H. Con. Res. 218 does just that. It urges the various factions and the nations of the region to use all avenues to work toward peace and stability in Afghanistan. The H. Con. Res. was considered by the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee on March 5 and favorably reported to the Full Committee. I want to particularly recognize the interest and strong encouragement I received on the subject of Afghanistan from the gentleman from California, Mr. Rohrabacher, among other Members who have been very interested, understandably, in this subject. I urge my colleagues to endorse this strong message in support of peace in Afghanistan. I yield back the balance of my time. Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Bereuter. I recognize the gentlewoman from California, Mrs. Capps. Mrs. CAPPS. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, this is a constructive resolution. The gentleman from Nebraska is to be commended for his leadership in bringing it before the Committee and for working closely with his colleagues on this side of the aisle on the final pas sage. There are few nations in the world today whose prospects look bleaker than Afghanistan. The scene of bitter fighting for more than 18 years, Afghanistan today is virtually forgotten by the international community and this resolution seeks to refocus world attention upon Afghanistan. It calls for an end to fighting in Afghanistan, for respect for human rights, and for the eradication of the heroin trade and the export of terrorism. This resolution deserves our support and I urge its adoption. Chairman GILMAN. I thank the gentlewoman for her comments. Mr. Rohrabacher. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, I support this amendment but, just for the record, I would feel much more comfortable with an amendment that singles out the Taliban for the sins of what is going on in Afghanistan. I mean I don't think that the increased heroin trade is the fault of continuing conflict. Those of us who have studied the situation in Afghanistan understand that almost all the heroin produced in Afghanistan today is produced in those areas under the domination of the Taliban and under areas that have been under Taliban domination for well over a year or 2 years now. The same way with international terrorists that are finding safe haven in Afghanistan, these people are finding their safe haven and setting up their camps in the areas that are under control of the Taliban. The Taliban, as most of us are aware, are probably the greatest abusers of human rights for women in the world and, in fact, should their brand of Islam catch on in the Third World, it would be a catastrophe for the female half of this planet whose rights have been expanding up until now in this century, but it would be a giant step backwards if Islam accepts this anti-female approach that the Taliban represent, and then throughout the Third World where Islam holds sway, that women's rights would be abused in such a heinous way. So, while supporting the amendment, I would prefer that people understand that it is not just ongoing chaos in Afghanistan, the Taliban are at fault for most of these things, and the U.S. policy, as far as I am concerned, is weighted in favor of the Taliban. And with that said, I do support this amendment, however. Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Rohrabacher. Are any other Members seeking recognition? [No response.] Chairman GILMAN. I want to thank the chairman of Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, Mr. Bereuter, and its Ranking Minority Member, Mr. Berman, for crafting this important piece of legislation. H. Con. Res. 218 calls attention to the urgent needs of the Afghan people who have been suffering for years from the aftermath of the cold war. The current civil conflict has led to a breakdown in their civil society and large areas of Afghanistan are now training grounds for terrorism and the world's largest production grounds for opium. Millions of land mines are killing scores of people daily and women are treated as chattels, as the gentleman has indicated. The war has created a huge humanitarian crisis in the north where more than 2 million refugees are in need of humanitarian assist ance. We commend our colleague, Congressman Rohrabacher, for filling in for the State Department and USAID by raising the funds to ship planeloads of medical equipment to those refugees, and I hope the Administration takes this resolution as a signal that it should be doing much more to resolve the crisis there, and it especially supports the inter-Afghan dialog process which would serve as a long-term solution to the problems. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution. [No response.] Chairman GILMAN. If not, without objection, the amendment in the nature of a substitute is adopted and the gentleman from Nebraska is recognized to offer a motion. Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Chairman be requested to seek consideration of this measure, as amended, on the suspension calendar. Chairman GILMAN. The question is on the motion by the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter. As many as in favor of the motion, signify by stating aye. [Chorus of ayes.] Chairman GILMAN. As many as opposed, say no. [No noes.] Chairman GILMAN. The ayes appear to have it, the ayes do have it. The motion is agreed to. Further proceedings on this measure are postponed. Chairman GILMAN. The Chair now lays before the Committee a joint resolution relating the State of Israel. The clerk will report the title of the joint resolution. Ms. BLOOMER. House Joint Resolution 102, expressing the sense of the Congress on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel. Chairman GILMAN. This resolution is in the original jurisdiction of the Full Committee. Without objection, the clerk will read the preamble and operative language of the jsaoint resolution in that order for amendment. Ms. BLOOMER. Whereas, on November 29, 1947, the U.N. General Assembly voted to partition the British Mandate of Palestine Chairman GILMAN. Without objection, the Joint Resolution will be considered as having been read and is open to amendment at any point. [H. J. Res. 102 appears in the appendix.] This resolution was introduced on November 7th by Mr. Lantos, and referred to our Committee. I now recognize the gentleman-I ask unanimous consent that the statement of Mr. Lantos be entered into the record at this point. [The prepared statement of Mr. Lantos on H. J. Res. 102 appears in the appendix.] Chairman GILMAN. Is there any Member seeking recognition? Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, Congressman Tom Lantos is to be commended for introducing this timely resolution. I want to commend you, Mr. Chairman, for bringing this resolution before the Committee today. The rebirth of the modern State of Israel is one of the most remarkable stories in human history. The United States has been a good friend and partner of Israel from its first hours. It is altogether fitting that we commemorate Israel's 50th anniversary. I want to join my colleagues in working on behalf of the wishes expressed in the last resolved clause of this resolution, which is working for a peaceful, prosperous and successful future for the State of Israel and her people. I urge an aye vote on H.J. Resolution 102. Chairman GILMAN. I thank the gentlelady from California for her comments. Are any other Members seeking recognition? [No response.] Chairman GILMAN. I want to commend our colleague, Mr. Lantos, for sponsoring this measure which expresses the sense of Congress on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our Nation and the State of Israel. Over 50 years ago, the U.N. General Assembly voted to partition the British Mandate of Palestine and, through that vote, to create the State of Israel. It is one of the few positive initiatives that the United Nations has done for Israel. Fifty years later, it should take another step now and admit Israel to the Western European and Others Group, the WEOG group. But on May 14th, 1948, Israel became a sovereign state and the U.S. Government recognized that state. The modern State of Israel was reborn after thousands of years, thanks to the leadership and years of dedicated commitment by Theodore Herzl and those who followed his vision. The reestablished State became a homeland for Jews who survived Hitler's slaughter, as well as those who fled the Arab lands and other countries in which they had been persecuted. Despite the difficulties, Israel has absorbed hundreds of thousands of Jews over the past five decades and has become a thriving multi-cultural democracy that holds a special place as an ally of our nation. The special relationship that we in our Nation share with Israel is based on democratic values, common strategic interests and moral bonds of friendship and mutual respect. Israel has been a strong and trusted friend and an important strategic partner. H.J. Res. 102, therefore, recognizes the historic significance of the 50th anniversary of the reestablishment of the sovereign_and independent modern State of Israel, and commends the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements in the face of terrorism, hostility and belligerence by many of her neighbors. This legislation reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between our Nation and Israel for the past halfcentury which have been significant for both nations, and extends the warmest congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel and her people for a peaceful and prosperous and successful future. Further, and I would like to also note that the speaker is arranging to send a Congressional delegation to the state of Israel on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Without objection, a statement by Members on all of today's measures will be entered into the record for further proceedings. [The information referred to appears in the appendix.] Chairman GILMAN. Are there any Members seeking recognition or seeking to offer amendments on the resolution before us? Mr. Rohrabacher. Mr. ROHRABACHER. I would just like to say that 50 years of a democratic government in that part of the world is really a cause for celebration and Israel has suffered 50 years of conflict, and this has not been a peaceful time during this 50 years but they have been able to maintain their internal democratic institutions and I think that that certainly is worthy of respect and congratulations by all of us, and now let's hope that the next 50 years not only do they have those democratic institutions but perhaps there can be a peaceful settlement of some of the problems there and those people can live in peace and prosperity instead of constant conflict. Chairman GILMAN. I thank the gentleman from California for his remarks. Any other Members seeking recognition? If not, the gentleman from Nebraska is recognized to offer a motion. Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, I want to commend you and Mrs. Capps and Mr. Rohrabacher for your statements and to be associated with them. I'm pleased to be a co-sponsor. I move that the Chairman be requested to seek consideration of this measure on the suspension calendar. Chairman GILMAN. The question is on the motion by the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter. As many as in favor of the motion signify by stating aye. [Chorus of ayes.] Chairman GILMAN. As many as opposed signify by saying no. [No noes.] Chairman GILMAN. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it, and the motion is agreed to. Further proceedings on the measure are postponed. Chairman GILMAN. If there is no further business for the Committee, the Committee stands adjourned. Thank you for being present. [Whereupon, at 2:15 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.] |