...for the week ending September 8, 2006

I. Congress on Aid for Lebanon, Israel
II. Spotlight on Cluster Bombs
III. Dear Colleagues, Bills, Resolutions
IV. APN Letter to Bush Re: Syria
V. Feingold on the Record

[This week Congress returned from the August recess.]

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I. CONGRESS ON AID FOR LEBANON, ISRAEL ============================================

- U.S. Assistance for Lebanon: During the recess, Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) repeatedly stated that he planned to block U.S. assistance to Lebanon until UN troops were deployed along the Lebanon-Syria border (a deployment not specifically stipulated in UNSCR 1701, which states that the UN force shall "Assist the government of Lebanon, at its request, to implement paragraph 14." Paragraph 14: "Calls upon the government of Lebanon to secure its borders and other entry points to prevent the entry in Lebanon without its consent of arms or related materiel and requests Unifil as authorised in paragraph 11 to assist the government of Lebanon at its request.").

It is worth noting that the President's announced $230 million aid package for Lebanon includes funds spent during the war (to evacuate American citizens and for various emergency relief programs), as well as other funds already spent - aid that is already out the door. What is left is around $180 million in planned assistance for a range of programs, including de-mining and clearing unexploded ordnance, environmental remediation (to deal with the massive oil spill in the Mediterranean caused by the bombing of a Lebanese power plant), and providing training for the Lebanese Armed Forces as they undertake their new mission in the south.

In order to fund these relatively small programs, the Administration must notify relevant Congressional committees (the House International Relations Committee, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees) of its intent to reprogram funds (i.e., use them for a different purpose than they one for which they were originally appropriated); key committee members can then block the Administration by placing a hold on the funds in question. Reportedly several of these notifications have already been sent to Congress for Lebanon related funding, amounting to less than $10 million in aid. It remains to be seen whether Lantos will follow through on his threat to block this funding.

- U.S. Assistance for Israel: Lantos also announced plans to support additional financial assistance to Israel. The Jerusalem Post reported on August 28th that Lantos stated, "It would be singularly unfair and inequitable in the wake of this disaster to have aid flow to one party, which basically allowed the provocation, but not to the other victims. Lebanon will get help from Europe, the Arab world and the United States. And unless the United States provides some aid to Israel, Israel will not receive aid."

Meanwhile, the Israeli daily paper Ma'ariv reported on August 31st that "a high-ranking American official has said that the US does not rule out the possibility of granting Israel special financial aid following the war." The official is quoted as stating, "The United States has not received any request from Israel for additional defense aid following the war in Lebanon, but if such a request is received, we will treat it with the utmost seriousness." (Since then there have been intimations that the U.S. is unhappy that Israel, claiming to be facing a budget crunch, has gone ahead and published tenders for 700 new settlement housing units).

In addition, President Bush announced that he would ask Congress to extend the existing loan guarantees program for Israel to give Israel more time to use the guarantees. In 2003 Congress originally approved the loan guarantee program - which enables Israel to borrow funds at a lower interest rate - providing $9 million in guarantees over a three year period (this period has already been extended by Congress). Thus far, Israel has reportedly used less that half of the guarantees. Under the new terms that the President is expected to ask Congress to approve, the remaining guarantees would be available for Israel until 2011.

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II. SPOTLIGHT ON CLUSTER BOMBS ============================================

On September 5th Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Leahy (D-VT) offered an amendment to HR 5631, the FY07 Defense Appropriations bill, seeking to "prevent funds from being spent to purchase, use, or transfer cluster bombs until the Department of Defense has adopted rules of engagement to ensure that cluster bomb are not used in or near any concentration of civilians." Their joint press release regarding the amendment can be viewed at: http://feinstein.senate.gov/06releases/r- cluster-bomb.htm

On September 6th Senate rejected the amendment (S. Amdt. 4882) by a vote of 70-30 (no Republicans voted in favor of the amendment).

In floor comments introducing the amendment, Feinstein spoke of the indiscriminate damage caused by unexploded bomblets, noting, "Every year, hundreds of civilians are killed and many more are injured due to unexploded cluster bombs. From the fields of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, through the streets of Kosovo and Iraq, to the arid hills of Afghanistan and the playgrounds of Lebanon, these lethal relics of war continue to cripple life, hope, and peace."

Feinstein went on to explain, "What gives rise in part to my amendment are recent developments in Lebanon over alleged use of cluster bombs. Throughout southern Lebanon, more than 405 cluster bomb sites containing approximately 100,000 unexploded bomblets have been discovered. Each site covers a radius of 220 yards. As Lebanese children and families return to their homes and begin to rebuild, they will be exposed to the danger of these unexploded bomblets lying in the rubble. Thirteen people, including three young children, have been killed so far, and 48 injured. One United Nations official estimates that the rate of unexploded bomblets is 40 percent. So far, more than 2,000 unexploded bomblets have been destroyed, but it will take 12 to 15 months to complete the effort.

"Let me say that I join the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, David Shearer, in calling on Israel to provide information on where the cluster bombs were used. Such information is vital to speed up the cleanup process and save lives.

"We have called the State Department. We have asked for information about the conditions for the sale of cluster munitions to Israel, and we have not been able to get that information. It seems to me that information should be readily available and transparent, particularly to the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

"The State Department is currently looking into charges that the cluster bombs found in south Lebanon were American made--I do not know that they were--and that they were used in violation of agreements between the United States and Israel. I do not know that they were, but I think we should know, and I think we should not cloak ourselves with ignorance. I am hopeful that this inquiry will be completed as soon as possible and the findings reported to the Congress. If there are violations, there should be consequences."

On September 8th the Israeli daily Ha'aretz published an article on the issue of cluster bombs: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/760246.html

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III. Dear Colleagues, Bills, Resolutions ============================

(REGIONAL POLICY) S. 3875: Introduced 9/7/06 by Sens. Reid (D-NV) and Durbin (D-OH), "to provide real national security, restore United States leadership, and implement tough and smart policies to win the war on terror, and for other purposes." Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Section 305 of the bill, entitled "Comprehensive Coalition Strategy Against Islamist Terrorism," includes a Sense of Congress stating, among other things, that the U.S. "should use a broader approach to target the roots of terrorism, including developing strategies with other countries to encourage reform efforts in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, improving educational and economic opportunities in Muslim countries, identifying and eliminating terrorist sanctuaries, and making progress in the Arab-Israeli peace process."

(IRAN) S. 3810: Introduced 9/7/06 by Sen. Brownback (R-KS) and no cosponsors, "to hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its human rights record and to support a transition to democracy in Iran." Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(UNIFIL) Crowley/McCaul Dear Colleague: On September 5th Reps. Crowley (D-NY) and McCaul (R-TX) circulated a Dear Colleague seeking cosigners on a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. The letter urges Annan to make sure that only countries that recognize Israel and maintain full diplomatic relations with Israel participate in the expanded UNIFIL mission. Oddly, the letter came out the day after Israel assented to Indonesia - a country that does not recognize Israel or maintain diplomatic ties with it - sending troops to participate in UNIFIL.

(UNSCR 1701) Burton Dear Colleague: On September 6th Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) circulated a Dear Colleague seeking cosigners on a letter to President Bush expressing serious concerns over UNSCR 1701. The letter, originally circulated in mid-August, states, "While we still hold out hope that peace can be achieved between Israel and those who wish to destroy her, we do not believe that a resolution which appears to send a signal that terrorism pays, will achieve anything but the assurance of future hostilities, war and death."

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IV. APN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH RE: SYRIA ===========================

On August 29th APN sent the following letter to President Bush regarding Syria:

Dear President Bush:

On behalf of Americans for Peace Now (APN) we are writing to urge you to publicly clarify that the U.S. does not oppose the emergence of a renewed Israel-Syria negotiating track. We also urge you to reconsider your Administration's own approach to U.S.-Syria relations. APN is a Jewish, Zionist organization whose mission is to enhance Israel's security through peace and to support the Israeli Peace Now movement.

In the wake of the Israel-Hezbollah war, Syria is on the agenda in Israel. Israelis realize that the longstanding conflict between Israel and Syria has given Syria an incentive to aid and abet Hezbollah and helped push Syria into the arms of Iran. Israelis also know that significant progress in negotiating an end to the conflict with Syria was made under Prime Minister Barak, leading some to wonder how the situation would have been different if that round of negotiations could have continued. Today, Israeli politicians and analysts - from Defense Minister Amir Peretz to Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter (who is also the former head of the Israeli General Security Services) - are arguing that it is time to consider engaging Syria to try to achieve a peace agreement. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has gone so far as to appoint a senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official to be the special "project manager" for possible future contacts with Syria.

Unfortunately, many in Israel and the U.S. believe that your Administration is standing in the way of renewed Israel-Syria contacts. We urge you to clarify, publicly and expeditiously, that this is not the case.

We also urge you to open a new chapter in U.S.- Syria relations and reject the thinking of those who view the Syrian regime as irredeemable and favor policies that seek to change the regime, rather than those that seek to change the behavior of the regime. Those who endorse such an approach do so at the peril of U.S. interests and Israeli security, ignoring the possibility of both failure and unintended consequences - like increased violence on the Israel-Lebanon border. While the Syrian regime is no doubt distasteful and guilty of many sins, despising a sovereign nation does not, on its own, constitute responsible foreign policy. Syria will continue to play a critical role -- positive or negative -- in a region which is central to U.S. national security. Unfortunately, current U.S. policy has helped push Syria closer to the most dangerous player in the region, Iran, and diminished Syria's incentive to moderate its behavior. It has also resulted in an historically unprecedented situation in which the U.S. has cut off all avenues for constructive engagement, meaning that when the situation spirals out of control on the ground - as it did recently in southern Lebanon - there is no address for the U.S. to turn to in Damascus. A reappraisal of this policy is long overdue.

History is clear: Israeli safety and security is a function of not only Israeli military strength but also peace agreements and accompanying security guarantees. Absent these or progress toward these, there is not stable status quo in the Middle East; periods of apparent calm are in reality only the prelude to the next outbreak of violence. It is time for the U.S. to pursue Middle East policies that are consistent with U.S. national security interests, including launching a new opening to Syria and supporting Israeli efforts to renew Israel-Syria negotiations.

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IV. FEINGOLD ON THE RECORD
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Statement on the Senate floor by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), September 5, 2006:

"Mr. President, as the international community deploys an international peacekeeping force to southern Lebanon and as Lebanon and Israel begin rebuilding after the recent conflict, it has become clear that a long-term solution to this conflict will not come about unless the Lebanese Government is strengthened and has the ability and the will to improve the daily lives of its citizens--thereby eliminating the conditions that have allowed Hezbollah to exploit and expand its influence throughout the country. Israel's security depends on it, and a lasting peace throughout the region won't occur without it.

"While it is still fragile, the cessation of hostilities presents an opportunity for the Lebanese people, with support from the international community, to eliminate terrorism and to cast off the detrimental influence that Iran and Syria have had throughout their country for years. It is also an opportunity to address the significant threats that have plagued Israel for decades.

"Still, my optimism is guarded. Unless the deployment of a U.N. force to patrol southern Lebanon is part of a broader international effort to root out Hezbollah and address the underlying causes of the conflict, we cannot expect Israel to feel more secure than it did prior to Hezbollah's recent aggressions, nor can we expect that any broader, long-term peace process will be pursued. Israel has every right to remain wary of the current international effort unless its security concerns are addressed and Lebanon can become a permanent-- and capable--partner in establishing long-term peace in the region.

"One of the most important elements of establishing peace is initiating reconstruction efforts throughout southern Lebanon immediately. Unfortunately, the Lebanese Government--and thus the international community--is already losing to Hezbollah in the race to show legitimacy and strength. It is an ominous sign that Hezbollah is ahead of Lebanese and internationally led reconstruction efforts and has been responsive to local needs. This is in contrast to an international donor community that has yet to establish the mechanisms and partnerships on the ground to get reconstruction efforts moving. In addition, the Lebanese Government is looking weak and out of touch, struggling to develop coordinated strategies for reconstruction and security. If this continues, it will have very real security implications for Israel, Lebanon, and the region, and will make the work of the U.N. force relatively useless. This is not in the interest of Israel, Lebanon, or the international community.

"Mr. President, as troop-contributing nations begin their deployments to support the U.N. force, an equal amount of attention needs to be paid to longer term efforts to bolster the Lebanese Government's capacity to deliver services and to kick-start the Lebanese economy. As I mentioned, coordinated--and rapid--reconstruction efforts will help. But so, too, will support for the Government, its institutions, and its role in Lebanese society. In addition, and as experts have suggested in recent weeks, sufficient--and significant-- attention needs to be given to enhancing the ability of the Lebanese military and police forces to do their jobs. The military and police forces need outside help. They need training, equipment, and supplies if they are going to be able to project the authority of the central Government in a professional way. Lebanon's democratic institutions need help; so, too, do civil society groups and private enterprises that can provide services to the Lebanese people quickly and that can increase demand for functioning, responsive, and transparent democratic institutions. Without this support for the army and police, stability will be elusive, and Israel will have every right to remain nervous about the role that Hezbollah will play in southern Lebanon and about the influence that Iran and Syria will have throughout the country.

"Finally, the U.S. Government must devote greater attention and resources to this issue. We have already seen the results of this administration's passive approach: hesitant international partners, lagging reconstruction efforts, and a shaky framework for ensuring that Israel's security concerns are addressed. If we are to contribute positively to a sustainable ceasefire and to setting the conditions within which Israel and Lebanon can become secure, a senior U.S. envoy must be deployed to help manage the implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701, assist with donor reconstruction efforts, build support for the Lebanese Government, influence important regional actors, and begin setting the conditions for a transition to a broader peace process throughout the region that will bring an end to this violence and instability.

"One of the most pressing and important tasks for a U.S. envoy will be working with the international community to end the pernicious influence that Iran and Syria continue to exert over Lebanon. Until that influence is ended and the Lebanese people are allowed to assert their own sovereignty, the prospects for a long-term peace will be shaky at best.

"Mr. President, we have an opportunity to eliminate a terrorist organization that has terrorized Israel for too long. It has exploited a weak Lebanese Government and has used the facade of public service and charity work to buy favor amongst the people of southern Lebanon. Efforts now must be focused on helping to create the conditions within which the Lebanese Government can build the legitimacy and capacity it will need to establish peace within its borders. This will make Israel safer and will contribute to longer term peace efforts throughout the region. That won't happen unless the international community, led by the United States, helps create the conditions within which the Lebanese Government can do its job."

For more information contact Lara Friedman, APN Director of Policy and Government Relations at 202/728-1893, or at lfriedman@peacenow.org.