James A. Leach: “Mr. Speaker, the thrust of this resolution is four-fold: A, it reflects America's concern for terrorism as an instrument…”

“Mr. Speaker, the thrust of this resolution is four-fold: A, it reflects America's concern for terrorism as an instrument to advance political advantage. B, it expresses sympathy to the families of both innocent Israelis and Palestinians who have lost lives in this struggle. C, it commends the President for his vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side and, thus, implicitly affirms the peace process that the President has so wisely helped precipitate. D, it is implicitly designed to empower the new government of the Palestinian Authority. The goal is to strengthen those who have the best chance of negotiating a long-term resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue. Here let me note that at the Aqaba summit, King Abdullah of Jordan turned to the Israeli and Palestinian Prime Ministers and said, 'Prime Minister Sharon, Prime Minister Abbas, I urge you today to end the designs of those who seek destruction, annihilation, and to have the will to begin to realize our dreams of peace, prosperity, and coexistence.' This sentiment is what we ask the international community to follow.”