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March 5, 1999/17 Adar 5759, Vol. 51, No. 23
AIPAC keeps eyes on D.C. diplomacy
Iran, Palestine top lobbying group's list
LOU HIRSH
Contributing Editor
The nation's leading pro-Israel lobbying group is paying close attention to the diplomatic guest list at the White House, as issues crucial to the Jewish state's future are expected to be brought to the fore in coming weeks.
Howard Kohr, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based American Israel Public Affairs Committee, says his organization is calling on the Clinton administration to take strong stands with Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat when they visit Washington later this month.
In a phone interview this week, in anticipation of Kohr's scheduled presentation at noon on Thursday, March 11, at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Phoenix, Kohr said AIPAC deems as "a number one priority" the need for the U.S. to let Russia know that Americans will not support the sale of Russian high-tech weapons to Iran, which is reportedly under negotiation, as well as potential subsequent sales to other enemies of Israel, such as Iraq and Syria.
"It is going to be crucial for the United States and its allies to pay increased attention to these new threats to Israel," said Kohr.
Last year, President Clinton vetoed the Iran Missile Proliferation Act, which would have imposed automatic sanctions on any nations that provide assistance to Iran's weapons program. In January of this year, Clinton issued an executive order empowering the U.S. to issue trade sanctions on a case-by-case basis against overseas entities that deal with Iran. Since the executive order, about 20 Russian companies have been sanctioned.
AIPAC leaders have asked Clinton administration officials to attempt to persuade Russian leaders to take a tougher internal stand against transactions with Iran. AIPAC leaders note that an enhanced Iranian weapons capability poses threats not only to Israel, but also has implications for the United States' military preparedness and its position in the Middle East.
The threats faced by Israel were highlighted this week, Kohr said, by the recent heightening of conflict in southern Lebanon, where Israel has seen rising troop casualties in fighting with members of Hezbollah, a terrorist organization backed by Syria and Iran. Kohr said he was disturbed by the recent violence, which simultaneously points up threats to Israel, as well as highlighting concerns about the controversial Israeli presence in Lebanon. But he said the U.S. and its allies have roles to play in averting future clashes.
"The Syrians and the Iranians need to be given a very firm message from the United States that continued support of Hezbollah will not be tolerated."
In addition to lobbying on the subject of Russian-Iranian arms deals, said Kohr, the organization is asking the administration to speak out against Arafat's threats to unilaterally declare a Palestinian state on May 4.
Members of Arizona's congressional delegation, including U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon and Sens. Jon Kyl and John McCain (all three Republicans), are among supporters of a resolution, recently introduced in both the House and Senate that, among other things, urges President Clinton to clearly assert U.S. opposition to such a unilateral action.
Vincent Sollitto, a press spokesman for Kyl's Washington office, noted that Kyl was the first to sign on to the Senate measure, introduced by Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas.
"I think the senator's sponsorship is a clear indication of his support for Israel and the priority he places on this issue," Sollitto said.
Skip Fischer, a legislative assistant in McCain's Washington office, said the senator is among the 58 co-sponsors of the Senate resolution, introduced Feb. 4.
The earlier House measure was introduced by Salmon, and has since garnered the support of 200 other lawmakers. According to Glenn Hamer, legislative director of Salmon's Washington office, both houses of Congress could vote to approve the resolution next week, in advance of Arafat's scheduled March 23 visit to D.C.
Kohr said he is encouraged by the words so far of Jordan's new king, Abdullah, and is confident that the young ruler will continue the peace-centered policies of his father, King Hussein, who died last month.
"But we know that Abdullah will be tested," Kohr added.
Kohr said he is also optimistic about prospects for implementing last fall's Wye River peace accord, although it will likely take a longer timetable than originally delineated for the pact to succeed.
"It's our belief that the Wye agreement will be implemented over time," Kohr said. "But as former prime minister Rabin said, 'No dates are sacred.' "
Kohr said the outcome of Israel's May elections will also be crucial to the fate of the peace process, but AIPAC has a policy of not taking sides in Israel's internal politics.
Kohr's upcoming talk in Phoenix is open to the general public. Cost is $35. Reservations are requested by Tuesday, March 9. For more information, contact Lauren Rutkin at the Phoenix AIPAC office, 277-3318.
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