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June 2003

Roadmap to Peace?
Prior to the start of the Iraq War, President Bush stated his support for the "Road Map to Peace" in the Middle East. The "Road Map" is a plan developed by what is being called the "Quartet" – the United States, the European Union, the Russian Federation, and the United Nations. The release of the plan was delayed for many months, but much of its content was known before it was made public on April 30. The "road map" lays out parallel actions for both Israel and the Palestinians as they move toward final settlement and a peace agreement by 2005. This is the first major Middle East peace initiative after over two years of raging violence and Israel’s reoccupation of the Palestinian Territories.

In what appears to be a significant and constructive development in Congress, a letter to President Bush is now circulating supporting the release of the "road map," noting satisfaction with the appointment Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazin, applauding the first steps being taken by the Palestinians in denouncing all terrorism and committing to reform of the Palestinian leadership, and calling for Israel to begin implementing the actions required of them in the plan. The letter also supports the end goal of the process, "two states living side-by-side in peace and security." In the past, Congress has consistently opposed putting pressure on Israel and has not supported a two-state policy. The co-sponsors of the letter are an unusual mix of members, some who have been open to Palestinian perspectives and some who have been strong supporters of Israel. Most noteworthy is the powerful chair of the House International Relations Committee, Henry Hyde (R-IL).

Call or fax your Representative and ask him or her to sign onto the "Support the Road Map letter" written by Mr. Hyde and Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA), Darrell Issa (R-CA) and David Price (D-NC). To reach the Washington office of any Representative, call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Representative.

Legislation Calls for Unrestricted Travel to Cuba
Momentum is building in Congress to allow U.S. citizens and legal residents to travel between the United States and Cuba. Rep. Jeff Falke (R-AZ) introduced legislation cosponsored by the 49-member bipartisan Cuba Working Group in the House of Representatives. The "Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act" (HR 5022) would lift the ban on travel to Cuba and allow U.S. citizens and legal residents to pay for living expenses and the acquisition of goods and services for personal use in Cuba, both currently prohibited under current law. A similar bill (S 950) was introduced earlier this year in the Senate.

This legislation is just one step toward ending the embargo against Cuba that has been in place for over four decades. One of the consistent messages that the Presidents and Executive Directors of CMSM and LCWR heard during their recent delegation to Cuba was that the embargo has not only caused economic hardships in Cuba, but even more, it has limited the free flow of ideas and culture, impoverishing the nation in ways that cannot be measured by economics.

The recent crackdown on dissidents in Cuba is a striking example of the fear the Cuban government has over freedom of thought and the exchange of ideas. U.S. citizens could have a more positive impact on the human rights situation and the protection of dissidents if we could be more engaged with the Cuban people, rather than restricted through the failed policy of isolation. The Conferences issued a statement at a press conference on Capitol Hill when the legislation was introduced.

Contact your Senators and Representatives and urge them to support the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act (HR 5022 and S 950). See the contact information above. See the contact information above. Copies of the legislation are available on the Library of Congress website, thomas.loc.gov.

Foreign Relations Authorization Addresses Refugees
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) has offered two amendments to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act that would have significant impact on refugees, one positive, one negative. In 1980, when the Refugee Act was adopted, the refugee admissions ceiling was 231,000 annually. In 1992, that ceiling had dropped to 142,000. During the last eight years, that ceiling had dropped to 70,000. In 2002 less than 30,000 refugees were admitted to the U.S., fewer than half of the amount authorized for that year. In September 2002 a letter was sent to President Bush from the House and Senate requesting that the refugee ceiling be raised to 100,000 for 2003 to make up for the unused spots from the previous year. The Administration announced that the ceiling would remain at 70,000 for 2003. In the first six months of the fiscal year, which started in October, less than 9,000 refugees have been admitted. The Smith Amendment would call for the increased number of refugees allowed to enter the U.S. and to utilize all certified Private Voluntary Organizations to assist the UN High Commission for Refugees in identifying and processing refugee applicants. The amendment also calls on the State Department to expand consideration of refugees seeking resettlement and for family members of U.S. citizens and legal residents admitted to the US as resident aliens, refugees, and asylees. Funding for identifying and processing refugees would also be increased by over $100 million.

A second amendment could have tragic consequences for Palestinian refugees. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been responsible for providing assistance to Palestinians for more than 50 years. The amendment accuses UNRWA of failing to make an effort to resettle Palestinian refugees (something that is not in UNRWA's mandate) expresses "outrage over credible reports" that UNRWA facilities have been used for terrorist training, with little attempt by UNRWA to stop or oppose these activities (only Israeli sources were cited, and UNRWA is not permitted to carry out security-related functions), and it expressed "deep concern" about textbooks and educational materials used in UNRWA-sponsored schools that allegedly promote anti-Semitism and deny the right of Israel to exist (these materials have never been associated with UNRWA). The amendment urges the Secretary of State to make UNRWA reform a priority at the UN and expands a ongoing U.S. government audit of UNRWA to ensure that U.S. "taxpayer funds are being spent effectively "and are not" directly or indirectly supporting terrorism, anti-Semitic or anti-Jewish teachings, or the glorification or incitement of violence."

To place these allegations in U.S. legislation serves to promote the distrust among Israelis and Palestinians and damages the credibility of UNRWA. UNRWA plays a vital role in providing humanitarian assistance to a population in severe crisis. It is a primary source of stability for Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The resettlement of Palestinian refugees is considered a "final status" issue and the solution will be found in following the newly proposed peace process, any effort, such as this amendment, to bypass a mutually-accepted solution will only add to the frustration and conflict.

Contact your Representatives and urge them to support the amendment to increase the number and streamline the process for admitting refugees into the U.S. and to oppose any amendment condemning UNRWA and expanding the audit of the organization.

Stan De Boe, OSST
Editor

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