[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25382]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   CONCERNING VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. LYNN N. RIVERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2000

  Ms. RIVERS. Mr. Speaker, my vote today on H. Con. Res. 426 is not a 
vote ``against'' anything. It is a vote ``for'' peace. I am convinced 
that a peaceful settlement of the long-standing differences between 
Israel and the Palestinian people can only be achieved through 
continuing the current dialogue between the parties. I also believe 
that the United States can play an important--and irreplaceable--role 
as an honest broker of peace.
  Israel has been a good friend and ally to the U.S. and I support 
continuation of that special relationship and our long-standing 
commitment to her freedom and security.
  However, I am also steadfast in my support of the United States' 
commitment to be an honest broker of peace in the Middle East.
  It is because of this position that I am so uncomfortable with the 
tone of this resolution. While it is understandable that the House may 
wish to express grave concerns about the violence currently taking 
place in the region, those concerns must be expressed in a way that 
does not cause either party to doubt the United States' neutrality in 
the negotiations nor its commitment to achieving outcomes acceptable to 
both parties. This resolution does not do so.
  I am equally concerned about the House's persistent efforts to 
intrude into the peace process from a distance. Diplomacy is a delicate 
endeavor. For House Members to appear to take sides would seem to 
undermine--rather than further--our hopes for peace. A resolution such 
as this seems much too blunt an instrument to deliver the outcome we 
all profess to desire.

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