[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 155 (Thursday, October 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


REPUDIATING ANTI-SEMITIC SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED BY DR. MAHATHIR MOHAMAD, 
                  OUTGOING PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. ERIC CANTOR

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 28, 2003

  Mr. CANTOR. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Res. 409--
Repudiating the recent anti-Semitic sentiments expressed by Dr. 
Mahathir Mohamad, the outgoing prime minister of Malaysia, which makes 
peace in the Middle East and around the world more elusive, sponsored 
by my good friend Representative Roy Blunt.
  Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has repeatedly crossed the line 
voicing offensive and inappropriate criticism of Jews. Instead of 
speaking about fighting terrorism or furthering peaceful cooperation, 
he chooses to preach hate. Mahathir's verbal attacks on Jews lent 
credence and legitimacy to the hateful message of terrorists.
  Today the Congress will do the right thing by condemning Mahathir's 
remarks and by making military aid to Malaysia conditional on religious 
freedom, including greater tolerance of Jews.
  Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar this afternoon complained 
that the religious freedom vote was an example of the United States 
trying to ``discipline the world in their own mold.''
  To the Malaysian Foreign Minister, I respond, you are absolutely 
correct. In America a person is not judged because of who they worship 
and they are not persecuted by the government for believing in the 
wrong God. For over 200 years America has been a beacon of hope and 
freedom for the rest of the world. We have stood the test of time; 
defending the rights of the individual to pursue happiness as they 
choose. America has an obligation to aid nations that further peace 
through tolerance and freedom, Malaysia needs to understand that.
  Europe and The Organization of the Islamic Conference needs to issue 
a strong and real renunciation of Prime Minister Mahathir's remarks. 
The renunciation of these hateful comments would do more to create a 
safe and secure world than all the hate-filled rhetoric ever will.

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