U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee : Arab-Israeli Conflict
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee: Arab-Israeli Conflict
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee hearings related to Arab-Israeli Conflict. Elderly and middle-aged adult Caucasian males sitting and standing around the three tiered dais; U.S. House Representative and Chairman, Lawrence Fountain (D-NC) speaking with Ranking Member, Rep. William Broomfield (R-MI), and going over some papers to see if there can be a more succinct version of U.S. President Ronald Reagan's proposals. Secretary of State George Shultz seated at witness table, flanked by Nick Veliotis, Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East, and Richard Fairbanks, a special representative for the Middle East; adult Caucasian men and women seated in BG. Reps. Fountain, Broomfield, Edward Derwinski (R-IL), Paul Findlay (R-IL), and Larry Wynn Jr. (R-KS) all seated at top level tier of the dais. Adult Caucasian male and female photographers taking pictures of Secretary Shultz seated at the witness table with his two male colleagues seated between him. Secretary Shultz and two men seated at the witness table, waiting for proceedings to begin.
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee: Arab-Israeli Conflict
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Arab-Israeli Conflict: U.S. Secretary of State, George Shultz seated at witness table, flanked by Nick Veliotis, Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East, and Richard Fairbanks, a special representative for the Middle East; adult Caucasian men and women seated and standing in BG, adult Caucasian male and female press corps taking photographs in front of the witness table, adult African American male Capitol police officer stands with his back to the camera in FG. Male colleague speaks briefly to Secretary Shultz in hushed tones, gestures for an adult Caucasian male to come speak to him before the Chairman of the Committee, U.S. House Representative and Chairman, Lawrence Fountain (D-NC) calls committee to order; including Ranking Member Rep. Fountain, Rep. William Broomfield (R-MI), Rep. Edward Derwinski (R-IL) and Rep. Paul Findlay (R-IL).
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee: Arab-Israeli Conflict
U.S. House Representative and Chairman, Lawrence Fountain (D-NC) announces that the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee has convened today to hear the U.S. Secretary of State, George Shultz, speak on the current situation in the Middle East and U.S. President Ronald Reagan's peace proposal. He then proceeds to make a brief statement for the usual Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Clement Zablocki (D-WI). Rep. Zablocki's statement is favorable to the President's peace proposal, and if followed through, should bring stability to the Middle East and resolution to the Israeli-Arab conflict. Rep. Fountain welcomes Secretary Shultz to the committee, and is honored to preside over this hearing as a retiring member of Congress. However, before Secretary Shultz speaks, Rep. Fountain introduces and invites his colleague, Rep. William Broomfield (R-MI) to speak.
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee: Arab-Israeli Conflict
Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, U.S. House Representative, William Broomfield (R-MI) begins his remarks; Chairman, Rep. Lawrence Fountain (D-NC), Rep. Edward Derwinski (R-IL), and Rep. Paul Findlay (R-IL) all seated on the same level of the dais, other middle-aged and elderly adult Caucasian males are seated on the lower dais in the FG. Rep. Broomfield extends his greetings and compliments the work Secretary of State George Shultz is doing, particularly when it comes to ceasefire and peace brought to Lebanon and the Middle East area. Chairman Fountain acknowledges Nick Veliotis, Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East, and Richard Fairbanks, a special representative for the Middle East. Secretary Shultz seated at witness table with colleagues; adult Caucasian men and women seated, listening to hearing in BG. Chairman Fountain acknowledges that there may be questions asked where Secretary Shultz may not be able to delve into the details, but after seeing his work with media outlets such as "Meet the Press", he's confident Shultz can answer questions without giving up classified details.
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee: Arab-Israeli Conflict
U.S. House Representative and Chairman of the Committee, Lawrence Fountain (D-NC), about to continue his remarks, adult Caucasian male steps in to correct him quietly. Rep. Fountain acknowledges that he got a little ahead of himself, explaining that he's not used to being the Chairman. He lets U.S. Secretary of State, George Shultz proceed with his statement. Secretary George Shultz seated at witness table with Nick Veliotis, Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East, and Richard Fairbanks, a special representative for the Middle East; they try to figure out audio issues emanating from the microphone; adult Caucasian men and women seated in BG.
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee: Arab-Israeli Conflict
U.S. Secretary of State, George Shultz speaks to U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee members, appreciating the broad and bipartisan support for U.S. President Ronald Reagan's initiative; Nick Veliotis, Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East, and Richard Fairbanks, a special representative for the Middle East, seated beside Secretary Shultz at witness table. He appreciates the recognition of his colleagues, and is eager to discuss the developments in the Middle East. Now that the Palestinian Liberation Organization has been evacuated from Beirut, the focus turns to the next steps in securing a peace in the region, which includes the withdrawal of all foreign forces and restoration of central authority in Lebanon. Now, there must be a re-invigoration of the Camp David peace process to solve the Arab-Israeli dispute. With regards to Lebanon, the PLO leaving is only the first step to in the process to help stabilize the country. The U.S. Marines there as part of multi-national force will begin withdrawal tomorrow, while the Lebanese government will begin to re-establish control over all parts of Beirut, using their military and police force. Adult Caucasian males and females seated in BG.
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee: Arab-Israeli Conflict
U.S. Secretary of State, George Shultz speaks to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee on the second phase of the Lebanon diplomacy: U.S. President Ronald Reagan sending Ambassador Morris Draper to Lebanon to begin the negotiations on the withdrawal of foreign forces; Richard Fairbanks, a special representative for the Middle East seated next to Secretary Shultz. Shultz states that the withdrawal of military forces must happen in conjunction with the southern border of Lebanon being secured for Israel's safety. It is vital for the newly elected Lebanese government to be able to perform their governing duties independent of foreign interference. Secretary Shultz re-affirms the United States commitment to Lebanon as an ally. In helping Lebanon with its own security and strengthen sovereignty under its newly elected government, it will also aid in the search for peace within the Middle East region, as a whole. No peace can be achieved in the Middle East without a safe and secure Lebanon. However, in helping Lebanon, the U.S. can also work towards peace in the Middle East as well. That is the goal and why the President has dispatched Ambassador Draper. Adult Caucasian men and women seated in BG.
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee: Arab-Israeli Conflict
U.S. Secretary of State, George Shultz speaks to committee members about Arab-Israeli conflict which concerns, not only regional countries, but countries around the world, and the U.S. has a responsibility to the region, and is the only nation with the credibility, and therefore, the ability, to provide a crucial link to all sides; Richard Fairbanks, a special representative for the Middle East seated beside Secretary Shultz. U.S. President Ronald Reagan's plan is based on a "detailed, intensive review of the problem by the President and his advisors". This plan has been discussed with various government officials with knowledge in this field. The conclusions are that it is time to address the underlying Palestinian issues, and success depends upon broadening participation in negotiations. Shultz states that the United States will remain committed to the principles of the Camp David Accords and to the security of Israel. Shultz notes that the Camp David Accord is unique in that it has been successful in achieving peace between Israel, and still flexible to expansion with other nations and people; a view shared by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.