legislation holds Syria accountable for its actions and would give the 
President the tools to impose penalties on Syria unless it corrects its 
behavior immediately.
  The Bush administration must show Syria that there are consequences 
for supporting terrorism and undermining peace in the region.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge the Bush administration to continue 
to serve as a strong ally to Israel both at the U.N. and here at home. 
It is critical to our role in the region that the United States 
maintain its steadfast support of Israel and efforts to protect Israeli 
citizens from harm and terrorism. And as part of that role, the United 
States must take decisive action against Nations who seek to corrode 
peace talks and promote violence

[[Page H8372]]

against American soldiers stationed in Iraq.

                          ____________________