[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            THE MIDDLE EAST

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                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my views on the 
conflict in the Middle East.
  I am deeply saddened by the seemingly endless bloodshed in the Middle 
East. The conflict has claimed the lives of too many innocent victims, 
Israeli and Palestinian alike. I have always believed and continue to 
believe that the United States has a role to play in assisting and 
supporting a negotiated peace in the region. I do not seek to assign 
blame but instead to ensure that we do all we can to achieve that end. 
I have no illusions that this conflict will be easily resolved, or that 
the United States can impose a solution--all we can do is urge the 
parties to make peace and support a process that offers some chance of 
success.
  I support a two state solution to the conflict in the Middle East 
with Israel and Palestine coexisting as democratic states with secure, 
internationally recognized borders. Prime Minister Sharon's 
disengagement plan for an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza strip and 
certain areas of the West Bank presents an opportunity to get the peace 
process moving again and to lay the foundation for an eventual 
Palestinian state. However, I do not believe that withdrawing from 
these areas, in and of itself, will bring peace. We, and others in the 
international community, need to work with Palestine to end terrorism 
and foster and build a strong, stable democracy. Until this goal is 
accomplished, I strongly support Israel's right to defend herself 
against attacks. Israel is currently building a security fence to block 
out suicide bombers and others wishing to harm Israelis. I have 
concerns over the placement of the fence in certain areas and it is my 
hope that this fence will be a temporary structure that can be 
dismantled when peace is achieved. Lastly, I believe that all final 
status issues, including final borders and refugee issues, must be 
negotiated by the parties and supported by all nations committed to 
peace, so that Israel and Palestine can feel confident that their 
agreement will endure.
  I fear that the issue of peace in the Middle East will be brushed 
aside during campaign season. We must not merely call for peace, we 
must make it a priority. To this end, I have sent a letter, which I 
have attached and will submit for the record, to President Bush asking 
that he appoint two individuals, a Democrat and a Republican, to help 
the parties seek peace and set forth a practical agenda for doing so. 
This dramatic gesture would remove peace-seeking from partisan politics 
and make plain to the world that Americans are united in their 
commitment to finding a peaceful solution. I personally am determined 
to do all that I can to ensure that this issue remains at the forefront 
of U.S. foreign policy and that progress is made toward finding a 
peaceful resolution.
                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                                     June 7, 2004.
     President George W. Bush,
     The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: I am writing to you because I believe 
     that the United States must, as it has in the past, take 
     action to advance the cause of peace between Israelis and 
     Palestinians. I do not seek to assign blame, but to end the 
     bloodshed.
       Prime Minister Sharon's disengagement plan presents an 
     opportunity that ought not to be lost by inaction. I share 
     your conviction, expressed last month, that ``all final 
     status issues must still emerge from negotiations between the 
     parties. . .'' I share, too, your belief that the United 
     States has a role to play in fostering such negotiations. The 
     suffering is acute, for both Israelis and Palestinians. 
     Insofar as we can help bring the parties together, we ought 
     to take action now. Our good offices should not be suspended 
     because of the election campaign.
       Therefore I respectfully urge that you appoint two 
     Americans, a Republican and a Democrat, to help the parties 
     seek peace. I would not presume to dictate your choice: there 
     are wise and just men and women in both parties. I ask that 
     you select a bi-partisan pair and offer their services to 
     Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, 
     to meet with them, together or separately, to set forth a 
     practical agenda for seeking peace.
           Sincerely,
                                               Michael E. Capuano,
     Member of Congress.

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