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AAI Asks President to Veto State Dept. Funding

Posted on Friday September 27, 2002

WASHINGTON, D.C. — AAI wrote President Bush today to ask him to veto H.R. 1646, the State Department Authorization Act. Citing a number of provisions in the bill that overturn existing U.S. policy and president authority, Board Chair George Salem wrote, “At a time when you are building a coalition to support our goals in the Middle East, Congress should not be undermining your efforts.”

AAI indicated that there were four areas of primary concern in the current bill:

1. Changing the status of Jerusalem by a series of provisions that would, among other changes, bring the consulate in Jerusalem under the Embassy in Tel Aviv and requiring maps to indicate Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Presidential waiver of any Jerusalem related provisions would be eliminated.
2. Cutting $10 million in economic assistance to Lebanon until the government sends Lebanese troops to the Israeli border with Lebanon.
3. Allocating $100 million in additional security funds to Israel for arms purchases.
4. A series of actions against the Palestinian offices in the U.S., without President waiver authority.

James Zogby, AAI President commented, “If made into law, H.R. 1646 will further inflame and deepen resentment among Arabs and Arab countries towards the United States. While the administration works to strengthen our relations throughout the region, a few members in Congress, use stealth tactics, pass legislation that was not considered fully by either house. This is not the way to make policy where so many vital US interests are at stake.”

AAI reminded the White House that there is international concern with Israel’s use of American provided weapons against Palestinian civilians and that the funding for even more weapons was unconscionable. Furthermore, the use of American weapons by Israel, demonstrated this past week in the siege of Ramallah and the attacks in Gaza, reinforced provocative and disproportionate military actions by Israel.

In reviewing the provisions on Jerusalem, Mr. Salem noted, “These provisions are represent a serious shift in policy and are potentially disruptive to emerging efforts to reform Palestinian institutions. Jerusalem is the single most critical issue in this conflict; and this attempt to create a de facto, Congressionally-mandated recognition of Israel’s claim flies in the face of three generations of US foreign policy.

The letter follows:

Arab American Institute

George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C.

September 27, 2002

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing you on behalf of the Arab American Institute (AAI) to urge your veto of H.R. 1646, the State Department Authorization Act. The bill is flawed from a number of perspectives. Several provisions in the bill related to the Middle East were not reviewed by either the House or the Senate and are damaging to our relations in the region, while others eliminate long-standing deference to the Executive Branch in carrying out foreign policy.

At a time when you are building a coalition to support our goals in the Middle East, Congress should not be undermining your efforts. Congress should refrain from actions such as those provisions related to a de facto change in U.S. policy on Jerusalem. Congress should not be passing legislation that removes Presidential waiver authority and your discretion and flexibility in dealing with Arab countries and the Palestinians. And it is not the time for Congress to further fund arms for Israel when the entire world sees U.S. weapons used daily against civilian populations in Palestine.

Mr. President, you know better than anyone else the difficult and complex conditions in the Middle East. This proposed legislation will only inflame and provoke the people and governments in the Arab world at a time when the U.S. is working hard to promote reform, stability, and a reduction in violence. Punishing Lebanon, which is struggling to survive, by withholding a portion of its economic assistance will not achieve security for Israel. Only a just and viable comprehensive peace settlement will bring lasting peace along that border.

H.R. 1646 does not serve America’s interests. It overturns long-standing U.S. policies on Jerusalem, further inhibits the emergence of a reinvigorated Palestinian leadership, and sets back our attempts to encourage political reforms needed throughout the region.

Finally, for the last two years, AAI has asked the Administration to seriously consider Israel’s violations of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). Funding additional arms transfers without a finding or at least attaching conditions to protect Palestinian civilians is unconscionable.

Veto H.R. 1646 and protect U.S. interests in the region and your authority and flexibility in foreign policy.

Regards,

George Salem
Board Chair