[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Senate] [Page 8189] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I compliment the Palestinian Authority for not acting unilaterally to declare statehood. Chairman Yasser Arafat visited me on March 23, and I urged him at that time not to make a unilateral declaration of statehood. He then said to me that when the Palestinian Authority had changed its charter, as it was urged to do so by an amendment introduced by Senator Shelby and myself some years ago, that there was no credit given for that. I said there should have been credit given. And Chairman Arafat asked if they did not make the unilateral declaration if there would be some acknowledgment of that move. I said I would take the floor when May 4 came, which was the date targeted--that is today--and there was no unilateral declaration of statehood. And there has been none. I congratulate the Palestinian Authority for its restraint. That is a matter which ought to be negotiated under the terms of the Oslo agreement. Chairman Arafat asked me if I would put it in writing that I would make the statement. And I said I would; and I did. I ask unanimous consent that my letter to him dated in March be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: U.S. Senate, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC, March 31, 1999. Chairman Yasser Arafat, President of the National Authority, Gaza City, GAZA, Palestinian National Authority. Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you very much for coming to my Senate hideaway and for our very productive discussion on March 23rd. Following up on that discussion, I urge that the Palestinian Authority not make a unilateral declaration of statehood on May 4th or on any subsequent date. The issue of the Palestinian state is a matter for negotiation under the terms of the Oslo Accords. I understand your position that this issue will not be decided by you alone but will be submitted to the Palestinian Authority Council. When I was asked at our meeting whether you and the Palestinian Authority would receive credit for refraining from the unilateral declaration of statehood, I replied that I would go to the Senate floor on May 5th or as soon thereafter as possible and compliment your action in not unilaterally declaring a Palestinian state. I look forward to continuing discussions with you on the important issues in the Mid-East peace process. Sincerely, Arlen Specter, Chairman. Mr. SPECTER. I again thank the Chair for his staying late. I thank him, beyond that, for listening to my speech. Very often Presiding Officers are otherwise engaged. I yield the floor. ____________________