Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I wish today to emphasize the hope all Texans and all Americans have for continued progress in the Middle East peace…”

“I wish today to emphasize the hope all Texans and all Americans have for continued progress in the Middle East peace talks as heads of state of Arab countries begin a summit meeting in Cairo, Egypt. These leaders are meeting the same week that Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu presented his new cabinet to the Israeli Knesset for approval. Prime Minister-elect Netanyahu has expressed his own support for peace by listing as a guideline of his new Government that "Israel will work to broaden the circle of peace with all of its neighbors." Mr. President, the United States must continue to be an important influence for peace in the Middle East and throughout the world. President Clinton himself recently stated that he hopes the Arab leaders who attend this summit will "give Mr. Netanyahu an opportunity to constitute his government and set a policy and not presume that we can't pursue peace." Under these circumstances, Mr. President, I know that it is the hope of my colleagues here, and people all across America that the governments attending the summit in Cairo, and governments throughout the Middle East, reaffirm their commitment to a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.”