[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 8 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S829-S831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING THE RESULTS OF THE PALESTINIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 27, which was submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 27) commending the results of the 
     January 9, 2005, Palestinian presidential elections.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.

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  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, as we celebrate the extraordinary elections 
in Iraq, let us also recognize the historic progress being made by the 
Palestinian people toward democracy.
  On January 9, for the first time in 9 years, Palestinians living in 
the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem voted in free and fair 
elections. They elected former Prime Minister Dr. Mahmoud Abbas, also 
known as Abu Mazen, to be their President.
  For the first time in 30 years, they cast their ballots for new 
leadership. It was a great moment for the Palestinian people. It was, 
as President Bush remarked, ``a key step toward building a democratic 
future.''
  The election was also a powerful example to all who strive for 
freedom. It proved that free and fair elections are not only possible 
in the Middle East, but the hope and right of all people. During his 
inaugural speech, President Abbas declared that:

       The people have voted for the rule of law, order, 
     pluralism, the peaceful transfer of authority, and equality 
     for all.

  I commend President Abbas for these important and inspiring words.
  This election represents a genuine opportunity for peace. A 
democratic Palestinian Authority that rejects violence and embraces the 
rule of law is one of the most important building blocks for a viable, 
free, and stable Palestinian state.
  Israel also deserves praise for its support of the Palestinian 
election. Israel provided important cooperation with the Palestinian 
Authority to minimize delays at checkpoints. Israeli security forces 
were also deployed away from Palestinian population centers.
  The U.S. Government stands ready to work with the new Palestinian 
leadership to build the bridge to that hopeful future. With wise and 
principled leadership, Palestinians and Israelis can live side by side 
in peace.
  The road ahead will be difficult. Yesterday, Hamas fighters shelled a 
Jewish settlement in a purported retaliatory strike. I remain hopeful, 
however, that Palestinian and Israeli leadership will continue to work 
together to bring the peace. There is a roadmap. There is a will. With 
the support of the international community, including the Arab world, 
both sides will find the way.
  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 27) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 27

       Whereas on January 9, 2005, for the first time in 9 years, 
     large numbers of Palestinians living in the West Bank, the 
     Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem voted in elections that were widely 
     described by outside monitors as free and fair;
       Whereas the Palestinian people elected former Prime 
     Minister Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, to the 
     office of President of the Palestinian Authority;
       Whereas an estimated 65 percent of eligible Palestinians 
     living in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem 
     participated in voting at over 1000 polling stations, and for 
     the first time in nearly 30 years, the Palestinian people 
     elected new leadership;
       Whereas on January 9, 2005, President of the United States 
     George W. Bush stated that it was a ``historic day for the 
     Palestinian people and for the people of the Middle East'' 
     and that ``Palestinians throughout the West Bank and Gaza 
     took a key step toward building a democratic future by 
     choosing a new president in elections that observers 
     described as largely free and fair'';
       Whereas Israel provided important cooperation with the 
     Palestinian Authority to enable the holding of this election, 
     including minimizing delays at checkpoints and redeploying 
     Israeli security forces away from Palestinian population 
     centers;
       Whereas the Palestinian election was an important step 
     towards democracy for the Palestinian people and an example 
     to all those in the region who are striving to achieve 
     democracy in their own nation;
       Whereas during his inaugural speech, President Abbas stated 
     that ``The winner in these elections is the great Palestinian 
     people who have created this democratic epic and who will 
     safeguard it'', that ``The people have voted for the rule of 
     law, order, pluralism, the peaceful transfer of authority, 
     and equality for all'', and further ``Let us start 
     implementing the Roadmap'';
       Whereas these comments build upon Mr. Abbas' 1993 
     statements on the White House lawn, where he said that a 
     Palestinian state and an Israeli state could live in 
     ``peaceful coexistence and cooperation'';
       Whereas the election of Mahmoud Abbas was hailed around the 
     world as a positive step opening new opportunities to move 
     toward peace between the Palestinian Authority and Israel;
       Whereas the Palestinian election provided President Abbas 
     with a mandate from the majority of Palestinians to reject 
     violence and pursue peace with Israel;
       Whereas the extent of cooperation between the Israelis and 
     Palestinians during the period leading up to and including 
     election day was unprecedented in the past four years and 
     reflects the potential for future cooperation;
       Whereas the election must be followed quickly by concrete 
     steps on the part of the new Palestinian President to meet 
     his commitment to reform the Palestinian security services, 
     establish the rule of law, and do all in his power to combat 
     terrorism;
       Whereas a democratic Palestinian Authority will serve as 
     one of the most important building blocks for a viable, free, 
     and stable Palestinian state;
       Whereas President Abbas' success likely will depend upon 
     his ability to tangibly and quickly improve the quality of 
     life for Palestinians, and end corruption and violence;
       Whereas the United States Government stands ready to work 
     with the new Palestinian President to facilitate a renewed 
     dialogue between the new Palestinian leadership and the 
     Government of Israel with the goal of achieving through the 
     Performance Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution 
     to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (the ``Roadmap''), 
     President George W. Bush's vision of two states, Israel and 
     Palestine, living side by side in peace;
       Whereas the Roadmap, endorsed by the United States, Israel, 
     the Palestinian Authority, the European Union, Russia, and 
     the United Nations, remains the only realistic and widely 
     recognized plan for making progress toward peace;
       Whereas the policy of the United States is to work toward a 
     just and peaceful resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli 
     conflict based on two democratic states, Israel and 
     Palestine, living side by side in peace and security;
       Whereas all parties to the Roadmap have an obligation to 
     urgently provide support for the Palestinian Authority in its 
     efforts to confront and fight terror as well as to assist in 
     the creation of true democratic institutions that will 
     enforce the rule of law; and
       Whereas people of all peaceful nations believe peace 
     between the Palestinian Authority and the state of Israel 
     will have far reaching positive effects on the entire region 
     and throughout the world; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes that, on January 9, 2005, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, 
     also known as Abu Mazen, was elected by the Palestinian 
     people to the office of President of the Palestinian 
     Authority in what were widely described as free and fair 
     elections;
       (2) recognizes this milestone in the development of 
     Palestinian democracy and congratulates President Abbas on 
     his election to the presidency of the Palestinian Authority;
       (3) commends the efforts of the Israeli Government to 
     facilitate the election;
       (4) expresses its respect for the freely expressed will of 
     the Palestinian people, and its intention to work with 
     President Abbas to help the Palestinian people realize the 
     opportunity for a more peaceful, prosperous future;
       (5) urges President Abbas and the new Palestinian 
     leadership to abide by its commitments to reform the security 
     services, establish the rule of law, and press on with the 
     development of democratic institutions, including an 
     independent judiciary and an empowered and democratically 
     elected legislature;
       (6) urges President Abbas to move quickly to honor his 
     pledges to halt violence and incitement against Israel, 
     dismantle terrorist organizations, and fulfill the 
     Palestinian Authority's obligations according to the terms of 
     the Roadmap;
       (7) supports efforts to increase United States assistance 
     to the Palestinian people and to help President Abbas rebuild 
     and reform the Palestinian Authority's institutions, as 
     President Abbas takes actions consistent with the Roadmap, so 
     that they may better serve the Palestinian people;
       (8) urges all members of the international community, 
     particularly all parties to the Roadmap, to take advantage of 
     this historic opportunity by providing timely assistance to 
     the new Palestinian Government as it moves forward to 
     implement the Roadmap, to help it build the necessary 
     political, economic, and security infrastructure essential to 
     establishing a viable, democratic state and improving the 
     lives of the Palestinian people;
       (9) calls upon Arab states in particular to provide 
     political and financial support to the Palestinian Authority, 
     to support a complete end to terrorism against Israel, to end 
     incitement against it, and to reach out to the State of 
     Israel in friendship and full recognition;
       (10) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the 
     security of Israel as a democratic, Jewish state, and 
     supports the commitment of Israel to fulfill its obligations 
     under the Roadmap; and
       (11) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the 
     Roadmap including realization of the vision of two democratic 
     states, Israel and Palestine, living side by

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     side in peace and security, and looks forward to working 
     closely with the Executive Branch to achieve this vision.

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