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Home , Amir Peretz, Ariel Sharon, Ehud Barak, Shimon Peres, Yitzhak Shamir

S10852 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 10, 2008 If we fail to act, years from now some While efforts are being made to bring the largest weapons transfer in U.S. his- future Professor Bernanke, now Chair- democratic institutions to and Afghani- tory—including 5 AWACS aircraft and 101 man of the Fed, will study our actions stan, is the only democracy in the re- sets of conformal fuel tanks for F–15 aircraft. and will absolutely marvel at the gion with our shared values. The record I opposed the sale on the grounds that it un- shows the U.S. vigorously supports a close dercut the accords. I wrote to missed opportunity—trillions of dollars relationship with Israel for good reason. President Reagan in August 1981 to urge him committed to the financial sector, tens Since the accords between Israel and not to proceed with the proposed sale, and on of billions denied the manufacturing in 1978, the has given substan- October 28, 1981 I said on the Senate floor: sector, with millions of people losing tial foreign aid to those two countries to im- ‘‘Until the Saudis are prepared to embrace their jobs on top of the more than 1 prove their security and to promote the Mid- the principles of the and million who have already been laid off east peace process. Since my election in 1980, support the United States on this corner- this year. If we fail to act, we will com- I have voted for aid to Israel in the amount stone of United States-Mideast foreign pol- of $81.6 billion, consisting of $28.8 billion in icy, it is my judgment that they should not mit one of the biggest economic sins of economic aid—including $1.3 billion to reset- omission in our history. be rewarded with the AWACS and the F–15 tle Jewish refugees—and $52.8 billion in mili- enhancement. . . . By focusing on the special Majority Leader REID is absolutely tary aid. In the case of Egypt, I have sup- United States-Saudi relationship . . . the ad- right to insist that we stay here as ported $35.2 billion in military aid and $23.9 ministration has already moved a step away long as we need to get this job done. billion in economic aid. from the best hope for a peace— Let’s make it a truly merry Christmas The importance of Israel as a strategic the Camp David accords and the now-rein- in millions of living rooms in U.S. ally has motivated the U.S. to place stated autonomy talks between Egypt and special emphasis on Israel’s security, part of Israel.’’ Lordstown, in Walton Hills, in Toledo, which is promoting the Middle East Peace I was one of 12 Republican senators to vote in Dayton, in Sharonville, in Mans- Process. During my 28 years in the Senate, I for a resolution disapproving the proposed field, in towns all across the State. have traveled to many foreign countries in arms sale. The resolution was rejected 48–52. I yield the floor. connection with my membership on the In- telligence Committee, which I chaired in the The same policy that led me to oppose the f 104th Congress, and my membership on the sale of AWACS to Saudi Arabia has guided EXTENSION OF MORNING Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign my actions throughout my Senate career on Israeli security issues. Before being elected BUSINESS Operations, where I am now the longest serv- ing Republican on the Subcommittee. to the Senate in 1980, I visited Israel in 1964, Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I ask As part of these travels, I have visited 1969 and 1980. My first visit as a United unanimous consent to extend morning Israel 25 times and Syria 17 times with a States Senator came in September 1982. Dur- business until 4 p.m. view to assisting on a peace treaty between ing my 1982 visit I met with Prime Minister The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. those two countries. As I see it, the key to , Labor Party leader such an accord is the captured , and other Israeli leaders. I MCCASKILL). Without objection, it is so urged Prime Minister Begin to discuss with ordered. by Israel in the 1967 War. Syria has long sought a return of the Golan. Only Israel can President Reagan the issue of a Mideast Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I sug- decide for itself whether its interests war- peace. I understood the two differed on what gest the absence of a quorum. rant returning the Golan to Syria for signifi- approach to take, but as I said on the Senate The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cant reciprocal concessions. Obviously, the floor following my trip: clerk will call the roll. strategic considerations are vastly different ‘‘As I [saw] it, there [were] major mis- The assistant legislative clerk pro- now than they were in 1967 since rockets can understandings which could be resolved, or ceeded to call the roll. easily fly over the Golan. If Israel could rely at least clarified, by personal diplomacy be- Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, I on Syrian commitments to allow to tween these two men of good will.’’ Prime Minister Begin and I also spoke about ask unanimous consent that the order function as a sovereign nation, stop assisting and withdraw support for , my meeting with Lebanese President-elect for the quorum call be rescinded. Israel might conclude it was in its interest Bashir Gemayel who was assassinated short- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without to return the Golan to Syria. ly after I visited him in his office in objection, it is so ordered. Israel and Syria were reportedly very close September 1982. I said that I saw some hope f to a pact in 1995 when was of Lebanese unification, and Prime Minister Prime Minister and in 2000 when Begin stressed that a peace treaty with Leb- EXTENSION OF MORNING was Prime Minister. Diplomacy has produced anon was very important to Israel. BUSINESS some results many thought impossible. Ne- I returned to Israel in May 1983 and met gotiations with North Korea have reduced with Prime Minister Begin, Defense Minister Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, I that nation’s nuclear threat although that , and Labor leader Shimon further ask unanimous consent that situation remains volatile and uncertain. Ne- Peres. Prime Minister Begin stressed his de- the period for morning business be ex- gotiations have moved Libya’s Muammar sire to secure the delivery of F–16’s to Israel tended beyond 4 o’clock, and that I be Qaddafi from horrendous acts of terrorism, before the scheduled date of 1985, saying that permitted to speak in morning business including the blowing up of Pan Am 103 and the planes were crucial for Israel’s security. for up to 15 minutes. bombing of a Berlin discotheque, resulting in Following my meetings in Israel, I traveled The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without the murder of US military personnel, to a to Egypt, where I met with Egyptian Presi- willingness to negotiate and reform. Libya objection, it is so ordered. dent . As I stated in my trip made reparations in excess of $1,000,000,000 report: f and abandoned plans to design nuclear weap- ‘‘I began [the meeting] by conveying Prime ons in order to be admitted to the family of U.S. POLICY TOWARDS ISRAEL Minister Begin’s respects as Prime Minister nations. Begin asked me to do, and President Muba- My studies and travel in the region lead Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, I rak responded about his esteem for Prime me to believe that next year may be the have sought recognition for a few pur- Minister Begin, saying that the Prime Min- right time to secure an Israeli-Syrian Peace ister was a man of his word and also . . . poses. First, I ask unanimous consent Treaty if the new Administration aggres- tough.’ ’’ that my statement regarding U.S. pol- sively pursues that objective. icy toward Israel be printed in the As I prepare to travel to Israel and Syria I pursued a discussion with President Muba- RECORD. in the next several weeks, I have reviewed rak on the question of further negotiations There being no objection, the mate- my Senate activities on this subject. I think between Israel and Egypt in pursuance of the principles of the Camp David accords. rial was ordered to be printed in the it would be useful to list some of the steps I In October 1983, I was an original cosponsor RECORD, as follows: have taken so that my colleagues and others will understand my reasons for optimism and of legislation introduced by Senator Daniel U.S. POLICY REGARDING ISRAEL so that the incoming Obama Administration Patrick Moynihan that would have required I have sought recognition to address the will have my thinking in setting its course that the U.S. Embassy in Israel and the resi- subject of United States policy regarding on foreign relations in the Mideast. dence of the American Ambassador to Israel Israel and the Mideast peace process as we I first became deeply involved in an Israeli be located in . Hearings were held, look forward to a new Administration and a security issue shortly after being elected in but the legislation was not passed by the new Congress next year. It is my expectation 1981 regarding the proposed sale of E–3A air- Senate. that the United States will maintain the borne warning and control system (AWACS) I made my first trip to Syria in 1984 and close, strong relationship with Israel based aircraft by the U.S. to Saudi Arabia. Presi- met Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara. Fol- on U.S. national interests, especially secu- dent Reagan notified the Congress that he lowing the lead of Congressman Stephen So- rity interests, and our close cultural and his- intended to sell Saudi Arabia $8.5 billion in larz on an important issue, I urged the For- toric ties with Israel. arms—which at the time would have been eign Minister to permit Syrian Jewish

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:16 Dec 11, 2008 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10DE6.031 S10DEPT1 December 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10853 women to emigrate because the limited num- that Syria would be willing to participate in aid to the PLO on Chairman Arafat’s taking ber of Jewish men in Syria presented them meetings organized only by the United concrete steps to curtail terrorism and with limited opportunities of marriage. Mr. States and the . As I reported in amending the PLO charter to eliminate the Shara demurred. I raised the issue with a March 6, 1990 floor statement, this change provisions which called for the destruction of President Hafez al-Asad four years later. was significant because it appeared to be Israel. The amendment was adopted by the I returned to the Mideast in January 1987 part of a broader Syrian initiative: Congress. to examine Persian Gulf security concerns as ‘‘In our January 1989 meeting, I asked on affected by the Iran-Iraq war, and again a three separate occasions, separated by re- During my August 1995 visit to Israel, Sen- year later, in January 1988. In Israel in Janu- spectable periods of time, what it would take ator Hank Brown and I met with Prime Min- ary 1988, I met with Prime Minister Yitzhak for Syria and Israel to become friends. Presi- ister Yitzhak Rabin, former Prime Minister Shamir and Minister of Industry and Com- dent Asad answered, after a third query, that , leader Benjamin merce . I urged Prime Minister it was not a question of friendship, but that Netanyahu, and President Ezer Weitzman. Shamir to enter into negotiations that ‘normalizing’ a relationship between Syria Prime Minister Rabin said that Israel stood would provide guarantees for peace. From and Israel might be possible under certain ready to negotiate with Syria, but that the Israel I traveled to Egypt, where I voiced my circumstances.’’ Syrians wanted the U.S. to remain involved objections to President Mubarak’s statement When I arrived in from Damascus as a third party mediator. During this visit that the Camp David accords ‘‘were a thing in January 1990, I was greeted with the news I also met with PLO Chairman Yasser of the past.’’ that Senator Bob Dole proposed to cut aid to Arafat. As I noted in my trip report: It was during my second trip to Syria, in Israel, Egypt and three other countries by ‘‘Senator Brown and I challenged Chair- January 1988, that I first encountered Presi- five percent in order to increase aid to East- man Arafat on why he made speeches con- dent Hafez al-Asad in a meeting that lasted ern Europe. In response to U.S. and Israeli demning terrorism in English and not in Ar- 4 hours 38 minutes. We covered a wide range news media inquiries, I publicly stated my abic. He said his English was not good and of issues: the Iran-Iraq war, which had just opposition to Senator Dole’s proposal, oppo- made the contention that he had, in fact, concluded; Syrian-Israeli relations; and U.S.- sition which I later restated in a February 7, made the speeches in Arabic. He continued U.S.S.R. relations. I found President al-Asad 1990 speech to the Senate: to make speeches which poison the atmos- at that time to be a very engaging interloc- ‘‘This is not the time, in the midst of deli- phere in which both parties seek a peaceful utor. I suggested, on a number of occasions, cate regional negotiations being encouraged resolution to the conflict. . . . But it seems that I had taken a sufficient amount of his by Secretary of State Baker, to withdraw time, offering to leave, but he generously ex- support from our allies. It is the wrong sig- to me, Mr. President, that Chairman Arafat tended the time until we had discussed a nal to send, especially to Israel, which faces could do a great deal more than he is doing very wide range of issues. enormous additional costs as a result of a at the present time to restrain terrorism. I I also urged Asad to permit Syrian Jewish continuing emigration from the Soviet believe that the U.S. Congress, certainly the women to move abroad. Asad resisted, saying Union.’’ executive branch but also the Congress, must that Syria was ‘‘at war’’ with Israel, and During a January 1990 meeting with Israeli be alert on this very, very important issue.’’ that such emigration could only strengthen Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, I relayed I returned to the region in January 1996 Syria’s enemy. I continued to press the issue the news that Asad was willing to attend a and met with Prime Minister Shimon Peres, in subsequent meetings with Asad, and as I conference sponsored only by the U.S. and Likud leader Netanyahu, and PLO Chairman reported in a January 1994 editorial in The U.S.S.R. On January 23, 1990, I said on the Arafat. I pressed Chairman Arafat on chang- New York Post: Senate floor: ing the PLO’s Charter, and he promised to do ‘‘Asad responded with a romantic offer ‘‘When I was talking to President Asad of so within two months of reelection later that that he would allow any Jewish woman to Syria, I noted a significant change in his po- year. When I again met with Chairman leave when a suitor came to Syria and took sition. For example, on the convening of an Arafat in August 1996, he had yet to make her to the United States to marry.’’ international conference where it has been good on his word. I relayed that offer to the active Syrian Jew- Syria’s position that a conference had to be ish community in Brooklyn and elsewhere. convened by all five permanent members of When Prime Minister Ultimately, Damascus altered its policy and the , he now is willing to have took office following the 1996 elections, he allowed Jews to emigrate. the international conference convened by made a public announcement that he would At the time of my first meeting with Presi- only the United States and Soviet Union. hold Syria responsible for the Hezbollah’s at- dent Hafez al-Asad, Syria was totally unin- ‘‘When I brought that information to tacks in northern Israel. Syria followed by terested in peace negotiations with Israel. Prime Minister Shamir, he expressed inter- realigning its troops as if to prepare for con- Upon returning to the Senate, I voiced my est because there had been a concern that flict, drastically raising the threat of direct desire to see the Secretary of State appoint there would be undue pressure on Israel, and conflict between Syria’s four-million-man an Ambassador Plenipotentiary, like former that is another point where President Asad, army and Israel’s smaller but more sophisti- Secretary of State Kissinger, to concentrate of Syria, was willing to make a very flat cated combat force. I was in Jerusalem at on the Middle East peace process, as I under- statement that there should not be undue the time, and on August 27, 1996 met with stood that the President could not focus all pressure and that the parties should sit down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who his attention on the region. and have the discussions.’’ asked me to carry a message to President I again traveled to the region in January One year later, in October 1991, Syria partici- Hafiz al-Asad stating that he was eager to 1989. In that January, I met with pated in the Madrid peace conference cospon- get to the negotiation table with President the Bethlehem’s beleaguered mayor, Elias sored by Washington and Moscow. Although Asad. The following day, I traveled to Da- Friej, who had been personally threatened by the three days of talks did not yield a peace mascus and met with Asad for three and a Palestinian Leader Yasir Arafat after the agreement, the summit marked the first half hours. As I reported in my floor state- mayor had proposed a truce with the Pales- talks between Israel and Syria. ment following the trip: tinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in In February 1993 I again traveled to the re- ‘‘I conveyed Israeli Prime Minister which the Israeli Army would cease using gion. In Israel, I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s message that Israel had only force in return for a cessation of violence by Yitzhak Rabin, Foreign Minister Shimon the Intifada. In my report to the Senate fol- Peres, former Prime Minister Yitzhak peaceful intentions toward Syria, that both lowing my travels, I urged the prospective Shamir, and Defense Minister Moshe Arens. I sides should move immediately to reduce new secretary of state, James Baker III: was encouraged on this trip when Syrian military tensions, and that Mr. Netanyahu ‘‘to reexamine the merits of our dealing Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara told me wanted to reopen direct negotiations be- with the PLO. At an absolute minimum, we that the presence of United Nations forces on tween Israel and Syria.’’ should require that the substantial showing the Golan Heights would be accommodated Upon returning to the United States, I met by the PLO of deeds instead of rhetoric.’’ by Damascus without objection. My hope for Walid al-Mouallem—then Syrian Ambas- I traveled with Senator Richard Shelby to Israeli-Syrian agreement was further bol- sador to the United States and now Syria’s the region in January 1990. In a visit to Da- stered by Egyptian President Hosni Foreign Minister—who said that his govern- mascus, I again met with President Hafez al- Mubarak’s reaffirmation of the importance ment viewed my August round of talks be- Asad. As I outlined in my December 2006 ar- of continuing the bilateral dialogue between tween Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ticle in The Washington Quarterly, Asad ini- Israel and Syria for broader regional peace. and President Asad as having been helpful in tially rebuffed offers to open talks with It was not until my sixth visit to Syria, in deescalating the dangerous situation. As I Israel, stating that Syria would only partici- December 1993, that Asad said his country reported in a floor statement: pate in talks sponsored by all five permanent was ready for a comprehensive peace treaty members of the UN Security Council. Israel with Israel. My interest in promoting a com- ‘‘Ambassador al-Mouallem told me that his opposed this format, believing that the odds prehensive peace treaty between Israel and government viewed my August round of would be stacked four to one against it, with Syria was the motivation for each of my talks between Prime Minister Netanyahu only the United States supporting it in nego- trips to Syria. and President Asad as having been helpful in tiations. When I pressed Asad on this issue In 1994, I joined Senator Richard Shelby in deescalating the dangerous tensions. . .and again in 1990, he indicated that he had introducing an amendment to the Foreign the Ambassador encouraged me to return to changed his position on the proposal and Operations Appropriations bill to condition the region for another round of meetings

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:16 Dec 11, 2008 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10DE6.003 S10DEPT1 S10854 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 10, 2008 aimed at helping the parties find a basis to pose a major threat to Israel’s security. To Peace or War?’’ in which the subcommittee reopen their negotiations.’’ counter this threat, I have long supported examined the Palestinian Authority’s role in At the encouragement of Ambassador full funding for the Arrow Anti-Missile Sys- encouraging Palestinian youth to commit Walid al-Mouallem and Prime Minister Ben- tem, the ‘‘David’s Sling’’ Weapon System, suicide bombings. jamin Netanyahu, I returned to the region and the Counter Terrorism Technical Sup- During my March 2002 trip I also traveled three months later, in November 1996. Dur- port Working Group. I have helped secure to Damascus and met with President Bashar ing my November 20 meeting with Prime over $1.4 billion for the Arrow Anti-Missile al-Asad. As I told the Senate: Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he told me System over the past 19 years. ‘‘I commented about President Asad’s that: Syrian President Hafez al-Asad died in [2001] speech where he equated Naziism with ‘‘[T]ensions with Syria [have] been reduced June 2000. I was the only member of Congress . I told him that that not only was since the August/September time period and to attend his funeral. It was a 33-hour trip— unacceptable and problematic for the inter- that he wants to continue to deescalate the 15 hours over, 3 hours on the ground, and 15 national Jewish community, but for the saber rattling. He asked me to convey this hours back. I made the trip to pay my re- international community generally. . . . I and specifically that Israel has no aggressive spects and to meet the new President, said equating Zionism and Naziism is very intent against Syria.’’ Bashar al-Asad. I found my 9 meetings with repugnant, that the principal reason for the As I further noted in my trip report, President Hafez al-Asad between 1988 and his Jewish action in Israel was Netanyahu also asked me to tell Asad: death in 2000 to be fascinating, very inform- and the incarceration of six million Jews, ‘‘[T]hat [Netanyahu] wishes to [reopen ative and educational for me, and, I think, and that kind of equation is unacceptable.’’ peace talks] as soon as possible and that he helpful in promoting better relations be- During my January 2003 trip to the region, is ready, willing, and able to be personally tween Israel and Syria. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon castigated involved in such talks.’’ In December 2000, I introduced a bill to Syria for harboring terrorist organizations I flew to Damascus following my meeting prohibit assistance to the Palestinian Au- and aiding Hezbollah in Lebanon. I asked with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to thority unless and until the President cer- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon if he would be convey the message to Asad. As I later said tified to Congress that the Palestinian Au- willing to enter into peace negotiations with on the Senate floor: thority had removed the anti-Semitic, anti- Damascus, brokered by the United States, ‘‘President Asad did generally seem to Israel content included in textbooks, used in similar to those which Prime Minister Rabin had participated in in the 1990s. Prime Min- share Prime Minister Netanyahu’s desire to schools, and on radio and television broad- ister Ariel Sharon acquiesced with the assur- continue to ease and avoid military tensions casts made by publicly funded facilities in ances that there would be no preconditions which could lead to unintended hostilities. the Palestinian Authority-controlled areas to the talks. Three days later, I passed this Asad received this portion of Prime Minister of the and Gaza. message along to President Bashar al-Asad, Netanyahu’s message positively and reiter- In January 2001, I traveled to Israel and who responded favorably, saying he was will- ated his own return message to the same ef- met with Prime Minister Barak and Likud ing to participate in peace talks with Israel. fect.’’ leader Ariel Sharon and discussed negotia- As I noted in The Washington Quarterly: As I further noted in my Senate speech: tions with Chairman Arafat. As I recounted ‘‘He said that he did not think it appro- on the floor of the Senate: ‘‘I came away from this round of meetings priate to conclude a treaty before Israel and ‘‘Prime Minister Barak stated that the convinced that the logjam might be broken, the Palestinian Authority had reached a only reason he had not already ended his ne- but only with direct action by the President final settlement but that Syrian-Israeli gotiations with Arafat was to give President of the United States.’’ talks could proceed on a separate track.’’ I returned to the region in December 1997, Clinton, who had personally invested so During this trip I also met with former and as I said before the Senate, I came away much in the negotiations, one last chance to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, former from meetings with Prime Minister Ben- broker peace in the region.’’ Prime Minister Shimon Peres, Foreign Min- jamin Netanyahu and President Asad with I returned three months later, in April, ister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Attorney the conviction that:‘ and met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, General Elyakim Rubenstein, and chief Pal- ‘‘Activist intervention by the President Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, former estinian Authority negotiator , could well bring the Israeli-Syrian tract to a Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and Minister of to whom I expressed my opinion of the need conclusion. As to the Palestinian-Israeli Defense Binyamin Eliezer. I described the for the Chairman to step aside, as I thought tract, it is much more complicated. But, mood and content of my meeting with Prime it unrealistic to rely on Chairman Arafat in here again I have urged the President to Minister Ariel Sharon in my subsequent re- the peace process because of the evidence im- bring Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Arafat into the port to the Senate: plicating him in terror. same room, at the same time, to hear their ‘‘Our meeting was conducted with a back- On November 8, 2005, as Chairman of the complaints and to try to bring a resolution drop of an escalating conflict. During the Judiciary Committee, I held a hearing titled to these very serious problems.’’ previous evening, Israeli planes had bombed ‘‘Saudi Arabia: Friend or Foe in the War on In December 1998, I traveled with President a Syrian radar installation in Lebanon in re- Terror,’’ to examine the role of the Saudis in Clinton to the Middle East to encourage the taliation for the actions of Hezbollah in allowing illicit financing of terrorist groups, advancement of the Israeli-Palestinian peace south Lebanon. I started my conversation including Palestinian terrorist organiza- process in the wake of the accords reached in with the Prime Minister by noting that the tions, from within the kingdom and in dis- October of 1998 at Wye Plantation. As I noted Egyptian Foreign Minister had asked me to seminating hateful anti-American and anti- following the trip: talk to Chairman Arafat. Prime Minister Israeli propaganda throughout Islamic ‘‘Although somewhat overshadowed by the Ariel Sharon wasted no time in delivering schools and mosques in the U.S. In June 2005, pending impeachment process, the Presi- his message. The policy of the Israeli govern- and again in November 2007, I introduced leg- dent’s trip was useful, I believe, in applying ment would be to draw a distinction between islation calling for full Saudi cooperation in pressure to the sides to abide by their com- the civilian population and terrorists. . . . the investigation of terrorist incidents and mitments toward future progress.’’ He stated that he plans to ease the condi- an end to Saudi support for institutions that During my August 1999 trip to Israel, I met tions in the territories. . . . Although Shar- fund, train, incite, encourage or aid and abet with Foreign Minister David Levy and Prime on did express some willingness to negotia- terrorism. Minister Ehud Barak. Prime Minister Barak tion, it was clear that in his eyes the plan In December 2005, I traveled to Israel and explained to me that if Israel did not make pushed by President Clinton in his waning met with former Prime Minister Ehud Barak peace at that time, he was certain that there days in office, is dead.’’ and former Prime Minister Shimon Peres. would be another war in the Middle East. I At the time of my March 2002 trip to Israel, Peres and I discussed the Palestinian Au- understood that it was for this reason that the United States was still reeling from the thority and he said that if Hamas were to he wanted to move forward rapidly with the attacks of September 11, 2001. During my win the upcoming elections, it would be a Wye Accords, despite the political risk. visit I met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wasted victory because Hamas is a religious In January 2000, I traveled to Israel and and PLO Chairman Arafat. As recorded in based group and has no room for com- met with Prime Minister Barak and Mr. Dan my trip report: promise. In an August 2006 visit to Israel I Meridor, a member of the and Chair- ‘‘When I saw Chairman Arafat, I conveyed met with Prime Minister and man of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and De- [former US Commander, Defense minister . Prime Min- fense Committee. Prime Minister Barak and General Anthony Zinni’s] message that ister Olmert and I discussed Iran, and he em- I discussed the recent Syrian-Israeli peace Chairman Arafat ought to make an em- phasized that the international community talks. I also joined Major General , phatic, unequivocal statement in Arabic to must realize the threat Iran poses and act to the Israeli Defense Force Deputy Chief of stop the suicide bombings. Chairman Arafat confront it accordingly. As I noted to the Staff and cousin of the late , in refused to do that.’’ Senate following my trip: reviewing the Arrow Anti-Missile System, a I pursued this issue further, and on October ‘‘On the question of Hamas, [Prime Min- weapon with a theater ballistic missile de- 30, 2003, I held a Labor, Health, Human Serv- ister Olmert] expressed hope that Abu Mazen fense capability. I understood then that ices and Education Subcommittee hearing would exert his authority and garner more rockets launched by Hezbollah and Hamas titled ‘‘Palestinian Education: Teaching control over the territories.’’

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:16 Dec 11, 2008 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10DE6.005 S10DEPT1 December 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10855 Defense Minister Peretz and I discussed the to push Israeli-Syrian negotiations could be My intent in bringing the Constitu- conflict with Hezbollah. I said in my trip re- very productive over the next several tion into focus now is not to undermine the port: months. . . . Minister Barak said that your Presidency of . Rather, my ‘‘Peretz expressed his view that the Inter- personal participation in such negotiations intent is to ensure that these problems of national Community must examine the rules at this time could be the causative factor in perception are addressed now so that all par- of war for the UN mission in southern Leb- producing peace in the Mideast.’’ ties can take further steps towards peace. anon as Hezbollah is not a conventional My most recent visit to the region came in As Secretary of State force.’’ December 2007. In Israel, I met with Prime I concurred, believing that, if there were Minster Olmert, Foreign Minister Livni, De- stated on October 15, 2007 in Ramallah: not a sufficient force on the fense Minister Barak, President Peres, and ‘‘If you’re going to have a two-state solution, ground, Hezbollah would have the oppor- Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Issues you have to accept the right of the other tunity to rearm. discussed included the November 2007 Annap- party to exist. If you’re going to have a two- In December 2006, I traveled to Israel and olis Conference, Iran’s influence in the re- state solution that is born of negotiation, met with Prime Minister Olmert, Foreign gion, and what could be gained by engaging you’re going to have to renounce violence.’’ Minister , and former Prime Min- Syria to end its support for Hezbollah and The purpose of the Fatah Constitution reso- ister Benjamin Netanyahu. A major issue of Hamas. Regarding the last topic, I said on lution is to urge President Abbas to take ac- discussion was President Asad’s interest in the Senate floor following my trip: tion, not only in words, but with deeds, just resuming peace negotiations. ‘‘But as Prime Minister Olmert com- During this trip, I traveled to Damascus mented . . . there are very material advan- as I encouraged Chairman Arafat to do over against explicit objections of Secretary of tages which could come if Syria would stop a decade ago. State Condoleezza Rice. I considered her ob- supporting Hamas. It would promote the pos- In addition to securing direct aid for jections, but felt that traveling to Syria was sibilities of a treaty between Palestinian Israel, I have used my position on the Appro- necessary in order to keep dialogue open be- President Abbas and Israel. If Syria would priations Committee to urge my colleagues tween our nations. I believed that Senators stop supporting Hezbollah and destabilizing to maintain important Middle East provi- have a role such as the one I was under- Lebanon, there could be a great advantage. sions in the appropriations measures, includ- taking and the constitutional doctrine of Such a treaty would have the potential of ing, but not limited to: the multitude of pol- separation of powers gave me ample standing driving a wedge between Syria and Iran icy provisions, restrictions, and auditing re- to pursue the course of conduct I thought ap- which would be of value.’’ quirements linked to bilateral assistance to During this trip, I also met with Syrian propriate. On this occasion, I met exten- the designed to ensure that no sively for more than an hour with Foreign President Bashar al-Asad and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. I again asked portion of the aid is diverted or misused, pro- Minister Walid al-Mouallem and the next visions designed to compel the Palestinian day for a little over an hour with President President Asad about the fates of Ron Arad and Guy Hever, and was told, as I had been Authority to commit to negotiations with Bashar al-Asad. President Asad said that he in the past, that they have no knowledge as Israel and to fight terror, and provisions to was interested in undertaking peace negotia- to what happened to them. I also asked ensure that steps are taken to promote the tions with Israel. He said he was obviously about captured soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and detection and destruction of smuggling net- looking for a return of the Golan, in return Eldad Regev, who had been taken by works and tunnels that lead from Egypt to for which he would provide assistance on the Hezbollah, and , who was being Gaza. fragile truce which Israel then had with held by Hamas. I later met with Gilad Hezbollah. It is also worth recognizing that the rela- Shalit’s father in Washington, to whom I re- I pressed President Bashar al-Asad on the tionship between the United States and iterated my pledge to do whatever I could to obligations Syria had to abide by U.N. Reso- Israel is built on more than our shared for- help secure the return of captured Israeli sol- lution 1701 not to support Hezbollah, and he eign policy objectives and common defensive diers or, where they had perished, to obtain said Syria would honor that obligation. I, goals. Our nations have long benefited from their remains. strong business and economic alliances in also, pressed him on allowing the U.S. inves- A major issue of discussion with President tigation into the assassination of Lebanese numerous industries. For example, American Asad and President Abbas was what could public and private institutions engaged in Prime Minister Hariri, and again I received now be done to pursue the conclusions of the his assurances on that subject. It is always the field of renewable energy research and , at which the Joint development are increasingly collaborating difficult to know the validity of such assur- Israeli-Palestinian Declaration was issued: with their Israeli counterparts, and I have ances, but I think the dialogue and the con- ‘‘We express our determination to bring an worked to promote such partnerships. versation and pressing the point is very end to bloodshed, suffering and decades of worthwhile. conflict between our peoples; to usher in a Congress has demonstrated its recognition Following my meeting, I wrote to Presi- new era of peace, based on freedom, security, of and support for cooperation between the dent al-Asad to reiterate previous requests justice, dignity, respect and mutual recogni- renewable energy industry sectors within the for assistance in determining the fate of Guy tion; to propagate a culture of peace and United States and Israel. A Senate resolu- Hever, the Israeli soldier who disappeared nonviolence; to confront terrorism and in- tion passed by the Senate in April 2008 recog- from the Golan Heights on August 17, 1997. citement, whether committed by Palestin- nizing the 60th anniversary of the independ- My efforts proved to no avail. ians or .’’ ence of the state of Israel cites Israel as When I later told Prime Minister Olmert In April 2008, I introduced a resolution urg- being at the forefront of research and devel- about Asad’s desire to negotiate, he said ing Palestinian Authority President opment in the field of renewable energy Israel would need a ‘‘credible sign’’ that Mahmoud Abbas to officially abrogate the sources. The Energy Independence and Secu- Asad is sincere before giving him legitimacy. ten articles in the Fatah Constitution that rity Act of 2007 included a provision author- In March, 2007, I joined 78 of my Senate call for Israel’s destruction and terrorism izing funding for grants to Americans and colleagues in writing to Secretary Rice to against Israel, that oppose any political so- Israelis to encourage collaboration on re- express our support for the principles put lution, and that label Zionism as racism. By search, development, and commercialization forward by the Quartet regarding restric- striking that language from its constitution, of renewable energy and energy efficiency tions on aid to the Palestinian Authority. As Fatah would be setting an example for the technologies. This program was originally proposed by the Quartet, for the Palestinian Arab world. It would demonstrate that the proposed in legislation introduced by Sen- Authority to receive direct aid, it would Palestinian leadership understands the im- ator Gordon Smith, the United States-Israel have to: recognize Israel’s right to exist; re- portance of words and perceptions in the Energy Cooperation Act of 2007, which I sup- nounce violence and terror; and accept pre- peace process. ported as a cosponsor. vious Israeli/Palestinian agreements. In the The problem of the institutionalization of letter we expressed disappointment that the inflammatory language in the Middle East During full Senate Appropriations Com- Mecca agreement between Hamas and Fatah extends beyond the Fatah Constitution. The mittee consideration of the fiscal year 2009 failed to meet these principles. Center for Religious Freedom, formerly af- Energy and Water Appropriations measure, I In September 2007, I wrote a letter to Sec- filiated with Freedom House, in a 2006 report worked to secure funding for the newly au- retary Rice stating: entitled ‘‘Saudi Arabia’s Curriculum of In- thorized U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation pro- ‘‘The essence is that a strong U.S. effort to tolerance,’’ stated that despite statements in gram. Given the energy crisis in which we resolve the differences between Israel and 2005 by the Saudi Foreign Minister that their find ourselves and the prospect of leveraging Syria could have a profound effect on chang- educational curricula have been reformed, Israeli expertise to pursue our renewable en- ing Syria’s provocative/antagonistic activi- this is ‘‘simply not the case.’’ On the con- ergy goals, I introduced an amendment to ties with Iran, Lebanon, Hezbollah and trary, religious textbooks continue to advo- provide $5 million to fund the U.S.-Israel En- Hamas.’’ cate the destruction of any non-Wahhabi ergy Cooperation Act. Subcommittee Chair- In October 2007, I wrote a letter to President Muslim. Saudi Arabia has established man Dorgan and Ranking Member Domenici Bush urging him to personally participate in Wahhabism, an extreme form of Islam, as the agreed to include my amendment in the bill, the Mideast peace process: official state doctrine, and about five million as reported by the committee. I look forward ‘‘As you know, I have done considerable children are instructed each year in Islamic to working with my colleagues on this im- work on these issues over the past two dec- studies using Saudi Ministry of Education portant matter as we proceed through the ades. . . . I believe that a major U.S. effort textbooks. appropriations process.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:16 Dec 11, 2008 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10DE6.007 S10DEPT1 S10856 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 10, 2008 This statement summarizes some of my ef- Without going into the issues of position to speak for himself. But by forts to maintain a strong U.S.-Israel rela- politicization, they were rampant dur- analogy to the Gonzales tenure, I think tionship, to strengthen Israel as a key stra- ing the tenure of Attorney General it is imperative we be sure the Attor- tegic partner, and to promote an Israel-Syria peace treaty. Active participation by the Gonzales. I refer to an article, coau- ney General of the United States does Clinton Administration enabled the parties thored by the current chairman of the not bend his views to accommodate his to come very close to an accord in 1995 and committee and myself, which appeared appointer; that the Attorney General 2000. Israel potentially has much to gain if not too long ago in Politico, on Octo- does not bend his views in any way Lebanon is a strong, independent nation ber 28, 2008, where we said in part: which is partisan or political, to serve without undue Syrian influence or Hezbollah The Attorney General must be someone any interest other than the interests of domination. If Syria stopped supporting who deeply appreciates and respects the justice. Hamas, that entity committed to the de- work and commitment of the thousands of struction of Israel, might be sufficiently As noted in the article cited in Polit- men and women who work in the branches weakened to enable the Palestinian Author- ico, where you have the professionals and divisions of the Justice Department, day ity to negotiate a Peace Treaty with Israel. in and day out, without regard to politics or in the Department of Justice, they A corollary benefit could be to drive a wedge ideology, doing their best to enforce the law wouldn’t even meet with attorneys for between Syria and Iran. Mr. Rich, they thought it was such an For reasons amplified in my Senate floor and promote justice. statement on June 16, 2006 and my article in With respect to Attorney General open-and-shut case, and were opposed— The Washington Quarterly’s Winter 2006–2007 designate Holder, there is no doubt he at least according to information pro- issue entitled ‘‘Dialogue with Adversaries,’’ I comes to this nomination with an out- vided. This is all to be brought out at am firmly convinced that aggressive diplo- standing record, for the most part. Not a hearing. But to run counter to the macy holds the key to resolving inter- views of the professionals is a major national disputes, including the Mideast without question but for the most part. He has an excellent educational back- red flag which has to be inquired into peace process, and should be employed by the and inquired into with some depth. new Administration. ground from Columbia: undergrad and Then we have the situation where At- f law degree, a trial attorney in the De- partment of Justice, an associate judge torney General Reno recused herself on ATTORNEY GENERAL DESIGNATE of the Superior Court of the District of the issue of appointing an independent Columbia, U.S. attorney, Deputy At- counsel to investigate alleged—and I Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, I torney General, Acting Attorney Gen- emphasize alleged—illegal fundraising further sought recognition to comment eral—a very distinguished re´sume´, by Vice President Albert Gore out of briefly about the scheduling of the which I have recited. the White House. There was the rel- hearing for Attorney General designate But there are questions which have atively notorious incident where the Eric Holder. to be inquired into fairly, as already Vice President was at a meeting and In looking toward the hearing proc- noted in the commentaries of the drank a lot of ice tea and absented ess, I am looking for a very construc- media on the editorial pages. There has himself from certain parts of the meet- tive engagement to determine the been considerable publicity about the ing where he was not able to—or had a qualifications of Mr. Holder. There is pardon of . There was a case rationale for not knowing certain no intent on my part or on the part of involving Mr. Rich, who was a fugitive, things. any of my colleagues on the Repub- who had given very substantial sums of I questioned Attorney General Reno lican side of the aisle to engage in par- money to entities connected to the in detail about that during Judiciary tisan sniping. As I say, we intend to be President. The regular procedures for a Committee hearings and she said: Well, constructive and not destructive. We pardon were bypassed. The Department there just wasn’t sufficient evidence. are looking to strengthen the Depart- of Justice was not consulted. The at- She had disregarded a document, a ment of Justice. torneys in the Southern District of The position of Attorney General is note taken by someone present, be- New York, which was handling the an extraordinarily important position. cause, as she said, it did not refresh Rich case, were opposed to the pardon. We have seen that during the adminis- that witness’s recollection. From my own days as district attor- tration of Attorney General Alberto I asked her about the doctrine of ney of Philadelphia, where I dealt with Gonzales, stated candidly, the Depart- prior recollection recorded, which is a celebrated cases involving people who ment was not well handled. That is a well-known exception to the hearsay were fugitives, who had fled, that is candid statement and also a very mild rule. She denied knowing about it. about as serious a matter as you could statement. find and hardly one where there would I note a frown on the face of the Pre- During the course of Attorney Gen- siding Officer, who is a distinguished eral Gonzales’ tenure, there were so be an expectation of leniency or pardon to wipe out the charge, eliminate the district attorney herself. Doubtless we many situations where the Attorney could speak at length about prior General molded his views to accommo- matter, while the defendant was in absentia. recollection recorded. I mention that date his appointer, the President of the because of the curious circumstances of United States. A great deal that went There was an extensive report filed on this issue by the House of Rep- what happened there. There we had an on in the Department of Justice was assistant U.S. attorney named LaBella, partisan and not in the interests of the resentatives Committee on Govern- ment Reform, the 107th Congress, sec- who was asked to take on the job of work of the Department or in the in- making a recommendation. According terests of the American people. ond session. It is available for anyone to read. There are quite a number of to the information provided to me, he We have seen, since 9/11/2001, a vast made a recommendation for an inde- extension of Executive authority. We very serious questions involving what pendent counsel and the professionals found the terrorist surveillance pro- happened with Mr. Holder and the peo- in the Department asked for an inde- gram was initiated by the President ple involved there. pendent counsel, and it was overruled. without consultation under the tradi- The concern that arises is why Mr. tion of notifying the chairman, which I Holder lent the recommendation, I am not going to comment about Mr. was during the 109th Congress, or the which has been characterized as neu- Holder’s role. Let him respond to that ranking member. We found there was tral leaning in favor, in this context. I and let us take that up in due course. an engagement with the telephone come to no conclusions on the matter. But here again is a potential situation companies to engage in electronic sur- I approach this matter, as I try to ap- where the interests of justice and ob- veillance, again without notifying the proach all matters, with an open mind. jectivity were not followed in the high- chairman or ranking member of the But in an extensive interview with Mr. est levels of the Department of Justice Judiciary Committee and without noti- Holder he has presented his views. I when Mr. Holder was in charge, with fying the intelligence committees of don’t think it is useful to get into the the Attorney General, Attorney Gen- both Houses, as mandated by law. Fur- specifics as to the precise concerns eral Reno, having recused herself. ther was the expansion of signing which I raised and his precise answers. There are many other matters which statements all during the tenure of the Let that await a day where we have a warrant inquiry, and I will not take Attorney General. hearing and where Mr. Holder is in a the time to go into them now. They are

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