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<PRE>[DOCID: f:hc24enr.txt]
        H.Con. Res.24
                                        Agreed to April 12, 1999        

                       One Hundred Sixth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

         Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
   the sixth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine


                          Concurrent Resolution


 


Whereas at the heart of the Oslo peace process lies the basic, 
  irrevocable commitment made by Palestinian Chairman Yasir Arafat 
  that, in his words, ``all outstanding issues relating to permanent 
  status will be resolved through negotiations'';

Whereas resolving the political status of the territory controlled by 
  the Palestinian Authority while ensuring Israel's security is one of 
  the central issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;

Whereas a declaration of statehood by the Palestinians outside the 
  framework of negotiations would, therefore, constitute a most 
  fundamental violation of the Oslo process;

Whereas Yasir Arafat and other Palestinian leaders have repeatedly 
  threatened to declare unilaterally the establishment of a Palestinian 
  state;

Whereas the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state would 
  introduce a dramatically destabilizing element into the Middle East, 
  risking Israeli countermeasures, a quick descent into violence, and 
  an end to the entire peace process; and

Whereas, in light of continuing statements by Palestinian leaders, 
  United States opposition to any unilateral Palestinian declaration of 
  statehood should be made clear and unambiguous: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
        (1) the final political status of the territory controlled by 
    the Palestinian Authority can only be determined through 
    negotiations and agreement between Israel and the Palestinian 
    Authority;
        (2) any attempt to establish Palestinian statehood outside the 
    negotiating process will invoke the strongest congressional 
    opposition; and
        (3) the President should unequivocally assert United States 
    opposition to the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, 
    making clear that such a declaration would be a grievous violation 
    of the Oslo accords and that a declared state would not be 
    recognized by the United States.
  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.

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