SENATORS
McCONNELL AND FEINSTEIN INTRODUCE
THE
MIDDLE EAST COMPLIANCE ACT OF 2001
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today introduced legislation requiring the Administration to determine and report to Congress whether or not the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) has lived up to its commitments under the 1993 Oslo Accords to renounce violence and cease using terrorist tactics against Israel.
"For nearly a year, Palestinians extremists have waged a guerilla war against the people of Israel, causing death and destruction in discos, pizza parlors, cafes, and in the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv," said McConnell. "Instead of speaking the language of peace, Mr. Arafat has allowed terrorists free reign in the West Bank and Gaza. One wonders how much more of this terror Israel can - and should - endure."
"The Palestinian use of violence against Israel over the past 10 months runs contrary to what is expected of a peace partner, and Mr. Arafat must understand that allowing an atmosphere of violence and terror to continue will not and can not lead to peace," Feinstein said. "This legislation sends a clear message to Mr. Arafat that the United States believes that he must live up to the commitments he made at Oslo in 1993 to end the terror and the violence which has caused so much bloodshed and suffering on both sides."
Under this legislation, if the Administration determines that the PLO's actions are contrary to their commitments, then the President is required to immediately suspend all assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, except humanitarian aid. The President is also required to initiate additional sanctions against the PLO, which may include denying visas to senior officials and downgrading their representative office in the United States."The violence and terror committed against Israeli citizens by Palestinian extremists is heartbreaking and deplorable," said McConnell. "The time has come to make clear the intentions of Mr. Arafat and the PLO, and this bill will accomplish just that."
"If Mr. Arafat and the Palestinians remain unwilling to end the violence and the terror, then they must understand that there will be very real consequences, and that the campaign of terrorism and violence will not continue without a price," Feinstein said.
In addition to introducing the legislation as a stand-alone bill, Senators McConnell and Feinstein intend to offer the legislation as an amendment to the FY'02 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.
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