[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING PALESTINIAN PEOPLE FOR HOLDING FREE AND FAIR PRESIDENTIAL 
                                ELECTION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2005

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, which 
commends the Palestinian people for holding free and fair elections on 
January 9. I know we all hope it will be the end of the violence that 
has devastated so many families, and the beginning of the resumption of 
peaceful negotiations.
  The State of Israel and many, many Palestinians want this. They want 
peace--to safeguard their children, to encourage economic growth, to 
move toward the future with optimism and a sense of purpose. The United 
States shares this hope, and must continue to actively support these 
efforts. I commend President Bush for his involvement, and I hope he 
will remain steadfast.
  But we are not naive. We have been at such hopeful moments before. As 
President Bush said last summer, there are a number of concrete actions 
the Palestinians must take before they can be viewed as legitimate 
partners in the path to peace.
  Free elections are one step. But now newly elected Palestinian 
Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas must do more. He must disarm 
Palestinian terrorist groups--not just call on them to cease attacks on 
Israelis. Abbas must do the hard work of dismantling the terrorist 
organizations. He must control and consolidate the security forces that 
often collaborated with terror groups. He must push for true political 
and economic reform, and stop the rampant corruption. And finally, he 
must truly engage Arab leaders in supporting true peace in the region. 
If he does all these things, if Abbas can demonstrate by his action 
that he is a serious, earnest partner in the pursuit of peace, then 
there is truly cause for hope.
  We have waited decades for a peace that will safeguard Israel's 
security, and will bring about regional stability and prosperity. For 
those who truly seek peace, who understand that there is no choice but 
peace to secure the future of the Middle East, the latest developments 
are encouraging.
  The future of the Middle East--and the ultimate security and safety 
of Israel--is at stake. The United States will maintain its commitment 
to bringing the parties back to the negotiating table, but the ultimate 
choice of peace is theirs to make. Chairman Abbas must not squander the 
opportunity to bring peace and prosperity to his people. He must show 
his willingness to make the tough choices, and take the risky path, 
that separates those who truly seek peace from those who do not.
  I urge unanimous adoption of this resolution.

                          ____________________