III
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 143
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPTEMBER 14 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 7), 1993
Received
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Congress concerning the historic
opportunity for peace in the Middle East.
Whereas the conflict in the Middle East has caused untold
suffering for many decades;
Whereas the people of the State of Israel have the right to
live in peace within secure and recognized borders;
Whereas successive administrations of the United States Gov-
ernment have worked diligently to achieve a just and last-
ing peace in the Middle East;
Whereas under the leadership of President Carter, Israeli
Prime Minister Begin and Egyptian President Sadat
signed the historic Camp David Accords of 1978;
HCON 143 RDS
Whereas under the leadership of President Bush, a dialogue
among the parties to the Middle East conflict was initi-
ated at Madrid in October 1991;
Whereas this dialogue was continued through the strong and
constructive efforts of President Clinton and his adminis-
tration;
Whereas the Government of Norway, through its Foreign
Minister, played an instrumental role in facilitating the
negotiations that led to the signing of the Declaration of
Principles between Israel and the Palestine Liberation
Organization;
Whereas the Palestine Liberation Organization has recog-
nized the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and
security, announced that it renounces terrorism and other
acts of violence, and agreed to amend its charter to delete
all references to the destruction of the State of Israel;
Whereas the State of Israel has recognized the Palestine Lib-
eration Organization as the representative of the Pal-
estinian people;
Whereas Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization
have agreed to a Declaration of Principles concerning an
interim period of limited autonomy for Palestinians on
the West Bank and in Gaza; and
Whereas many difficult issues remain to be resolved in future
discussions: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) supports the agreement between Israel and
the Palestine Liberation Organization, and hopes it
will serve as an historic opportunity to move toward
HCON 143 RDS
a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle
East;
(2) applauds the efforts of the Clinton adminis-
tration to facilitate these developments;
(3) welcomes the decision of the Palestine Lib-
eration Organization to recognize the State of Israel
and to renounce terrorism and other acts of violence
and accept the path of peaceful coexistence;
(4) welcomes the decision of the State of Israel
to enter into this Declaration of Principles, and reaf-
firms its commitment to helping assure the contin-
ued security of the State of Israel;
(5) commends all those who have worked dili-
gently to achieve these accords;
(6) encourages all parties to the Middle East
peace process to continue to work vigorously in the
pursuit of a comprehensive peace for the region; and
(7) endorses continuing United States engage-
ment in the peace process, and is committed to sup-
porting efforts to make this agreement a success.
Passed the House of Representatives September 14,
1993.
Attest:
DONNALD K. ANDERSON,
Clerk.