[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5038-5039]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO DECLARATION OF PALESTINIAN STATE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 1999

  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to offer my 
remarks on both the substance of H. Con. Res. 24 and the context in 
which it is being considered. The Middle East peace process is at a 
critical stage, the Oslo Agreement will expire on May

[[Page 5039]]

4, 1999 and the legal framework for the peace process will come to an 
end. Despite the recent breakdown in negotiations, I applaud President 
Clinton and Secretary of State Albright for their tireless efforts 
towards achieving a lasting and just peace.
  I agree with the majority of the text of H. Con. Res. 24 and 
therefore I supported it. The final status of the lands controlled by 
the Palestinian Authority should be determined under the auspices of 
Oslo or another framework. While Yasser Arafat may have the right to 
make unilateral declarations after Oslo, it will not be helpful to 
reaching peace and could inflame the violence that looms over the 
region every day.
  However, I am disturbed by what H. Con. Res. 24 does not say. It does 
not condemn the ``unilateral actions'' taken by Israel in direct 
violation of Oslo and the Wye River agreements. It ignores the 
responsibilities and commitments made by the Netanyahu Administration. 
In short, it is not a balanced resolution.
  In the coming months I will continue to support the Administration's 
efforts in the Middle East and offer my support for all those who truly 
seek peace in the region. I will also work with my colleagues in the 
House to craft more balanced resolutions that call on both sides to 
adhere to the letter and spirit of their commitments.

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