STATEMENT BY
CONGRESSWOMAN CYNTHIA MCKINNEY
H.
CON. RES. 24
March 16, 1999
Unfortunately, I believe that
this resolution sends a dangerous message to all
those working and sacrificing for peace in the
Middle East. This is, in the end, a politically
motivated resolution that comes at a very sensitive
time in the peace process and Israeli elections.
As already has been pointed out, what this resolution
really aims to do is send a message to Clinton
and Arafat in advance of their meeting next week
and the upcoming Israeli elections. Its passage
will undoubtedly send the WRONG message to those
Israelis and Palestinians who genuinely desire
peace.
Instead of sending a destructive
message, it would be far more beneficial to send
a message to Israelis and Palestinians and to
the entire international community that the United
States is committed to remaining an even-handed
peace broker in the Middle East; that we will
recognize efforts by BOTH sides to live up to
their commitments; and point out to them when
they do not. In this regard, a number of my colleagues,
both Republicans and Democrats, had attempted
to make this resolution more balanced and fair
by opposing unilateral declarations and actions
by either party outside the negotiating process
that prejudice or predetermine the outcome of
negotiations. This formula has been at the heart
of the Olso process and U.S. policy from the start,
and this is the message Congress ought to reinforce.
This resolution comes at a
time just two months before crucial Israeli elections
when it is likely to be viewed as a show of support
for those the Israeli leadership who have thumbed
their nose at the international community and
its desire to see peace in the Middle East. Congress
should not position itself in the middle of what
the Israeli people must decide for themselves
namely, who their leadership will be. I support
peace based on fairness, justice, and security
for all peoples of the Middle East.