[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9427]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         COMMENCING ISRAEL'S REDEPLOYMENT FROM SOUTHERN LEBANON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 2000

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
331, and wish to commend the Government of Israel for its courageous 
decision to unilaterally withdraw its troops from Southern Lebanon.
  As Israel demonstrates its willingness to take risks for peace in the 
Middle East, the international community must rise to its obligation to 
ensure that Southern Lebanon never again becomes a staging ground for 
attacks against Israel.
  We must stand by Israel during these difficult times, recognize 
Israel's right to self defense found in Chapter 7, Article 51 of the 
United Nations Charter, and work toward peace for the citizens of 
Israel and all the Middle East.

                          ____________________