[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING PALESTINIAN PEOPLE FOR HOLDING FREE AND FAIR PRESIDENTIAL 
                               ELECTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2005

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Res. 56, 
``commending the Palestinian people for holding recent elections.'' 
This resolution is a reflection of our support for the Palestinian 
people and their determination to build a viable Palestinian State 
based on freedom and empowered democratic institutions.
  I strongly support our President when he stated, ``The United States 
stands ready to help the Palestinian people realize their 
aspirations.'' The election of President Mahmoud Abbas is an 
encouraging step in that direction.
  The election of new Palestinian leadership and Labor's entry into the 
Israeli Government have changed the circumstances and expectations 
surrounding the Middle East peace process. The newly elected 
Palestinian leadership and Israel should take advantage of this 
opportunity and implement concrete steps to support the emergence of a 
viable, credible Palestinian state.
  The United States has a vital national security interest in a Middle 
East in which two states, Israel and Palestine, will live side by side 
in peace and security, based on the terms of United Nations Security 
Council Resolutions 242 and 338. A stable and peaceful Palestinian 
state is necessary to achieve the security that Israel longs for.

  The Palestinian elections represent a vital part in that process. 
Over 800 international observers monitored the recent elections. Among 
them were 80 observers led by former President Jimmy Carter, who stated 
that,

       There is no doubt that the will of the Palestinians was 
     adequately expressed, that Abu Mazen has the support and 
     respect of his people, and that he is dedicated to the 
     peaceful pursuit of a peace agreement. . . .

  Palestinians from all walks of life participated in the Presidential 
elections, representing approximately 70 percent of eligible voters. 
Young and old, women and men, even those with serious physical 
disabilities, were determined to play their role in building a better 
future.
  The Palestinian Central Election Commission should also be commended 
for its commitment to ensure free and fair elections and for 
facilitating a process whereby Palestinians could vote in a positive 
voting atmosphere. Commission representatives trained more than 16,000 
electoral officials to staff the 2,800 polling sites throughout the 
West Bank and Gaza and conducted their operations in a professional 
way. Every election is a learning experience, and I support the 
Palestinian Central Election Commission in its request to apply lessons 
learned from the recent presidential election to the parliamentary 
elections scheduled later this year.
  The Palestinian Presidential elections of January 9, 2005, and the 
upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled this July represent an 
historic opportunity for Palestinians to affirm their various political 
expressions and forge a government that can respond to their needs.
  It is clear the Palestinians want institutions that are transparent 
and accountable. The United States, Israel, and the rest of the 
international community should do all they can to eradicate the sources 
of extremism that undermine moderate Palestinian leadership. Such 
actions will foster democratic development among the Palestinians and 
enable their elected institutions to produce constructive results for 
its people.
  I am encouraged by Abbas' recent decision to ban the use of 
unregistered weapons by civilians. Such steps, matched by cooperation 
on the part of Israel, will assist President Abbas' determination to 
restore rule of law in the Occupied Territories.
  I congratulate President Abbas and look forward to his success in 
achieving the national aspirations of the Palestinian people and his 
role in bringing peace to the Holy Land.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution and its passage.

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