Francis Maloney: “I rise in support of the conference agreement, and wish to discuss one important aspect of it. Mr. Speaker, the…”

“I rise in support of the conference agreement, and wish to discuss one important aspect of it. Mr. Speaker, the conference report includes an amendment that tracks legislation that I introduced early in this session. My bill, the Arab Boycott Arms Sales Prohibition Act, would bar United States weapons sales to countries that participate in the Arab boycott of Israel. I am pleased Congressman Tom Lantos offered a version of my bill as a successful amendment to the foreign aid bill which passed the House, and that this language is included in the bill that we are considering today. Mr. Speaker, the economic boycott has always been one of the most pernicious weapons in the Arab arsenal against Israel. And since this discriminatory policy also targets firms that do business with Israel, United States companies have lost countless jobs and untold dollars. It is particularly noteworthy that Kuwait and Saudi Arabia--two countries for whom American soldiers lost their lives only 3 years ago--still participate in the boycott. The well-publicized account of Kuwait's ban of the film 'Schlinder's List'--because Stephen Spielberg is Jewish--is but one illustration of the backwardness of this policy. Arab countries which still backlist American firms cannot be rewarded. The provision in the conference agreement represents a solid step forward in our efforts to end the boycott. I urge the adoption of the conference report.”