Jeff Flake: “the Flake-Gilman-Cantor-Wexler amendment is a bipartisan straightforward resolution condemning the remarks of Syrian…”

“the Flake-Gilman-Cantor-Wexler amendment is a bipartisan straightforward resolution condemning the remarks of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. On March 27 at the first regular Arab summit gathering in more than 10 years, President Assad used his speech to lash out against Israel. In electing Mr. Sharon to be their leader, President Assad said Israelis ``had chosen a man who hated anything to do with Arabs and had dedicated his career to killing them.'' President Assad continued by saying, ``We say that the head of the government is a racist, it's a racist government, a racist army and security force.'' ``It is a racist society and it is even more racist than the Nazis.'' Mr. Chairman, as if President Assad's remarks back in March were not enough, he reiterated his anti-Semitic remarks 11 days ago in his welcoming speech to Pope John Paul, II, in Damascus. In both cases, the administration has been swift to condemn Assad's remarks. The time has now come for Members of the House to go on record condemning these inflammatory remarks and express its support for people of Israel. Finally, President Assad's remarks illustrate a counterproductive pattern beginning there. These types of actions will only have a negative impact on the region in this time of crisis. This amendment sends a message that the United States opposes this type of speech by world leaders. For this reason, I urge my colleagues to support the en bloc amendment.”