January 22, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S67 [From the Lexington Herald-Leader, Jan. 13, soldiers became an all-too-common part of Some House leaders, including Speaker Jody 2008] Storm’s job. Richards, attacked Storm’s comments as a GENERALLY SPEAKING; RETIRING GUARD ‘‘Sergeant Potter had died,’’ he recalled, ‘‘shameless, partisan diatribe.’’ The Louis- CHIEF’S MISSION: ‘‘TAKE CARE OF THE ‘‘and then it was just one right after an- ville Courier-Journal ran an editorial saying TROOPS’’ other.’’ Storm should be replaced as adjutant gen- It was particularly painful because Storm, (By Jim Warren) eral. through his many years in the guard, person- Storm maintains that his ‘‘whole deal’’ al- LEXINGTON, KY.—The pace of life is slower ally knew many of those who were lost. ways was ‘‘to take care of the troops.’’ these days around Donald Storm’s Elizabeth- ‘‘I’m going to admit that it took a toll on Nowadays, he believes the work and sac- town home. me,’’ Storm said. ‘‘I don’t think I fully un- rifices of the soldiers in Iraq are beginning to No more dashing to catch planes for Iraq. derstood how much of a toll it was at the pay off. He sees the decline in violence since No more late-night phone calls about sol- time. But it was the toughest thing I ever last summer as proof that ‘‘we have turned diers lost. No more need to put on the uni- went through . . . the losses of these soldiers the corner.’’ The question, he says, is wheth- form. and the tremendous sacrifices of their won- er the improvement can be sustained as U.S. After a 37-year military career, Storm, the derful families. I just grieved with all of troops sent over for the ‘‘surge’’ start return- former Kentucky adjutant general, is re- them.’’ ing home in coming weeks. learning civilian life. Storm, a native of Laurel County, began ‘‘I pray that we can sustain this,’’ he said. Storm had hoped to be retained as adju- his military career as an enlisted man, serv- ‘‘You never know in that part of the world tant general in the new administration of ing in Vietnam in 1971–72. He never planned because there are so many factions to deal Gov. Steve Beshear. But the governor chose to be a soldier—he says he just wanted to get with. to replace him with Brig. Gen. Edward W. a college education—but he quickly found ‘‘But, boy, it sure does look great now. And Tonini, 61, former chief of staff for the Ken- that he liked the regimentation and the val- if we can pull it off, it would be one of the tucky Air National Guard. ues of life in uniform. He joined the Ken- greatest accomplishments ever for world Storm could have elected to remain in uni- tucky National Guard after his Army enlist- peace . . . because the enemy we face is real. form, but that would have required him to ment ended. He was commissioned a first They want to destroy the western world and move to another state guard program with a lieutenant in 1981, beginning a steady rise all the freedoms we enjoy.’’ slot for someone of his rank, or take a post through the ranks. By the time Storm took Storm won’t be in uniform to see the vic- at the National Guard Bureau in Wash- over the top job, he had held virtually every tory he hopes for. But he says the biggest ington. But he chose retirement, and respite major post in the Kentucky Guard. thing he will miss is simply serving in the from the stresses and strains of commanding Storm sometimes sounds like a social phi- Kentucky National Guard. the Kentucky National Guard during its losopher when he speaks on the importance ‘‘The Kentucky National Guard is probably most difficult period in more than 30 years. of military service. the best Guard unit in America,’’ he says. Storm did not escape controversy during ‘‘Military power,’’ he says, ‘‘is one of the ‘‘That’s what some three- and four-star gen- his tenure, but is generally remembered for four types of power you must have to support erals will tell you. And it’s because of all working hard to support the troops he led. a nation state—information power, diplo- these great Kentuckians who have stood up, During his watch, the Kentucky Guard matic power, economic power and military particularly after 9/11, to serve the State and sent thousands of soldiers to Iraq and Af- power. The fifth common denominator is the the Nation. I’m so proud of the way they an- ghanistan, losing troops in both countries. It will of the people.’’ swered the call.’’ sent units to Louisiana to help in the recov- No one had to convince Storm that invad- ery from Hurricane Katrina, and dispatched ing Afghanistan and Iraq were the right f about 1,000 soldiers to help monitor the U.S.- things to do. He said he had seen the plight REPORT ON FOREIGN TRAVEL TO Mexico border in Operation Jump Start. Add of the common people in both lands and felt THE UNITED KINGDOM, ISRAEL, peace-keeping duties in Bosnia, and Home- that liberating them was a proper use of PAKISTAN, JORDAN, SYRIA, AUS- land Security assignments, and about 9,400 American force. Kentucky Army and Air National Guard He admits that he didn’t expect the war in TRIA, AND BELGIUM members were deployed over the course of Iraq to drag on this long, though he says he Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I rise Storm’s tenure—more than the entire mem- knew it would be ‘‘a long hard road’’ once to comment about a trip which I made bership of the state guard when Storm be- the insurgency kicked into high gear in 2004. over the recess during the period from came adjutant general. But he says he was never discouraged, even December 22 of last year to January 4 Storm was the guard’s chief of staff in De- when polls began to show declining citizen cember 2003, when incoming Gov. Ernie support for the war. of this year on travels which I under- Fletcher appointed him to be adjutant gen- ‘‘I could see the light at the end of the tun- took with visits to the United King- eral, succeeding D. Allen Youngman. nel, which was something that our people dom, Israel, Pakistan, Jordan, Syria, ‘‘Little did I know then that I would face here at home didn’t have the opportunity to Austria, and Belgium. some of the things I had to face,’’ Storm see,’’ he said. ‘‘I knew that if we stayed the The stop which Congressman PAT- said. course . . . that removing Saddam . . . would RICK KENNEDY and I made in Pakistan Sgt. Darrin Potter of Louisville, the first bode well for free people and the other coun- was an extraordinary visit, a shocking Kentucky National Guard member lost in tries in that part of the world.’’ combat since Vietnam, had died in Iraq Storm says he personally saw off every visit, and a visit at a time of great about two months before Storm’s promotion. Kentucky guard unit as it left for the war tragedy. Many others would follow during the next zone except one (he was on his way to Iraq On Thursday, December 27, Congress- four years. Officially, 15 Kentucky Guard himself at the time), and greeted every unit man KENNEDY and I were scheduled to members were lost in combat while Storm when it came home. He made eight trips to meet with Benazir Bhutto in was in command. He personally includes two Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait to visit Ken- Islamabad. She had set the meeting for others who were on inactive guard status tucky troops and encourage them. 9 p.m., at the end of a busy day of cam- when they were killed while working for pri- ‘‘I tried to make it my business to meet as paigning. While we were preparing to vate security firms in Iraq. Once a guard many of the soldiers as I could, and let them member, always a guard member, Storm be- know how much the people of Kentucky ap- go that night to an earlier dinner with lieves. preciated their service,’’ he said. ‘‘You know, the President of Pakistan, President Today, he admits that losing soldiers was it’s not about generals. It’s about soldiers Musharraf, and then plans to go on to the one part of his job he wasn’t prepared and airmen.’’ meet with Benazir Bhutto, we were in- for. Storm, however, drew some fire in April formed, within 2 hours of our planned The period from March through September 2005, after a Kentucky Guard member in Iraq meeting with Ms. Bhutto, that she had 2005 was particularly bloody, for example, went public with complaints that his unit been brutally assassinated. It was obvi- with six guard members killed in action. was saddled with old, inadequately armored That year also saw one of the Kentucky trucks. It happened shortly after a Kentucky ously a great shock, a great loss to Guard’s proudest moments, as members of guardsman died when a roadside bomb deto- Pakistan, obviously, a great loss to her the Richmond-based 617th Military Police nated near his vehicle. Storm responded that family, and really a loss to the world Company fought off a furious insurgent at- he didn’t agree with the soldier going outside because she had the unique potential to tack on a convoy at Salman Pak on March channels to raise a complaint, but that he unite Pakistan and to provide leader- 20, 2005. Three unit members, including a would work to get better equipment for ship in a very troubled country. woman, were awarded the Silver Star. One of Guard units in Iraq. Pakistan has nuclear weapons, and it them, Sgt. Timothy Nein, later received the The adjutant general found himself in hot is an ongoing matter of concern as to Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s water again in March 2007, after an usual ap- second-highest military decoration. pearance in the State Senate, where he made whether those nuclear weapons are But displays of undaunted courage could a last-minute appeal in support of an in- being adequately protected. President never offset the pain of lost lives. Attending come-tax break for Kentucky military per- Musharraf assured us that they were. funerals and consoling the families of lost sonnel that was stuck in the State House. So did the Chairman of the Joint

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:12 Mar 19, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2008SENATE\S22JA8.REC S22JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S68 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 22, 2008 Chiefs of Staff. And we accept those as- cause of the obvious concerns as to cerned with the succession of his son surances. But with Pakistan in a condi- whether security was involved or the than in completing the treaty. Only tion with militants there, there is al- kinds of conspiratorial theories which Israel can decide whether it is in ways the worry and concern, and it arise, whether there is any basis for Israel’s interest to give up the Golan, would be reassuring, comforting, if them. which is the central issue. there can be political stability in Paki- President Musharraf of Pakistan had But warfare is very different now stan. It is our hope that will occur with asked for assistance from Scotland than it was in 1967, when Israel took the oncoming elections. Yard. My own view is that was insuffi- the Golan Heights. The rockets are im- But whether Benazir Bhutto would cient because Pakistan would retain pervious to elevated spots such as the have emerged as Prime Minister, as the control of the investigation, but that Golan, and it is a very different stra- leader, remained to be seen. But cer- would certainly be a step in the right tegic concern. But as Prime Minister tainly she had extraordinary potential. direction. Olmert commented—and I quoted him Those who have seen her on television I supplemented that letter to the in the written statement—there are know she was a movie star, beautiful, Secretary General on January 17, 2008, very material advantages which could charismatic, and beyond those fea- with a suggestion that the United Na- come if Syria would stop supporting tures, a great intellect, educated in the tions put into operation a standing Hamas. It would promote the possibili- United States, at Radcliffe, of course, commission to investigate inter- ties of a treaty between Palestinian at Harvard, Oxford—a real intellectual national assassinations. The impor- President Abbas and Israel. If Syria and a real leader in the political tance of immediate action and inves- would stop supporting Hezbollah and sphere. Her father had been Prime Min- tigation is well known—to get to the destabilizing Lebanon, there could be a ister. She had been Prime Minister. scene, to preserve the evidence to the great advantage. Such a treaty would I had the opportunity to meet her maximum extent possible, and to ques- have the potential of driving a wedge some 20 years ago when my wife and I tion witnesses while their memories between Syria and Iran which would be visited her at her family home in Kara- are fresh and before they are poten- of value. chi. She was a very disarming young tially intimidated. Some of the doctors That is a very brief statement of the woman. When I took some pictures of who attended Benazir Bhutto reported extensive written report which I have her, she asked if I would send her cop- they had been told not to talk to the filed, and I appreciate it being printed ies. She said nobody ever sent her cop- media. I think these ideas are ideas in the RECORD, at the conclusion of my ies of pictures which were taken. I was which are worth pursuing. statement. I thank the managers of the surprised, really sort of amused, be- The composition of the standing pending bill for yielding this time, and cause she was on the cover of People commission would have to be very I conclude my statement by yielding magazine at that time. You only had to carefully thought through. There the floor. pick up most any magazine on the would obviously be exemptions for na- EXHIBIT 1 tions which are capable of carrying on stands and find a picture of a glam- STATEMENT OF SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER an investigation with the technical ex- orous, beautiful, talented Benazir REPORT ON FOREIGN TRAVEL TO THE UNITED Bhutto. pertise and which would have the con- KINGDOM, ISRAEL, PAKISTAN, JORDAN, SYRIA, I visited her when she was Prime fidence of the public, but I think this is AUSTRIA AND BELGIUM Minister in Islamabad in 1995. I dis- an issue which ought to be undertaken. Mr. President, as is my custom from re- cussed with her the possibility at that The Wiesenthal Institute has published turning abroad, I have sought recognition to time of having the subcontinent nu- the idea, full-page ads in the New York report on the recent trip I made overseas clear free. Senator Hank Brown and I Times, that assassination ought to be from December 22, 2007 to January 4, 2008. carried a message from the Prime Min- classified as a crime against humanity. UNITED KINGDOM ister of India, Prime Minister Singh at That, too, is an idea, in my opinion, On the morning of December 23, the delega- that time, to have the subcontinent which ought to be pursued. But the les- tion which included my wife Joan, Rep- nuclear free. Then I had seen her from sons learned and the pain and suffering resentative Patrick Kennedy, Christopher Bradish, a member of my staff, Colonel time to time in Washington. Beyond which comes from the assassination of a great leader such as Ms. Bhutto Gregg Olson, our escort officer and Captain any doubt, she had the power to and Ron Smith, our doctor and me, departed the potential to be a great leader in ought to be studied. We ought to look from Washington Dulles International Air- Pakistan and the great potential to be to the future to be sure that where port for London, England. After a flight of a stabilizing force. there are recurrences—and regrettably, just over 7 hours, we arrived at London I learned after she was assassinated, it is highly likely there will be Heathrow Airport. The following morning we according to members of her own recurrences—that we profit by that ex- departed for Tel Aviv, Israel. party, that she had planned to give perience. ISRAEL Congressman KENNEDY and me some In addition to traveling to Pakistan, We arrived in Tel Aviv on the evening of documentation about the likelihood of Congressman KENNEDY and I visited in December 24. We were greeted at the airport vote fraud. I have sought information Israel and in Syria. We talked to Prime by Rachel Smith our control officer from the on those matters. Minister Olmert in Israel. We talked to embassy. President Bashar al-Asad in Syria. The following morning, I was briefed by I ask unanimous consent that at the DCM Luis Moreno and Political Counsel conclusion of my statement, the full Both are national leaders and both ex- Marc Sievers on the latest developments in text of a lengthy 40-page report be pressed a desire to have a peace treaty. the region. The country team stressed that, printed in the RECORD, together with It is very difficult to assess the possi- prior to the Annapolis conference, tension in copies of the letters which I have sent bilities by talking, even with the prob- the region was high. The team informed us to her family and to her political allies ing questions, because it depends so that Prime Minister Olmert and President making inquiries about the informa- much on a matter of trust. But I think Mahmoud Abbas have good chemistry and tion on vote fraud which reportedly she it is worth noting that back-channel that the leaders remain optimistic that an negotiations have been undertaken. A agreement can be reached in 2008. We dis- was interested in turning over to Con- cussed some of the prevalent matters in the gressman KENNEDY and me. report has appeared in the Arabic press region including the situation in the Gaza The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and specified in my written statement strip, the dynamic between Fatah and objection, it is so ordered. but has not appeared, to my knowl- Hamas, the Paris conference, the security (See Exhibit 1.) edge, in the American press. We do situation in Israel and the political outlook Mr. SPECTER. With the assassina- know Israel and Syria came very close for the region. Following the briefing, we de- tion of Ms. Bhutto, it seems to me to an agreement in 1995, until Prime parted for a meeting with Israeli President there is a need for an international in- Minister Rabin was assassinated, and Shimon Peres. vestigation. By letter dated January 2, then again brokered by President Clin- Having traveled to Israel 25 times during my tenure, I had come to know many of before returning to the United States, I ton near the end of his term in 2000. Israel’s leaders including President Shimon wrote a letter to the Secretary General They came very close to an agreement, Peres. I asked the President for his thoughts of the United Nations urging that there when it was reported that Syrian on how to break the cycle of violence and be an international investigation be- President Hafez al-Asad was more con- hate that reigns in the region. He provided

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:12 Mar 19, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2008SENATE\S22JA8.REC S22JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY January 22, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S69 his candid assessment of the prospects for program and more importantly that we do he will work with the Israelis to reach a peace but stressed that nothing can be solved not know if Iran restarted its efforts. deal. He expressed his concern over Israeli without cooperation, a strong commitment In addition to talking about unilateral ac- settlement activities and the negative im- to economic improvement which entails the tions, Netanyahu recommended that we pact this could have on the process. creation of jobs in addition to aid money and work with the Europeans and form a unified President Abbas informed the delegation the tangible benefits of changing the eco- front with Russia. He stressed the impor- that Hamas’ popularity was subsiding but nomic situation and the impact that has on tance of ‘‘turning back the momentum’’ do- that they are still receiving assistance changing people’s lives. President Peres stat- mestically and internationally to combat through tunnels and border crossings. ed it was critical to support Abu Mazen and Iran. Should these not be blocked, money and develop the West Bank. I asked Netanyahu what can be done to weaponry still can flow to Gaza. While this I asked Peres on the prospects for future break the cycle of violence and hatred. He type of activity harms the process, he indi- dealings with Syria. The President said said this is a battle between modernity/ cated that humanitarian aid must flow to Syria should make a choice: Lebanon or the globalization and militant Islam and that Palestinians residing in the West Bank. Golan. If they meddle in Lebanon, the this ‘‘culture of death’’ with nuclear weapons The delegation pressed Abu Mazen about Israeli’s will not discuss Golan and that all could lead to catastrophe. Militant Islam, anti-Israeli Palestinian decrees and ex- other issues are secondary. according to Netanyahu, works by brain- pressed that these are not acceptable. The I pressed President Peres on Iran and what washing individuals. The information and President responded emphatically by saying, he thought should be done. He stated that economic revolution could be the best weap- ‘‘I am the head of the PLO, I am the head of the U.S. needs a united, coherent policy to on against this ideology as a form of com- Fatah and I am recognizing Israel and we combat President Ahmadinejad’s policy of bating brainwashing. Following our meeting want peace.’’ enriching uranium. He complimented Presi- with Netanyahu, we departed for a meeting Congressman Kennedy asked President dent Bush in showing courage, but that the with Former Prime Minister and current De- Abbas about comparisons to the successful capacity to build a coalition was absent. fense Minister, Ehud Barak. peace talks in Ireland and the prospects for Peres did not express great alarm about Iran I had met with Barak when he was in transferring some of the mechanisms em- as he believes that the world will not allow Washington, DC attending the Annapolis ployed to the Middle East. Abu Mazen said the Islamic Republic to acquire nuclear conference. He provided me an update on there are elements that can be utilized espe- weapons. I asked if there were any lessons Israeli security service actions and intel- cially in the arena of people to people pro- from our diplomatic engagement with North ligence gained since we last spoke. I asked grams. Korea to which he responded by highlighting the Defense Minister to provide his views on Salaam Fayyad shared his gratitude for the benefits of diplomatic and economic ef- breaking the cycle of violence and hatred the pledges made in Paris and informed us that debt is being paid and the economy forts. and his outlook for the region. Barak be- I mentioned to Peres that we would be lieves that we cannot reshape but can guide showing signs of improvement. He cited that traveling to Pakistan and solicited his and offer a path of more opportunity. He ex- hotel occupancy rate is near 100 percent thoughts. He believes that religious fanatics pressed his support for strengthening mod- which is up from 5–10 percent earlier this in the region are a massive problem for the erates like Abu Mazen and Salaam Fayyad year. He expressed his desire for imple- government and that the U.S. should not and that he is more optimistic dealing with menting larger infrastructure projects and a force Pakistan and its leaders to be an Amer- these leaders than he was when serving as reduction in Israeli restrictions, such as ican democracy—a theme that would con- Prime Minister dealing with Yasser Arafat. I check points, which hinder businesses. We concluded our meeting and returned to Jeru- tinue in our meetings in Pakistan. He did asked him about coming close to an agree- salem. not believe that the situation between Paki- ment in 2000 with Chairman Arafat. Barak On December 25, we had a morning meeting said the gap may have been narrow, but it stan and India would lead to war but that it with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The was very deep. is imperative that Pakistan secure its nu- Prime Minister requested I brief him on de- clear arsenal—something with which I When asked about Lebanon and Syria, Barak said Syria continues to destabilize velopments in the United States and our strongly agree. views towards the region. Olmert asked President Peres suggested that oil is our Lebanon. He pointed to the recent assassina- about the U.S. role in moving forward with great enemy: It finances terror, makes a tion of Francois El-Hajj, who was expected Syria and if anything can be done given their mockery of democracy, negatively impacts to be Lebanon’s new Army commander in meddling in Lebanon. I told him I thought the environment, and undercuts ideological chief should General Michel Suleiman take there is a chance based on the progress made over as President. Barak believes that Syria foundations. He called for increased efforts in 1995 and 2000. I told him of my discussions would not stand to see the deputy elevated to pursue alternatives to fossil fuels. in Washington, DC with Syrian officials and When asked about his view on our engage- and that Syria wants a government that will that they expressed their interest in talks. I ment in Iraq and Afghanistan, Peres stated request the U.N. to halt its investigation in told him I thought that the status of the that we have no choice but to combat radical the Hariri assassination—an attack that Golan Heights would be the crux of the nego- extremism and those who think modernity some suspect was orchestrated by Syria. tiations. will end. He elevated the struggle to one of When I asked Barak about his peace efforts Olmert told me he is prepared to negotiate those in the modern world versus those who while serving as Prime Minister with Syria, with Syria but that it is a long process that are not able to deal with the fact that he indicated that there was an opportunity, needs to mature and that Syria must deliver, science has replaced them. He pointed to the but Hafez Assad was more concerned about not just talk. I pressed Olmert about what fact that you cannot find an Israeli hospital his son’s succession than peace. actions he had taken and who would make without an Arab doctor. And even an Israeli On Iran, Minister Barak reiterated that the first move. I reminded Olmert that who will not hire an Arab has no problem the information between U.S. and Israeli in- Henry Kissinger said it took 34 negotiating with one operating on him with a knife. telligence is 95 percent the same, but that sessions with Hafez Al-Assad to get an agree- When discussing our bilateral relationship, different interpretations persist. Barak ex- ment. Peres said: ‘‘The less we need America, the pressed concern over Iran’s hidden program Prime Minister Olmert said the National more friendly our relations will become.’’ and that they are not likely to cooperate. I Intelligence Estimate on Iran was not help- President Peres ended the meeting by ex- asked about getting Russia to assist and ful in efforts to combat Iran’s suspected nu- tending an invitation for us to come back to President Putin’s offer to handle part of clear weapons program. When asked if he Israel for the sixtieth anniversary of Israel. Iran’s fuel cycle. Barak stated that Russia thought they stopped in 2003, Olmert replied, We left the President’s office for our next wants to see the U.S. squeezed right now but ‘‘I don’t know.’’ He expressed his hope that meeting at the Knesset with former Prime that we must engage China and Russia if we U.S. intelligence based its findings on solid Minister and Likud party leader, Benjamin want to have success on this front. We de- facts. Netanyahu. parted the Knesset for our next meeting with Olmert, like Netanyahu, stated that if The focus of our discussion with President Mahmoud Abbas and Salaam they have enough uranium they can do ev- Netanyahu and Zarman Shoval centered on Fayyad in the West Bank. erything else needed to make a weapon in Iran. He expressed his support for continued On Christmas Eve, we loaded in our convoy short order. Nevertheless, Olmert stated that economic pressure in the form of sanctions bound for Bethlehem in the Palestinian-con- we must carry on impressing upon Iran to and pension fund divestment. He reported trolled West Bank. Security was tight as we change their course. that U.S. states divesting from companies, left Jerusalem and entered the West Bank I requested specifics on how to confine mostly European, doing business with Iran is with security personnel lining both sides of Iran’s nuclear weapons program to which having an impact. Netanyahu concluded that the street every 100 yards. Upon arrival we Olmert cited the usefulness of economic Iran’s building of long range weapon plat- were greeted by Salaam Fayyad, the well-re- pressure such as sanctions. He expressed dis- forms and its increased centrifuge activities spected, western-educated finance minster, pleasure that the debate has been confined to leaves it with very little left to do to obtain with whom I’ve had a relationship for some two options: Military action or acquiescence. a nuclear weapon. A theme in my discussions years. I asked Abu Mazen about the status of The Prime Minister said he will raise alter- with Israeli officials, in Washington, DC and talks and prospects for peace. He shared his natives with President Bush during his Janu- Israel, is that our Nations don’t differ on the optimism and informed me that he would be ary 2008 visit. facts but we do differ on the interpretation. meeting with Prime Minister Olmert in two Representative Kennedy asked Olmert He was not convinced that Iran halted its days. He described 2008 as precious and that about the Gaza-Hamas-Egypt nexus and the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:12 Mar 19, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2008SENATE\S22JA8.REC S22JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S70 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 22, 2008 problems associated with smuggling. Olmert democracy in the Middle East will defeat Al and control structures in place to ensure the confirmed that the movement of money, Qaeda and if negotiations between Israel and weapons do not fall into the hands of mili- weapons, to include anti-tank and anti-air the Palestinians fail, Osama bin Laden wins. tants. He informed me that there is a struc- missiles, and terrorists across the Philadel- He expressed his optimism that a deal can be ture in place that ensures that there can be phia line is a major concern. He indicated reached in 2008 and that both sides are pre- no rogue launch of nuclear weapons as the displeasure with Egyptian acquiescence on pared for peace. He stated that there needs President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, this front and said that he had raised his to be a package deal and both sides know ex- Defense Minister and the service chiefs all concerns with President Mubarak and that actly what the other wants—Israel wants no have to approve usage. he would be dispatching Defense Minister refugees and security and the Palestinians I expressed my desire to see the Indian sub- Barak to Egypt the following day to follow want Jerusalem and land. continent denuclearized—a matter I had up on these issues. On the issue of Iran, Saeb said that Iranian taken up with the Prime Ministers of India I asked the Prime Minister about the re- nationalism cannot be overlooked when ap- and Pakistan over a decade earlier. Majid in- ported ‘‘offer’’ from Hamas for a ceasefire. proaching Tehran. He expressed frustration formed me that Pakistan had made such an Olmert said that no offer was made, but over anti-Israeli comments made by Presi- offer to India but that it was rejected. Paki- rather a journalist reported receiving a call dent Ahmadinejad: ‘‘When he says he wants stan claims its arsenal is an insurance policy from Hamas indicating an interest and that Israel off the map, he is killing me!’’ He can- against the much larger Indian force and the media subsequently played it up. He not comprehend why Iran would support that they do not have regional ambitions. questions the logic of negotiating with Hamas in Gaza and pointed out that Abu India not only looks at Pakistan but looks Hamas as all it would do is provide Hamas an Mazen has been invited to Tehran nine times east towards China and would not likely give opportunity to re-arm and Israel would get and never responded. He suggested that Iran up their arsenal with such a neighbor. China nothing. He made clear his stance that he is wants a deal and is willing to make one with would be unlikely to surrender its weapons not inclined to negotiate with a group who the U.S. or international community. given the considerable arsenals of Russia and wants to kill Israelis and refuses to recog- Saeb closed by indicating that progress on the United States. nize the state. the Syrian-Israeli track would be beneficial I expressed my concern over Iran’s nuclear On the Israeli-Palestinian track, Olmert to the Palestinian-Israeli track. The fol- activities and ambitions. Majid indicated stated that Abbas and Fayyad recognize lowing morning we drove from Jerusalem to that Pakistan did not have a problem with a Israel and want to make peace and are seri- Tel Aviv en route to Pakistan. peaceful program but that they object to high levels of enrichment. Any military ac- ous, committed partners. When we discussed PAKISTAN tion against Iran, Majid said, would com- breaking the cycle of violence and hate in We landed in Islamabad, Pakistan on the the region, Olmert pointed to Abbas as an pound problems in Pakistan. He suggested night of Wednesday, December 26 and were bilateral talks between the U.S. and Iran as example as someone who changed, became a met by our control officer Jason Jeffreys. legitimate political leader and sees things the path leading us out of this dilemma. The following morning, we met with I told Gen. Majid of my great concern over differently than he did 30 years ago. How- Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, in the situation in Pakistan, the political cri- ever, the question if the two sides can agree his hotel room. President Karzai was in sis, the removal of members of the judiciary on outstanding issues in unknown. He be- Islamabad for officials meetings. President and the imprisonment of citizens. I told him lieves reaching an agreement in 2008 is pos- Karzai stated that U.S. efforts in Afghani- there was great concern in the United States sible but that implementation would take stan are working, roads are being built, and talk of altering U.S. aid to Pakistan’s more time. economies are being turned around and military. Majid asked us to remember that I pressed the Prime Minister about the set- schools are improving. Pakistan is not the U.S. and that their de- tlements controversy raised in the media I pressed President Karzai on the prospects mocracy and institutions are not as strong and directly by the Palestinians. He ex- for victory over the Taliban and Al Qaeda. as ours. He asked us to review the actions plained that he has established a complete He stated that he and President Musharraf taken by the Chief Justice as he claimed he moratorium on new settlements, but that had focused on this issue in their meeting was acting beyond his jurisdiction. Israel can build on plans previously approved earlier and that it was a priority. Karzai Following our meeting with Gen. Majid, we at current sites. We departed the Prime Min- stated that the Taliban is not a long term were received by President Pervez Musharraf ister’s office for our next meeting with For- threat in Afghanistan as they have no pop- at his palace. He expressed his satisfaction eign Minister Tzipi Livni. ular support. The President stated that more with bilateral relations but indicated that I called on Tzipi Livni to get her perspec- must be done to address the sanctuaries, stopping the military cooperation would neg- tive on the Israeli-Palestinian track, Syrian- training grounds and madrasas. atively impact the relationship. I pressed Israeli track and broader regional matters. I asked Karzai about the prospects of Musharraf on the reported misuse of aid and Livni believes Abu Mazen and Salaam catching Osama bin Laden. The President overcharging on reimbursements. The Presi- Fayyad are sincere in their goals for peace told me that he will not be able to hide for- dent objected to the characterization of his and in refraining from using terrorism. She ever and that sooner or later he will be government’s actions claiming that all re- supports the approach of strengthening prag- caught. quests are analyzed, mutually agreed upon matic Palestinians like Abbas and Fayyad. I asked President Karzai about Iran’s pur- and submitted. She went so far as to say that Salaam suit of nuclear weapons. He stated that nu- I asked Musharraf about his efforts to com- Fayyad is a determined person in this proc- clear weapons in the region bring pride and bat terrorism. He generalized about his gov- ess and has exhibited real courage. a sense of security. He stated that Iran and ernment’s efforts to combat the Taliban and I asked the Foreign Minister about eco- the U.S. should open a dialogue, talking pays Al Qaeda. He indicated that actions in Af- nomic development for the Palestinians and and that no one can benefit from confronta- ghanistan have led to an overflow of trouble- the strategy to elevate their situation. She tion. makers in western Pakistan. When I asked if said development was important but that we Following our meeting with President he will catch Osama bin Laden, he responded should not look to it as the sole source to Karzai, we departed for the embassy for the that he, ‘‘can’t say for sure, but we should.’’ bring about change. Minister Livni stated country team briefing led by Ambassador He claimed he does not have the forces re- that Israel cannot afford another terrorist Patterson. quired to search and police some of the areas state, a real partner in peace must be found The delegation, including Ambassador Pat- he may be hiding. and the only way to achieve a Palestinian terson, departed the embassy to our next I informed the President that we want state is through negotiations, not terror. She meeting with General Tariq Majid, Chairman transparency in Pakistan and events such as appreciated the rights of Palestinians and of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Majid’s removal of the Chief Justice cause grave the impacts of security measures, but stated headquarters are located in Rawalpindi—the concern. I told Musharraf responded by say- that Israelis have a right not to live in fear same part of Islamabad where Benazir ing Pakistan has various pillars of govern- and endure terror. Bhutto would be killed later that same day. ment like the U.S. but that their institu- That afternoon, the delegation met with I pressed Gen. Majid on Pakistan’s efforts tions are not as strong and capable as those Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian’s chief nego- to combat Al-Qaeda and locate Osama bin in the U.S. He indicated that the Chief Jus- tiator. I had met with Saeb in the past and Laden. He indicated that he does not know tice had acted inappropriately and that his found him to be an intelligent and insightful where he is but that Pakistan should be able activities included corruption, kickbacks player on understanding the conflict. to find him but that it must be an integrated and inappropriately using his influence, Saeb informed me that the Israelis and and combined effort with U.S. support. which would not be tolerated in the United Palestinians have ‘‘matured’’ and that there I expressed my concern over the problems States. Musharraf stated the Chief Justice is a genuine need for the peace process. He in the FATA region and asked what is being was doing an injustice to Pakistan, inter- expressed his view that the sides are in done to combat the issues plaguing that re- fering in various cases in other courts, ac- agreement on 70 percent of what a pact gion and the country. He responded by tell- tively campaigned in political rallies, trav- would entail but that no outside country can ing me that for many years, Pakistan did eling with his own masked security detail finalize a deal—it must be done by the not have access to the tribal belt but that and interfering with the executive branch in Israelis and Palestinians—it must be done by military forces were now engaged—100,000 ac- privatization matters which had led to Paki- Olmert and Abbas. cording to Majid. stan’s recent economic success. Saeb and I talked about the broader Middle I told the General of my concern over When I pressed Musharraf on the rationale East and regional conflicts. He believes that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and the command of imposing martial law, he stated that the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:12 Mar 19, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2008SENATE\S22JA8.REC S22JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY January 22, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S71 government was weakening, economy declin- of this puzzle, in that you were planning to monies are going in the right direction. We ing and terrorists rising and that it was meet with her at 9 p.m., at the time there. expressed concern about what is happening needed to maintain stability. He stated that SPECTER: Well, Benazir Bhutto was a with the supreme court here. We expressed most people that were detained had been re- very prominent person this year, the leader concern about the state of emergency, but leased. We departed the Presidential Palace of a major party; had a real opportunity to that has been reversed. for a working lunch at the Ambassador’s res- become Prime Minister, a brilliant woman The elections are going forward and he is idence to further evaluate and discuss the with a family background. Her father had our best hope there. It is not a perfect situa- issues confronting Pakistan and our bilat- been Prime Minister. She had been Prime tion. Nothing is. But we have to utilize the eral relationship. Attendees included Ambas- Minister twice. government which is here to help stabilize it sador Patterson, General Helmly, Peter She had a lot of popular support, and she and to move forward. Bodde, Candace Putnam, Jason Jeffreys and was the first woman Prime Minister of Paki- HALL: All right, Senator Arlen Specter the delegation. stan and a very prominent woman inter- from Islamabad. On the afternoon of December 27, we re- nationally, sort of, the symbol of modernity, Thank you very much, Senator, for your ceived word in our control room that there so that it’s a tremendous loss, and we. . . time, just on the very day you were expected had been an incident at a political rally for HALL: And what do you think is the . . . to meet with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Thank you, Senator. Benazir Bhutto. As we were preparing for a SPECTER: . . . we can’t let the terrorists Just before midnight on the night of dinner hosted by President Musharraf we got win. We have to rebound and we have to be sure that democracy moves forward in Paki- Bhutto’s death, we ventured back out into word that she had possibly been injured and the city to go to Bhutto’s local headquarters was taken to the hospital. As I headed to the stan. HALL: But Senator, we’re looking at the to pay our respects. We met with her sup- elevators, Chris Bradish, my deputy, in- porters, gave our condolences and laid flow- formed me that Benazir had died. I had images out of Pakistan, and I don’t want to paint a picture bleaker than it is, but cer- ers beneath a photo of her. known her for nearly 20 years. We were We were scheduled to travel to Lahore the tainly, immediately following the assassina- scheduled to meet with her in her home at 9 following morning to meet with Chaudhry tion, people spilling out into the streets p.m. that night—in approximately 3 hours. Pervaiz Elahi and Mian Shahbaz Sharif and blaming, some of them, anyway, Pervez I received many calls and e-mails from the visit a USAID project. After the State De- Musharraf—quite a picture of instability. U.S. requesting information on the situa- partment consulted with the Pakistani gov- What needs to happen, in your opinion, being tion. Below is a transcript of a phone con- ernment, it was recommended that our dele- there? versation I had with MSNBC: gation cancel the planned trip to Lahore due SPECTER: Well, it is easy to blame people, HALL: On the phone with us now is Sen- to the deteriorating and uncertain security but it’s premature. There has to be an inves- ator ARLEN SPECTER, who is in Islamabad situation. The following morning we left tigation. There has to be determination, to and was, according to what I’m being told, Chakala Airfield for Amman, Jordan. the extent possible, as to what happened. expected to meet with Benazir Bhutto some- When you have an assassination, this sort SYRIA time tonight. Senator, are you there? of a violent act, you have to expect people to On Saturday, December 29 we departed SPECTER: I am. Congressman PATRICK be erupting in the streets. But there will be Amman for Damascus, Syria. Upon arrival at KENNEDY and I were scheduled to meet with a tomorrow. There will be elections here. We Allama Iqbal International Airport, we were Benazir Bhutto this evening. We were sched- have to assert the democratic process and we greeted by CDA Todd Holmstrom and offi- uled to go to a dinner with President have to move forward. cials from our embassy Pamela Mills and Musharraf. We had met with President We cannot let the crazy suicide bombers Katherine Van De Vate. This trip was my Musharraf earlier today and, en route to the take over the world. And that is our job for 17th visit to Syria. dinner, about ready to go, we heard the trag- tomorrow. We proceeded to a working lunch with Mr. ic news. HALL: And still very early into this break- Holmstrom where we discussed the situation HALL: And how did you learn the news, ing news, Senator—again, to update our au- in Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the greater re- sir? dience, we are following developments in gion. Following our lunch we departed for a SPECTER: Watching CNN. We heard, first, Pakistan in the assassination of former meeting with Foreign Minister Walid al- that there had been a suicide bomber at- Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Senator Mouallem. tempt, that Benazir Bhutto was OK. Then we Arlen Specter was expected to meet with her I provided him with a copy of Haaretz heard she’d been hurt, critically, and then this evening. which published the headline: ‘‘Olmert Says the news came in that it had been fatal. Senator Specter, the impact—so many peo- Ball is in Assad’s Court.’’ HALL: And tell us a little bit about what ple are wondering, with Pakistan being so [From Haaretz, Dec. 26, 2007] you were planning to meet with her regard- crucial to this war on terror, that there may OLMERT: BALL ISINASSAD’S COURT ing. We know that Hamid Karzai met with perhaps be a vacuum in that country, now, (By Barak Ravid) her, as well as Pervez Musharraf, on the se- with the assassination having taken place curity issue concerning the border of Af- Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sent a mes- and this could offset all of the work, the $10 sage to Syrian President Bashar Assad yes- ghanistan and Pakistan. What was the focus billion that’s been put into Pakistan and the of your meeting? terday saying he was still waiting for a Syr- support of Pervez Musharraf since 9/11. ian response on the likelihood of renewing SPECTER: Well, Congressman Patrick SPECTER: Well, we are not going to allow negotiations between the two countries. Kennedy and I are in the region. We had been this incident, tragic as it is, to upset the to Israel on our way to Syria. And we had Olmert met yesterday with U.S. Senator very important work at hand. You have the Arlen Specter (Republican-Pennsylvania), meetings with President Musharraf today, Pakistani government working with the and we also saw Afghanistan President who will travel tomorrow for meetings with United States government. They have been Assad’s government. Specter is a big sup- Karzai, who just coincidentally was in town. allies of ours. And we had a meeting with former Prime porter of resuming dialogue with Damascus. We have not been pleased with some of the Much of yesterday’s meeting addressed Minister Benazir Bhutto this evening at nine things that they have done, like having the Syria. During the meeting, Specter asked o’clock Pakistan time, and it was scheduled chief justice under house arrest or having an Olmert whether he wanted to further the then because she had a full day of cam- emergency suspension, which has been elimi- diplomatic process with Syria. Olmert said paigning. nated. that for the past few months he has been ap- And our concerns are about what is hap- But the elections are going forward and we praising whether negotiations could be re- pening here, the stability; what’s happening are going to rebound from this event and do sumed through mediators. with the supreme court; what’s happening what is necessary to defeat the terrorists ‘‘I am still evaluating the Syrian track and with our fight against terrorism, our efforts and to have the democratic elections. We are the degree to which Damascus is serious to capture Osama Bin Laden; and what is not going to give in. about [a peace process],’’ Olmert said. ‘‘I happening to the very substantial funding And we will rebound, and stability will be have not stopped the assessment, but so far the United States has put in here; what the restored after the outbursts which are I have not received a clear answer and I am prospects were for the election. present tonight. It may take some time, but still waiting.’’ I’ve known Benazir Bhutto for the better we’re going to win. Officials in Jerusalem added yesterday: part of two decades, having been visiting her HALL: Senator, do you have confidence in ‘‘Even though Olmert did not ask specifi- in Karachi back in 1988 and when she was Pervez Musharraf and the job that he’s done cally that his message be relayed to Assad, Prime Minister in 1995. And we were looking and doing? we assume that it will be raised during forward to talking to her to get to her eval- SPECTER: I do have confidence. When [Specter’s] talks in Damascus.’’ uation on whether the elections would be Congressman Patrick Kennedy and I met Specter also met with Foreign Minister honest and open, and to get her sense of the with him today, we raised a number of our Tzipi Livni and discussed Syria. situation. concerns in a very candid discussion. Livni did not reject the possibility of re- HALL: And what did you think her—the We are concerned that the substantial U.S. newing negotiations with Syria, but said impact that she played while, of course, she funding be directed toward the specific pur- there was a series of issues troubling Israel. was alive, with her opposition group, and poses of fighting terrorism. And we are ‘‘The Syrians need to show that they are now with her assassination? Obviously, you checking to see if some of it might have been willing to contribute something toward gain- felt that she was important, a critical piece diverted. But by and large, we think the ing the release of the abducted soldiers in

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:12 Mar 19, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2008SENATE\S22JA8.REC S22JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S72 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 22, 2008 the Gaza Strip and in Lebanon, or express Following our meeting at the Ministry of napolis meetings were a significant step for- willingness to end the smuggling of weapons Foreign Affairs, we attended a dinner hosted ward. President Bashar al-Assad had the to Hezbollah, so that we will know that they by the embassy. Civil society leaders were in courage to go there representing Syria, are serious,’’ Livni said. attendance and shared their wide array of meeting with the Israelis, meeting with the This would ‘‘make it easier for us to con- views on the region and U.S. Syrian rela- Palestinians, a meeting attended by Presi- sider negotiations with them,’’ she added. tions. dent Bush, a meeting with the invitations According to an annual assessment pre- The next morning we met with President coming from the Secretary of State, pared by the Foreign Ministry’s research of- Bashar al-Assad. He reiterated what the For- Condoleezza Rice. A very important factor is fice and presented to the Knesset Foreign eign Minister told us of the steps needed to present when President Bush has signified Relations and Defense Committee, ‘‘Damas- bring Israel and Syria closer to the table. He his willingness to participate and interest in cus is interested in a settlement with Israel, stated that there must be U.S. involvement. becoming involved in the Mideast peace but only on its terms and with American in- I told him it would be beneficial to use the process, and that is a significant change as volvement.’’ momentum and attention of Annapolis to to what has been for the first seven years of According to the report, Assad understands show the region, the U.S. and the world that his Administration. that the current American administration is Syria was interested in peace. Assad said he To give you just a little insight into U.S. unwilling to negotiate with him on his was more optimistic about the potential for political activities, with the Congress in the terms, so he is ready to wait until 2009, when success on a Syrian-Israeli agreement after hands of the Democrats; I’m a Republican; a new president is in the White House. Annapolis than before. Congressman Kennedy is a Democrat. But in Walid told me that during Speaker I told Assad that it would be beneficial to the United States, as you may know, Con- PELOSI’s visit, she brought a message from take positive action to show that he is seri- gress is separate. We have separation of pow- Olmert and President Assad responded only ous about peace and that Syria is not med- ers, and we speak independently; even to have Israel deny it made such an overture. dling in Lebanon. I also told him that Syria though the President is of my party, it is the We agreed that certain conversations must would benefit by cooperating with the U.S. tradition of Senators to be independent. But remain out of the press and remain private. on intelligence sharing. Assad told me that what has happened is that the President’s Mouallem outlined a plan he believes crit- there must be political cooperation first— domestic agenda has not been successful be- ical to pushing ahead with the Israeli-Syrian sending an Ambassador to Syria and refrain- cause of the division of power. He had ideas track including Israeli withdrawal from the ing from negative rhetoric would be a good for social security reform, tax reform, immi- Golan and return to the June 4, 1967 borders. first step. gration reform, and that is not productive Walid stated that, based on prior discussions I pressed Assad on the case of missing now. So he is in a position to turn his atten- dating back to 1995, 95 percent of a prospec- Israeli soldiers. He indicated that he had spo- tion to international affairs. tive deal had been agreed upon. ken to Hezbollah and asked them to release There is the potential for a victory for the I said it was good that Syria sent rep- the Israelis but that Hezbollah was waiting President. It would also be a victory for resentatives to Annapolis; and added that for a response from Israel on a prisoner swap Syria if Syria could regain the Golan Olmert was waiting for a signal from Syria. proposal. He said he believed Hezbollah was Heights. It would be a victory for Israel if I pressed him on Lebanon and told him it ready to make a deal and Syria was willing there could be a peace treaty. Right now, was my view that the International Commu- to take messages between the two. He stated Syria and Israel continue to be in a state of nity as well as the United States does not ac- that Egypt was working on the release of the war. Now the President is not going to spend cept that Syria does not have a role in Leb- soldier held by Hamas in Gaza. On the case his time unless there is a realistic possibility anon and that this relationship has a nega- of Ron Arad, Assad stated that he had no in- that something can be worked out, that it tive impact on U.S.-Syrian as well as Israeli- formation on what happened to him. can be fruitful. But he is available, I think, Syrian relations. When I asked Assad about the request for to help on the Palestinian-Israeli track, and Walid stated the need to create a climate a new U.S. mission, he stated that Syria the Syrian-Israeli track can go forward at for peace. Walid stated that French Presi- needed a year to facilitate the development the same time. dent Sarkozy asked President Assad to help of the requisite infrastructure. Assad said It is not to say that there are not prob- elect a president in Lebanon. The Foreign that he was disappointed with the slow lems. Lebanon continues to be a major prob- Minister highlighted the importance of hav- progress but that that bureaucracy had been lem which we all know about. Whether it is ing a consensus candidate and the difficulty the cause of the delay. right or whether it is wrong, there is the of ruling by majority in Lebanon. He stated Following our meeting with President international perception that Syria has that Syria agreed to work with the French Assad, we met with Syrian opposition leader great influence, if not control, in Lebanon. provided that the goal be a consensus unity Riad Seif. Seif shared with us his ongoing Again, I say I make no judgment on the government, not majority rule, the U.S. re- bout with prostate cancer and the difficulty point. I am citing what I think to be the main neutral and France would not back any he has had with the Syrian government lim- international perception. And it would be party. The Foreign Minister provided me iting his ability to seek treatment. Seif said very important if the efforts of Syria and with a document which was presented to the he needs to travel outside of Syria to receive France working together can find an answer Lebanese on the path forward. He stated that the most advanced care which is currently to the Lebanese issue. Congressman Kennedy Syria’s work was done and that it was in not available in Damascus. We discussed his and I discussed this, at some length, last Lebanon’s hands to chart the course forward. activities and those of the National Council I asked him about the prospects of a night in a very long meeting, an hour and a which includes over 160 members and was half, with Foreign Minister Walid al- prompt resolution of the stalemate. Walid formed on December 1. We discussed the told me that the Syrians and French had Moallem and again to some extent with plight of those who have been imprisoned President Bashar al-Assad today. There are been working for 45 days trying to find com- and the repressive acts of the Syrian govern- mon ground. In the end, according to Walid, problems with Hamas and Hizbollah, and ment. again there is the perception that Syria the outcome depends on what the majority The news conference which Representative will give the minority in terms of minister could be helpful in those, in those matters. Kennedy and I had at the Damascus airport So it is overall a very complicated picture. posts. summarizes our meetings in Syria: When I pressed him on Syria’s actions to I’ve been coming to this region, as you may destabilize its neighbor, the Foreign Min- SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER AND REPRESENTA- know, for a long time. I made my first trip ister responded, ‘‘We are not destabilizing TIVE PATRICK KENNEDY REMARKS TO PRESS here in 1984, been here some 16 times. [I] met Lebanon, we are directly impacted. We have AT DAMASCUS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT nine times with President Hafez al-Assad, 250,000 Lebanese as the result of last sum- PRIOR TO DEPARTURE DECEMBER 29, 2007 and now seven times with President Bashar mer’s conflict with Israel, we have 500,000 SENATOR SPECTER: Good afternoon la- al-Assad. It is different this year. It is dif- Palestinian refugees and we have 1.6 million dies and gentlemen, Congressman Kennedy ferent this year from what it was last year. Iraqi refugees.’’ and I had a very productive, lengthy meeting It is my hope that the parties will seize the The Foreign Minister emphasized he did this morning with President Bashar al- moment. not approve of the U.S. holding the Israeli- Assad, and it is my custom not to quote di- Let me yield now to my distinguished col- Syrian track or improved U.S.-Syrian rela- rectly; obviously President Assad speaks for league. tions hostage to the issue of Lebanon. He himself. We had a meeting in the past sev- CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY: I want to say specifically asked that the U.S. not deal with eral days in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime it is an honor to be here. We had a very good Syria only through the lens of Lebanon, Minister Olmert, and again I choose not to meeting with the President, and I was very Hamas and Hezbollah. quote directly, but to give you impressions pleased that the President, when we brought The Foreign Minister rejected my com- as to where I think the situation stands with up the issue of Syria’s moving towards a plaints that Syria was supporting Hamas and respect to the potential for a Syrian-Israeli more representative democracy because of Hezbollah. He said that weapons to Hamas go peace treaty. the fact that the President was very clear through Egypt and that only 20 members of It is my sense that the time is right now, that the kind of American democracy that Hamas were in Syria. He said that resump- and the prospects are very good that the Syr- we have, a Jeffersonian democracy, does not tion of Syrian cooperation on intelligence ians and the Israelis are in a position to pro- necessarily work here in the Middle East. He with the U.S. would depend on better U.S.- ceed to have a peace treaty. I say that be- pointed to the fact that Iraq and Lebanon Syrian relations. cause of a number of factors. One is the An- are perfect examples.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:12 Mar 19, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2008SENATE\S22JA8.REC S22JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY January 22, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S73 I did say, ‘‘Well then, what does work, will be a party to broker conversations. But, QUESTION: The question is there was a where people can have a voice in their gov- this is going to have to evolve step by step Moscow version of Annapolis to discuss ernment?’’ He suggested that a coalition from what has happened at Annapolis and Syria-Israel peace track and to talk about government, where various people, based what the sense is in Jerusalem today and the Golan Heights, and is the Israeli govern- upon the representation of their tribal group what my sense is in Damascus today. ment committed to that? or ethnic group, can speak through their co- Later today I will be in touch with officials SENATOR SPECTER: Well, the question alition, could have a representative govern- in the White House in Washington and also as to whether the Israeli government is com- ment. And I said, ‘‘Well, to that degree then, with officials of the Israeli government in mitted is something only the Israeli govern- is Syria moving towards that regard?’’ He Jerusalem to tell them the conversation ment can answer and it will require the said: ‘‘Well, that will take time.’’ And I said, with President Bashar al-Assad and my sense evolving discussions. I believe the inference ‘‘Well, is it then your policy to jail people as to what ought to be done next. is clear that Israel understands that if there who are outspoken politically to your re- QUESTION: Ziad Haider for Los Angeles is to be a treaty, that the Golan will have to gime? Particularly the Foreign Minister said Times. Senator, could you please elaborate be returned to Syria. I believe that that is it was not the policy of Syria to jail political on your role? Do you have a specific role be- the overhang. Has Prime Minister Olmert opponents, only to jail people who were re- tween the Syrians and the Israelis? Are you told me flatly that he is prepared to give the lated to foreigners in opposing Syria. And so an official mediator between the two sides? Golan Heights back? No. We did not get into I asked about the National Council, the Da- SENATOR SPECTER: What is my role? that detail, but the whole process would not mascus Declaration, because recently they The foreign policy of the United States Gov- make any sense unless Syria gets back the were all detained and put in jail, and they ernment under our Constitution is carried Golan. Now there is going to have to be a are not related to any foreigners. So I asked out by the Executive [Branch]. The Congress working out of the fine lines. There is a ‘‘Why were they put in jail? And have they has very substantial authority on the appro- question about the June 4, 1967, boundary. been, would they be released?’’ and the Presi- priations process, on control of the military, There are questions about security when the dent said that they would be released if they on the authority to declare war, so Congress Golan goes back. There are questions about have not already. I gave him the names, I has very extensive responsibilities. Do I have confidence-building measures. But I think it read the names, and he said they all are re- an official role in the government? is accurate and conclusive to say that Prime leased. Could you read the names? QUESTION: Do you have a personal role? A Minister Olmert wants to have a peace trea- Akram al-Bunni, Walid al-Bunni, Ali specific personal role as a mediator? ty with Syria. Prime Minister Olmert is pre- SENATOR SPECTER: Well, I have de- Abdullah, Fidaa Khourani, Mohammed Yas- pared to do what is necessary, in a reciprocal scribed for you what my undertakings have ser al-Eitti, Jaber al-Shufi, Ahmed Toumeh. arrangement, to get it done. been. They have been to talk to Israeli The President said they were released. The QUESTION: Asaaf Aboud, BBC in Arabic. Prime Minister Olmert and other Israeli offi- President assured me personally that they Senator Specter, you mentioned in your cials—Netanyahu, Barak, and Perez—and to were released. He assured me personally that briefing that this visit is different from pre- talk to President Bashar al-Assad and also they had already been released. Yes. And I vious visits. In what aspect is it different? to Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem. And had the chance also to meet with Riad Seif, Have you reached a specific breakthrough in to convey to President Bashar al-Assad what and I want to say that when I go back to the terms of the Syrian-Israeli peace track, for conversations I had with Prime Minister United States, I am going to nominate Mr. example? Olmert and the others and I will now convey Seif for the Robert F. Kennedy Human SENATOR SPECTER: Well, it is different the conversations back to the Israeli offi- Rights Award, named after my uncle Robert in many ways. When I was here in 1995 and cials. Kennedy. That award is given to a person QUESTION: Senator Specter and Congress- 1996, Netanyahu was Prime Minister, there who has put their life in jeopardy on behalf man Kennedy, what was the content of your had been some conversations about Prime of human rights. As all of you know, Mr. conversations with President Assad and For- Minister Netanyahu holding Syria respon- Seif’s life, he was in jail for standing up for eign Minister regarding the American steps sible for what was going on with Hizbollah. I human rights; his son was incarcerated and with regard to Lebanon, what steps they are carried a message to President Hafez al- has never reappeared. He is fighting on be- going to take in that regard? Are there any Assad and it was, there were disagreements. half of the 19,000 people who have dis- deals which have been talked about? Can you A year ago, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert appeared and never reappeared again. I just confirm that? said he was interested in talks, but did not don’t know anything more frightening than SENATOR SPECTER: Congressman Ken- have the intensity of interest that he has being taken away in the middle of the night nedy and I talked at length with Foreign now. Annapolis is a big change. President and not knowing whether you are ever going Minister Walid al-Moallem and again today Bashar al-Assad had the courage to go in a to return to your family again. to some extent with President Bashar al- difficult situation and made progress. Now, And for all of you to know, I say this to my Assad. We are looking for an answer there. most of all, as I explained at some length, own government when they are wrong as Congressman Kennedy referenced the fact President Bush is willing to participate. To well. I say it all over the world wherever that we understand that it is not possible to have the President of the United States in- there are problems, and certainly when there have the same kind of democracy in Lebanon volved is a big plus if the parties will take are problems at home I write letters about like we have in the United States, that what advantage of it. It is a very different atmos- my own government’s mistreatment of they are looking for is a consensus democ- phere today, in Damascus, in Jerusalem and human rights. So it is universal wherever it racy, that you can’t have the majority gov- in Washington. Big difference. is. I would hope that someone over here ern the country effectively, but with all the Let me see how many more questions are would speak up on my behalf if they were various factions, there has to be a consensus. there? I don’t want to cut anyone short, but over in my country, just as I would hope that Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem gave to I’ll know long my answers will be. One, two, I could speak up on someone else’s behalf if Congressman Kennedy and me a document three questions. I were over in their country, because it which the Syrians and the French have QUESTION (Elaph): This is a question for doesn’t matter what country we are in; we agreed to as the basis for adjusting the situa- Representative Kennedy. You mentioned are all human beings. We are not Syrians; we tion and going forward with elections in Leb- that regarding the Damascus Declaration de- are not Americans; we are human beings anon. With respect to Israeli Prime Minister tainees, that you expressed concern over first, and we ought to be treated as human Olmert, we talked about Lebanon to some their human rights, et cetera. And you did beings. extent, but Israel does not factor into being mention in your statement also that you are QUESTION: Khalid Ouweiss from Reuters: a determinative factor there. Prime Minister willing to accept somebody from Syria to Senator Specter, what is the next step to re- Olmert is concerned about Hizbollah, con- criticize the violation of human rights in the sume peace negotiations between Israel and cerned about potential Syrian support for United States. The lady is from Elaph News Syria? What needs to be done? Have you Hamas, but the answers in Lebanon are Agency, or website; she is saying that the heard of any compromises on both sides? Can going to have to come through the efforts of Syrian opposition have, they interpret, they you tell us in forthright and certain terms the Lebanese themselves with the assistance are critical of foreign intervention in local what needs to be done and when and when do of Syria and France. politics here, even on the human rights level. you expect it to be done? QUESTION: Lina Sinjab, BBC World News: They would understand that if an American SENATOR SPECTER: The next step will Senator Specter, you mentioned, you talked writer or a journalist would be critical of the be the arrival of President Bush in the Mid- about the importance of getting Syria and human rights situation here, but they view dle East in the course of the next week to Israel back to the peace track and Syria’s at- with caution the intervention of foreign offi- ten days. And the focus will be on the Pales- tendance in Annapolis was provided to have cials in the local political scene, the same tinian-Israeli track. But I think there will a Moscow version of Annapolis to talk about way as a Syrian official would not interfere also be an opportunity to get a sense for the Syrian-Israeli peace track. Are the in the local political scene in the U.S. What what is happening in the region more broad- Israelis committed to that? Is Olmert’s gov- would be your comment to that? ly, including the Syrian-Israeli track. The ernment committed to attend the Moscow CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY: That makes parties are going to have to initiate, or con- version of Annapolis and what is going to no sense. The greatest human rights people tinue talks through intermediaries. It is my happen next? in the world have their voice because they hope, really expectation, that at some point SENATOR SPECTER: The question is, is transcend political boundaries of any nation when some preliminary progress has been Olmert committed to the peace track and state. They are human beings. They speak to made that the United States government what will happen next? the human consciousness that is universal.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:12 Mar 19, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2008SENATE\S22JA8.REC S22JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S74 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 22, 2008 We are not Syrians, [or] Americans; there’s morning and spent some very quality time matter of national pride and is a lucrative the great Niemuller quote after Auschwitz: together. trade. ‘‘First they came for the Catholics, and I Thank you very, very much. When solicited about his views on Presi- wasn’t a Catholic, so I did not speak up. We departed directly from the meeting for dent Putin’s idea to have Russia handle Then they came for the laborers, and I the airport en route to Vienna, Austria. Dur- Iran’s nuclear material, he stated that Iran wasn’t a laborer, so I did not speak up. Then ing the flight, I had to opportunity to brief did not reject it but that they wanted their they came for the Jews, and I was not a Jew, National Security Advisor Hadley on my vis- own capability. He suggested that an accept- so I did not speak up. Then they came for its to Pakistan, Syria and Israel. Because able security structure must be negotiated me, and there was no one left to speak up.’’ the connection was not good, I called Hadley with Iran to deter them. The DG agreed that QUESTION: You talk about the return of from Vienna on a hard line for a more exten- it is not acceptable for Iran to have nuclear dialogue between Damascus and Washington. sive discussion. weapons and that his job was to verify that But we know that such a dialogue should be the program is clean and under IAEA inspec- conducted through diplomatic channels, at AUSTRIA tions. least this is the level which is a reasonable Upon arrival in Vienna, we were met by I pressed him on Iran’s devious behavior in level. But as we know, there is no American Michael Spring, our control officer and the past to conceal nuclear efforts and asked ambassador to Damascus. So have you been Christian Ludwig, a foreign service national. if we can ever be 100 percent sure. He stated talking about the possibility of returning an The following morning we traveled to the that you can never be 100 positive but that American ambassador to Damascus? U.S. embassy for a country team briefing. he thinks Iran has things to tell him and SENATOR SPECTER: The issue about a Vienna is a unique location in that the U.S. that he has told them they should come U.S. ambassador to Damascus, I think, in has multi-missions: one to the Austrian gov- clean. the eyes of President Bush turns on Lebanon ernment, the OSCE and the United Nations. The Director General suggested that direct today. The Ambassador was withdrawn when CDA Scott Kilner led the briefing which in- U.S.-Iranian negotiations should begin im- the assassination of Prime Minister Harari cluded representatives from the FBI, DHS mediately to resolve the impasse. The U.S. [Hariri]. I think that is a decision which only and the United States Military. In all, the and international community need to under- the President can make, and I believe that U.S. has 24 government agencies represented stand what the nuclear issue means to Iran he is not yet ready to make it, but perhaps— in Austria. We discussed the problem, one with respect to its position in the region and it’s his decision, I’ll emphasize—when things which is not only faced by the State Depart- the world, that there needs to be an under- improve, an ambassador will come back. ment, that there is not enough funding for standing of the repercussions and that it QUESTION: You talked about Netanyahu certain government bodies. must be done in a manner that allows all in the previous visits you did. But do you We discussed Austria’s role in the inter- sides to save face. feel after this visit that the current Israeli national community and more specifically We discussed Secretary Rice’s precondition government is willing to return the Golan their identity in Europe, their relationship that the U.S. would only meet with Iran if Heights in return for a peace treaty with with the EU, their bilateral relationship they halt enrichment. He said there must be Syria? with the Czech Republic and their views on middle ground to bring the parties together SENATOR SPECTER: Well, I repeat that I nuclear energy and missile defense. The on this issue. He emphasized that sanctions do not speak for the Israeli government. I group noted that Austria is currently cam- alone won’t resolve the situation and only started off by saying it is not my practice to paigning for a seat on the UN Security Coun- makes people more hawkish. Iran’s conceal- quote President Bashar al-Assad or to quote cil. We discussed terrorism, the IAEA, ment of its R&D program, according to the Israeli Prime Minister Olmert or to quote Kosovo, energy security, Afghanistan and Director, led to a confidence deficit in the anybody, but to tell you what my impres- the changing demographics of Europe. We international community. sions are from the extended conversations discussed the situation in Iran and our mis- I asked about the capabilities of an inspec- which we have had. But we know that in sion’s efforts to process and assist Iranian tion regime given Iran’s substantial size. He confirmed the need to have a robust 1995, when Prime Minister Rabin negotiated refugees. for Israel with President Hafez al-Assad, the Following the country team briefing, I verification system on the ground. Baradei deal was to return the Golan. We know that briefed Secretary of State Rice by telephone stated that the Additional Protocol to the when Prime Minister Barak negotiated in on some aspects of our discussions in Syria. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was the year 2000 with President Hafez al-Assad, I met with Dr. Ferdinand Trautmannsdorf, helpful but that Iran stopped implementing the deal was to return the Golan. There was the Director of International Legal Affairs it. The Additional Protocol was the result of some disagreement as to precisely where the and Thomas Mayr-Harting, the Political Di- an IAEA initiative to better constrain NPT member-states’ ability to illicitly pursue nu- line would be on the June 4, 1967, line. rector of the Austrian Foreign Ministry. The The core of any agreement, I think, is ac- clear weapons after secret nuclear weapons officials were very interested in my recent cepted that the Golan is going to have to programs in Iraq and North Korea exposed travels especially the situation in Pakistan. come back. But only the parties can speak weaknesses in existing agency safeguards. We had a substantial discussion about Iran, for themselves. Forty years later, it is a very That effort eventually produced a voluntary to include the impact of the NIE in Europe. strategic difference. You have rockets; you Additional Protocol, designed to strengthen I pressed them on Austria’s significant stake have very different issues of security than and expand existing IAEA safeguards for in OMV, an Austrian industrial firm which you had 40 years ago when the Golan was verifying that non-nuclear-weapon states- has dealings with Iran. They responded by taken by Israel. I think it is fair and accu- parties to the nuclear Nonproliferation Trea- saying that the government does not have rate to say, in a very complex context, that ty (NPT) only use nuclear materials and fa- if there is no Golan return, there is no deal. the ability to influence OMV—a statement cilities only for peaceful purposes. He stated That is the core of the deal. Then there has with which I disagreed strongly. that the Protocol gives him a good handle on On January 2, 2008, we met with Geoff to be reciprocity. But nobody from the Iran’s nuclear program in that it provides United States, including the President, can Pyatt from our mission prior to our meet- access to additional facilities and informa- speak for Israel or for Syria. That’s why it is ings at the United Nations. We discussed the tion. important that the parties come forward at IAEA and the issues surrounding Iran’s nu- We discussed other issues confronting the this time. I do not believe there will be a clear program. Middle East such as the Palestinian question time this opportune, after Annapolis, and in We departed the hotel for our meeting with and Pakistan. I expressed my concern over the last year of a presidency where the Presi- Dr. Mohamed El-Baradei, the Director Gen- the controls Pakistan has on its nuclear ar- dent has so many domestic problems, that he eral of the International Atomic Energy senal. Baradei agreed with my assessment has time and interest in coming to the Agency (IAEA). I had spoken to Dr. Baradei and stated his first concern is those coun- Israel-Palestinian issue and the Syrian- about two months before by telephone when tries that already possess weapons. In the Israeli issue. he extended an invitation to me to visit him case of Pakistan, he stated his concern about Congressman Kennedy and I thank you for in Vienna to discuss further the issues sur- those weapons falling under militant con- your attention. The presence of a free press rounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. trol. is very, very important in our society, and Dr. Baradei shared his view that the Mid- Following our meeting with Dr. Baradei, Congressman Kennedy has spoken about our dle East is in disarray and almost in civil we met with the United Nations office on interest in human rights. He spoke very elo- war. I asked him about his views on Iran and Drugs and Crime. Dr. Thomas Pietschmann quently about that issue. Officials have a his concept of seeking a ‘‘confession’’ from from the Research and Analysis Section and standing to talk about human rights, as well them on their nuclear agenda. He stated that an expert on Afghanistan, Mr. Jean-Luc as journalists. You journalists have unique the problems between the U.S. and Iran go Lemahieu, an Afghanistan expert and Mat- standing, but so do officials. But we admire back to 1953 with the CIA’s intervention, the thew Nice, a synthetic drug expert provided what you are doing and your efforts in reign of the Shah and the embassy hostage a detailed brief on the UN’s efforts globally spreading the word as to what Congressman situation and that these events have led to with a focus on Afghanistan. We discussed Kennedy and I have said today. We hope distrust and a lot of emotion on both sides. the patterns and trends in illicit drug pro- we’ll be helpful in getting the word out that Iran’s rationale for going underground with duction, trafficking and abuse. The group something very constructive can be done its nuclear program was that they could not provided significant data on cultivation, soon. do it above ground. The Director General eradication and supply and demand. Fol- One final comment: Mrs. Assad and my stated that Iran does not want to rely on lowing the briefing we flew from Vienna to wife Joan had a very pleasant meeting this others to enrich uranium and that it is a Brussels, Belgium.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:12 Mar 19, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2008SENATE\S22JA8.REC S22JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY January 22, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S75 BELGIUM According to a January 1, 2008 article in American Revolution Center on a 78- On January 3, we met with Victoria The Guardian, you told reporters, ‘‘That’s acre parcel of land that is within the Nuland, the U.S. Ambassador to the North what she was going to explain to the U.S. federally authorized boundary of Val- Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). We Senators.’’ ‘‘We have a lot of evidence that ley Forge National Historical Park but discussed a wide range of topics to include the government is involved in rigging. It was not owned by the National Park Serv- NATO’s involvement in Afghanistan, the going to be discussed on that evening.’’ I am very interested in examining any material ice. The 78-acre parcel is part of a larg- NATO-Russian dynamic, NATO expanding er 125-acre tract of land that is in dan- global partnerships, the EU-NATO relation- that your party may have prepared for my ship, Kosovo and missile defense. review. ger of housing development. Not only On January 4, we departed for our return Americans are closely watching what is would the American Revolution Cen- to the United States. happening in Pakistan. Any help you can ter, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, provide in shedding light on this tragic event develop a museum dedicated to the U.S. SENATE, may further the investigation into Ms. Revolutionary War, but it would also Washington, DC, January 2, 2008. Bhutto’s death, as well as help to ensure that preserve the remaining 47 acres as open Hon. BAN KI-MOON, the upcoming elections are free and fair. space. I Thank you for your consideration of this Secretary-General of the United Nations, I have supported appropriating Fed- New York, NY. request. I look forward to your response. My best. eral funding to acquire the aforemen- DEAR SECRETARY-GENERAL: In light of the tioned land that is in jeopardy of resi- uncertainty on who assassinated former Sincerely, Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and ARLEN SPECTER. dential development. In fiscal year the impact of her assassination on the pend- 2005, I helped secure $1.5 million for the ing Pakistani elections. I urge the United U.S. SENATE, National Park Service to begin acquir- Nations, either alone or in conjunction with Washington, DC. ing 85 acres that were related to the the Musharraf government of Pakistan, to MR. ASIF ALI ZARDARI: Please accept my 125-acre tract that is now connected appoint an investigating commission. sincere condolences on the loss of your wife. with the American Revolution Center. Since my wife and I first visited your wife Since President Musharraf has already In fiscal years 2006 and 2007, I supported suggested an international investigation, in Kurachi some twenty years ago, and in follow-up meetings when she was Prime Min- the appropriation of $9 million and $3.1 joint action by the U.N. would be consistent million, respectively, for the Park with Pakistani sovereignty. Even without ister in Islamabad and thereafter in Wash- the voluntary joinder of the Musharraf gov- ington, I have had great respect and admira- Service to complete the 125-acre acqui- ernment, it is obvious that a U.N. tion for her. sition. However, due to increasing fis- investigatian would have greater public As you may know, Representative Patrick cal constraints, no funding was avail- credibility. Kennedy and I were scheduled to meet with able at that time to continue the In making this recommendation, I recol- Ms. Bhutto at 9 p.m. on December 27, 2007, project. Additionally, in fiscal year lect the action taken by President Lyndon and were shocked by the assassination. I 2004, I helped secure $5 million for the have noted in the press that the Honorable Johnson within seven days after the assas- National Park Service to acquire other sination of President John F. Kennedy to ap- Sarfraz Khan Lashari was quoted in a Janu- ary 1, 2008 article in the Guardian that Ms. land within the Valley Forge boundary point an independent investigating commis- to also prevent it from housing devel- sion. Bhutto was going to turn over evidence of As you may know, Representative Patrick election-rigging to Representative Kennedy opment. Kennedy, member of the U.S. House of Rep- and me at our meeting. By the American Revolution Center resentatives (D–RI), and I were scheduled to With this letter, I am enclosing for you a taking possession of this land, it is eas- meet with Ms. Bhutto at 9 p.m. an Thursday, copy of my letter to Mr. Lashari. ing the financial and obligatory burden December 27th. She had called for that late If you have any such evidence in your pos- of the Federal Government to preserve meeting because she was fully engaged in session and would care to transmit it to me, this sacred ground. Additionally, I am I would be very pleased to receive it. campaigning that day. As Representative confident that those in charge of the KENNEDY and I were preparing to depart for I am sure you will be interested to know that I wrote to UN Secretary General Ban administration of the American Revo- a dinner with President Musharraf at 7 p.m. lution Center will be responsible stew- and the later meeting with Ms. Bhutto, we Ki-Moon on January 2, 2008 calling for an were informed of her assassination. international investigation of the assassina- ards of the historical integrity of the I am further concerned by a report in the tion. I have not yet had a response. land and ensure its conservation for Boston Globe from January 2, 2008 picking I am also writing today to the UN Sec- generations to come. I am also con- up a Washington Post story by Griff Witte retary General urging that the United Na- fident that the Lower Providence and Emily Wax which says: tions set up a standing investigating com- Township managers, the local gov- ‘‘Senator Latif Khosa, a lawmaker from mission which would be available to move erning branch, will appropriately man- quickly to investigate any future assassina- Bhutta’s Pakistan Peoples Party, said she age the zoning ordinance for the 125- had planned to give the lawmakers (referring tions. With this letter I am enclosing copies of acre tract under current direction of to Representative KENNEDY and myself) a re- the American Revolution Center to port outlining complaints an ‘pre-poll rig- both those letters for you. ging’ by Musharraf’s government and the Again, my condolences. Let me know if I guarantee its conservation should the military-run Inter-Services Intelligence Di- can be of further assistance. museum ever vacate the property. rectorate.’’ My best. Thus, recognizing the importance of In a matter of this sort it is to be expected, Sincerely, Valley Forge to the founding of the based on what happened following the assas- ARLEN SPECTER. United States, the creation of a mu- sination of President Kennedy, to have a f seum to celebrate its history and pre- wide range of allegations and conspiracy AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY serve the park’s integrity is a positive theories. CENTER development. Local government deci- It would be expected that expert investiga- sions regarding private land use ought tive bodies like the FBI and Scotland Yard Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I wish to be respected, and I strongly urge the and other national, reputable investigating to discuss the current situation with organizations would be willing to undertake Department of the Interior, the Na- regard to siting of the American Revo- tional Park Service, and the American such an investigation under the name of the lution Center at Valley Forge, a mu- United Nations. Revolution Center to work coopera- Sincerely, seum dedicated to interpreting, hon- tively to expedite the creation of this ARLEN SPECTER. oring, and celebrating the complete museum, which is long overdue. story of the entire American Revolu- f U.S. SENATE, tion, within Valley Forge National His- Washington, DC, January 22, 2008. torical Park in Pennsylvania. U.S. SENATE TRAVEL Hon. SARFRAZ KHAN LASHARI, I have been working with the Amer- REGULATIONS UPDATE Election Monitor, ican Revolution Center for a number of Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I Pakistan People’s Party years, and there has been no shortage wish to inform all Senators that the DEAR MR. LASHARI: It is my understanding of challenges. The current challenge is that Ms. Bhutto may have intended to Committee on Rules and Administra- present me with a report detailing election related to zoning issues in Lower Prov- tion has updated the U.S. Senate Trav- fraud in Pakistan’s upcoming election at the idence Township, Montgomery County. el Regulations to include two changes. time of our scheduled meeting on December The township has approved a zoning or- First, P.L. 110–81 requires the Rules 27, 2007. dinance to enable development of the Committee to make certain changes to

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