May 20, 2003
Letter to Senators Warner and Allen
and Representative Moran
Letter to Senators Warner and Allen
and Representative Moran
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, VA 22306-8208
May 20, 2003
The Honorable John William Warner
United States Senate
225 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4601
The Honorable George F. Allen
United States Senate
204 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4604
The Honorable James P. Moran
U.S House of Representatives
2239 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4608
Dear Senators Warner and Allen and Representative Moran:
As your constituent, and a former Marine, I write to ask you not to cosponsor the new “Syria Accountability Act” (H.R. 1828 and S. 982). Cosponsoring this legislation at this time would preclude other legitimate diplomatic alternatives to addressing American concerns about Syrian policies.
This proposed legislation appears to purposefully set a compliance standard so high as to force President Bush to severely undermine current U.S.-Syrian relations and possibly jeopardize successful U.S.-Syrian cooperation in the war against terrorism. I am also concerned that portions of the proposed legislation appear to circumvent the Executive Branch’s constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign policy.
I believe that cosponsoring the “Syria Accountability Act” as U.S. troops leave Iraq and when the Bush Administration has announced a “road map” for peace in the Middle East would send a confusing message to the international community and our regional allies that raises serious doubts about American intentions in the region and about the Administration’s commitment to comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Alternatively, I believe that members of Congress should call for the creation of a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). I agree with Secretary of State Colin Powell’s April 15, 2003 statement: “With respect to weapons of mass destruction, it has always been U.S. policy that we would like to see that whole region free of weapons of mass destruction.”
I am deeply concerned that American credibility in the Middle East faces a serious challenge at this time and that a rush to support legislative proposals like H.R. 1828 or S. 982 could have negative consequences on our global war against terrorism and our interests in securing a comprehensive peace between the Arab states and Israel.
I look forward to hearing your response to my request. I trust you will do the right thing and not vote for this legislation, which in the end will only result in further diluting our military defenses in a futile effort to police other nations.
Sincerely,
James Landrith
July 28, 2003
Mr. James Landrith
P.O. Box 8208
Alexandria, Virginia 22306-8208
Dear Mr. Landrith:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the volatile situation in the Middle East. I appreciate your thoughtful inquiry.
Since the establishment of the State of Israel, there has been widespread turmoil in the Middle East as a result of both religious and ideological differences between the Israelis, the Palestinians, and other regional neighbors. Tensions in the troubled area have boiled over repeatedly, resulting in the tragic deaths of hundreds of Palestinians and Israelis. I am deeply concerned that if the fighting and violence is not stopped, the crisis in the Middle East could well spread to other countries, potentially destabilizing the entire region.
On June 24, 2002, President Bush gave a comprehensive statement on American foreign policy in the Middle East, stating “when the Palestinian people have new leaders, new institutions and new security arrangements with their neighbors, the United States of America will support the creation of a Palestinian state….” Similarly, the President went on to state that “…. Israeli settlement activity in the occupied territories must stop.” On March 14, 2003, President Bush announced the creation of a three-year, three-phase “road map” to peace that sets forth a sequence of independent but reciprocating actions from both sides aimed at reaching the final goal of a permanent Palestinian state and long-term Israeli security. I stand squarely behind the President and Secretary of State Colin Powell in support of the steps they are taking, together with other nations, to bring about a lasting peace in the region.
The recent election of Mahmoud Abbas (a.k.a. Abu Mazen) as Palestinian prime minister satisfied a fundamental precondition for the road map to peace: an empowered and accountable leader for the Palestinian people. According to phase one of the road map, Mr. Abbas must immediately take steps to dismantle terrorist organizations such as Hamas that continue to undermine progress toward peace, and make governmental institutions more democratic and accountable. At the same time, Israel must end new settlements in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza and withdraw troops that control the lives of four million Palestinians.
Stability in the Middle East is essential to global security. Both sides in this ongoing conflict must work to reverse the recent dramatic increase in violence in order to facilitate a peaceful resolution. We must continue to support the national security of Israel while, at the same time, working with all responsible nations, including our Arab friends, to protect the rights of the Palestinian people and ensure that they reach a democratic statehood. To this end, I have called on both the Israeli and the Palestinian governments to invite NATO forces to undertake a peacekeeping role and to help provide a measure of stability necessary to allow the road map process to maintain forward momentum.
I am mindful of your concerns about this crisis, as well as the need to engage all partners in the region in constructive dialogue. It is only through such dialogue that we will see constructive change in the region, leading to lasting peace.
Please be assured that I will keep your comments in mind should any legislation pertaining to Israel and the Palestinians come before the full Senate. Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns with me. Should you be in need of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely,
John Warner
JW/sco