OCR Text |
Show Sunday. March 8, 1998. THE DAILY HERALD, Fj a razz: raraiii Mona Charen's recent column, - to be confused with couples t mwsg si des broker and evenhanded arbiter " therapy" grossly oversimplified in the negotiations continues the issue. She brazenly per- to be a crucial element in keeptrayed the Israelis as the good ing hopes for peace alive. By guys and the Palestinians as supporting this legislation, we j the bad guys. anced and responsible are abdicating that role and Having recently returned approach to the conflict. confirming to the Palestinians from spending a year in and other Arabs their Signers include dozens of proJerusalem, I am rather sensi-- n fessionals from across the suspicion: that the U.S. tive to such propaganda. My has only Israel's interest at state, i R. Kirk Bclnap heart. The question of experience there, expert opin-(.- 9 ipn, and public opinion polls Dept. of Asian & Near Jerusalem's final status has for confirm that the majority of Eastern Languages, BYU years been left for the final Israelis and Palestinians do Provo stage of negotiations precisely want peace and are willing to because it is the most sensitive Re: Transfer of the U.S. compromise to achieve it. and complex of all the issues in Charen is entitled to her opinthe ArabIsraeli conflict. Embassy in Tel Aviv to t ion but I thought it ironic that Jerusalem Previous U.S. administrations her piece, sprawled across the We, the undersigned, are have consistently supported "Opinions" page, should occur residents of Utah who come this position on Jerusalem, and within inches of the Pulitzer from many walks of life and it is therefore contradictory Mission Statement in the left and counterproductive to prerepresent different professions, corner stating, "We are dedicat-- .' religions and political persuaempt these final status negotied to the public interest, to sions. Although our backations by prematurely taking fairness and accuracy, to innosides on the most controversial grounds are diverse, we share vation and growth, and to the in common a keen interest in issue to be decided between the restless pursuit of excellence." and Israelis and Palestinians themprosperipeace promoting The ArabIsraeli conflict is ty in the Middle East. Many of selves at a later stage. A readof vital importance to U.S. citius are faculty members at uniing of the text of H. Con. Res. zens. Billions of our tax dollars versities in Utah who have 60 and H.R. 1757, which were go to the region each year. At years of experience living and passed on June 10, 1997 and the moment we are the only which you supported, reveals a working among Jews and Arabs and who have devoted view of Jerusalem's power in the world that stands a chance of brokering some our lives to studying and place in Middle Eastern histokind of settlement. On top of d treatunderstanding the complexities ry. This kind of of that region end its relationthis, the region figures promi-- ; ment of an enormously comnently in the heritage and the-- ; ship to the United States. We plex international issue can have joined forces to voice our never provide the basis for a ology of most of us (which may make us vulnerable to manipu-- j deep dismay that you favor leg- fair and lasting settlement of islation calling for the transfer lation). In other words, we are the Jerusalem problem and the of the U.S. Embassy in Israel conflict. Last deeply involved. We owe it to from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, ourselves to learn about this June's vote in favor of Israel's conflict. In the interest of fair-,- l and we hereby petition you to effort to make a united ness and accuracy, may I sug--j reconsider your support for Jerusalem the capital of Israel this initiative. is strongly opposed by our closgest one very readable book As you well know, the that provides the est and most moderate allies in Middle East peace process is at the Arab world, including King with informative background and analysis, without coming a precarious crossroads, and Kussein in Jordan, President down in favor of either camp: America's role as an honest Mubarak in Egypt, and King Fahd in Saudi Arabia. The political fallout from this congressional effort to recognize Israel's sovereignty over all Jerusalem will alienate every Arab and Muslim country and undermine efforts to reach a peaceful solution. We urge you to consider a position that addresses the concerns of both Israelis and Palestinians, increases the likelihood of a lasting cessation of hostilities, and better promotes the interests of the United States and the state of Utah in the Middle East. We advocate the following: 1. The U.S. Congress should refrain from passing legislation that contradicts U.S. and international support for settling the Jerusalem question in final status talks or preempts the outcome of such talks by taking a premature, position. This issue should be decided, with U.S. mediation, between the Israelis and Palestinians at the negotiation table. Maintenance of the current embassy located in Tel Aviv with two consulates in Jerusalem allows for a continuation of the status quo until resolution of the status of the city of Jerusalem is jointly determined by all parties. Decisions by the United States government removes responsibility from the parties integral to this decision to come to agreement. 2. A negotiated solution that respects the human and political rights of both Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem and provides open access to and long-hel- d , ac j. pro-Israe- i ! one-side- li one-side- Arab-Israe- li i J ! st Page Al I in IsraeliFalesfinlaii disputes i "Abraham Divided," by Daniel C. Peterson (Aspen Books, 1995). It is widely available at local bookstores and libraries. For your information, I present here the text of a letter being sent to Utah congressmen. I believe it represents a bal- syndi-jp.cate- d IsraeliPalestinian dispute not v- wrciii Piwo. Utah d shared control of Jewish, Muslim and Christian holy sites represents the best possible chance for lasting peace and prosperity in the region. We agree with this statement by the Churches for Middle East Peace: "Jerusalem at peace cannot belong exclusively to one people, one country or one religion. Jerusalem should be open to all, shared by all ... two peoples and three religions. We urge the United States government to call upon negotiators to move beyond exclusivist claims and create a Jerusalem that is a sign of peace ar.d a symbol of reconciliation for all humankind." Attached is a copy of an article by Dr. Chad Emmett of Brigham Young University, who is a specialist in the politicalreligious geography of IsraelPalestine, in which he explores how a system of sovereignty shared between the two nations and many religious groups in Jerusalem can be implemented. 3. With your support of Israel's desire to make all of Jerusalem its capital, you are ignoring, even harming, the interests of many or your constituency" the people and institutions of the state of Utah. Many of our schools and universities and corporations have activities in the Arab world: student and faculty exchanges, tour groups, educational centers, business and academic agreements, and archeological digs. Your stance on this controversial issue endangers our good relations with Arab friends and partners and unwelcome. We strongly urge our congressional delegation to keep in mind the repercussions of support for Israel: further destabilization of the peace process, and consequent deterioration of the political, business, and academic environment for citizens of Utah who live and travel in the Middle East. Thank you for considering our concerns and views. We trust that you will give serious thought to what we have said, and we look forward to receiving word from each of you concerning your reaction and point of view. Finally, we would like to request a meeting between you and several of our representatives at a convenient time during your next trip to Utah, and we will contact your offices to make the one-side- d V isit us online wvvw.hraldextra.com EDITOR needs light rail judgment seat, but are simply applying the word of God. I think streets would be less God's word is the only measurbusy if we get light rail transing rule any cf us has a right to use, especially in a weighty portation in Orem and heavy rail to Salt Lake City. matter such as this. I have researched light rail . To those who signed the letand believe it would be great ter referred to above, I recomfor our city. The tracks wouldmend that you thoughtfully n't cause problems for the disread 2 Peter 2:21: "For it had abled to cross, and are less been better for them not to have known the way of rightlikely to be tripped ever than normal railroad tracks. We eousness, than, after they had would have less air pollution known it, to turn from the because we would have fewer . holy commandment delivered cars on our streets. People also unto them." The question aris-- , wouldn't have to worry about es, are you so much more parking, traffic jams and acc- , afraid of offending the father idents. Many people would ride of all evil than of offending 9'Kght rail if it were cheaper God? than driving their car. " Light rail would be great for Agnes Topol Oreim Introducing Statewide, Toll Free -- Calling. . TQrem. Orem DeAnna Rhoades Orem ' -- i'-t Seems that I made a mis- -' take in my Feb. 13 letter to the I could not resist the profeditor. I should have directed fered challenge contained in my letter as a response to "the Feb. 20 letter to the editor, George K Watts' letter, "In defense of Wendy Weaver," '."Welcome to Igncramousville." that was signed by so many ( My apologies to Glenn Parks proponents of religion. of Spiingville. I should have The dictionary defines paid more attention to the last sodomy as any sexual inter-- . paragraph of his letter. I'd 9 course regarded as abnormal, want to be in Ignoramousville, such as between persons of too. Sorry, and thanks to the same sex. Sodom, accordMarilyn for setting mo ing to the Bible, was a great straight. citv destroyed by fire because I have another pseve I'd of such sinfulness. Adultery, like to air at this time. Isn't too, is a great sin and is for it about time the bidden. Yet God has not ClintonJones affair be swept destroyed any land because of under the rug and forgotten about? If Kenneth Starr hasadultery. Apparently, in the n't found enough to charge sight of God, sodomy is a befoulment beneath even the president; he never will. Don't get me wrong, I didn't adultery. Are these proponents of religion giving their vote for Clinton. I never 8;sodomite friends their bleswould. what However, Americans knew of sing by openly accepting is know to a fail cannot his lifestyle before ''they B base defilement of God's they elected him president. laws? Starr sounds to me like a man If our friends have been possessed. If hs has the evievil dence to prosecute, then bring that genius, . beguiled by we are of it forth. I'm not talking about Prince Darkness, the band we if the friends their illegal taping by Linda truly Tripp, either. tqgelher in consent to their President Clinton's biggest deviant way cf life? If we are care mistake if the allegations and their friends truly was not admitting are true about their salvation, we will what he did and trying to lo,t them know that we care cover it up. He made the same a.bout them and help bring mistake President Nixon made them to an awareness of what in covering up the Watergate) wr Savior said, "Go thy way, affair. more." 4nd sin no who oppose of us Those ni Bill Itvingston deviant sexuality as a sin are Provo ,suot placing ourselves in the llo sL'oiyskcs for sin Now you can call from the Salt Lake City home service area to anywhere in the state of Utah without paying charges. And here's more good news: Apctegy snd peeve aired long-distan- , 1 It ; h of great rate plans, like 30 minutes for just $16.99 a month. e You can take advantage I, . There are no annual contracts required so you can switch plans whenever you want. , Your calls will sound clearer because it's 100 digital. There are no activation fees. Act now and get a $50 of Sprint PCS Phones? mail-i- n rebate on a selection www.sprintpcs.com Z3 E Sprint PCS" 656 South State Street 0 Salt Lake City Uyton The Sprint Store At Sprint PCS Express Center Sprint PCS Center (ft) RadioShack. Trollty Square Downtown 1587 South State Street Orem For business accounts, call 569-440- 0. Sprint PCS Center Sprint PCS Ctnter 852 Wc( Hit! Field Road 0 ZCMI circuit city FUTURE SHOP GAUXN30N CELLULAR OFFICE MAX fred meyer GADGETS OFFICE DEPOT TOTALLY WIRELESS . tnwvltmOwMhwiwiUk-J.tmwrttV ... kim.n m Hlw RihM lrt miMr -- a Iwwui i torioiip'm MM ml il Km rI a- - ldl-h- lulnl..aim!ntiKin l mara. tH'm unm llAWpw MrnrS Mr rim inthun UlmmuMrcf YatihJelt mtk'tmn Uraaa. at m aroUaV rhr A. V.wl man kW, bu may t l man! I. IV. mm i .kuManl .Vinl K n punlunlMa.i I Mo Mit It rrw tWm UI Wi lkml bmy km(wrt Em, V K5.Sfi anl oaimita ' Junanl rVi.ani ( .aranunnai.Bi l mI iff iwipmtnf! wirtwMaaiiahrrrM. . OH 1iA- .- htpml pin, IWun Clrf Sm PI " Phm ' hr . tarniinn. it tt jvJUJr .'ti nia a,iifun LP All tvthumnn) S(im. raa M.nu S(ItBuTik (,mm tvljl ni!i.l mvmrf n.Ml !. al . . Ha- aIiiwJ mimaritf k W nl S .ri. Atuiiir4aaTOnTwthfc (Ifrn uhp, kl..lbyK W mIVmh Mti IWM. malain rf U y mntlm aim. ilVn iaianv i. mai mlsr tunc. Srmtr .Ml P., |