[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16732]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              JACKSON VOTED ``NO'' ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 713

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                       HON. JESSE L. JACKSON, JR.

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 2004

  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on July 15, I voted ``no'' on 
House Resolution 713. As a strong supporter of a negotiated two-state 
solution in the Middle East--a strong supporter of the State of Israel 
and a strong supporter of a Palestinian State--it is my view that this 
resolution will not contribute to a negotiating process that will lead 
toward peace.
  The U.S. must be a credible mediator that maintains the respect and 
support of both parties in the peace process--the Road Map--so that 
U.S. conciliation efforts will be effective in achieving a just and 
lasting peace.
  And as a strong supporter of the United Nations and the International 
Court of Justice (ICJ), I will not condemn the UN for making the 
request or the ICJ for issuing an advisory opinion at the request of 
the General Assembly on the consequences and legality of constructing a 
security barrier. How can we condemn a democratic process that renders 
a requested non-binding opinion? We may agree or disagree with the 
opinion, but we cannot condemn the ICJ for exercising its right to 
speak freely and render an opinion upon request.

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