[to CPWJ Letters page]  [ to CPWJ home page]

July 8, 2002

Senator John Edwards
301 Century Post Office
300 Fayetteville St. Mall
Raleigh, NC 27601



Dear  Senator Edwards:

I am a constituent of yours and I am writing to you to express my dismay over the United States' Middle East policy as expressed by Mr. Bush in his recent speech.  Such a policy shows no understanding of the causes of the conflict and is void of viable potential solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  In fact, the Bush policy will only exacerbate the tension and violence in the Mideast.  Rather than enumerate the numerous deficiencies in this policy, I wish to address broad principles of international law and justice that I feel the foreign policy of the United States should adhere.

One of the central issues fueling the conflict is the Israeli settlements on the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights.  It is widely recognized in the world community that these settlements are illegal under international law.  Specifically, I refer to Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which prohibits the occupying power from deporting or transferring its own population to occupied territories.  In fact, it was the opinion of the Legal Adviser of the Department of State in
testimony to Congress on 21 April 1978 that the Israeli settlements were most likely illegal.  A just and lasting peace in the Middle East and the presence of Israeli controlled settlements on the West Bank and Gaza Strip are mutually exclusive conditions.

I feel compelled to remind you that the United States is signatory nation to the Fourth Geneva Convention and is bound by Article 1 of the Convention to respect and ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances.  In addition, under Article 6  of the Constitution of the United States, treaties entered into by the United States are considered the supreme law of the land.  It would seem therefore, that the Bush Mideast policy is inconsistent with US law by not calling for the removal of Israeli settlements from occupied territories. The United States cannot credibly play the role of an arbiter of a just and principled peace settlement without insisting that both parties adhere to international law.
 
In becoming a member of the United States Senate you took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.  Given the considerations above, I feel it is incumbent upon you and other members of Congress to attempt to rectify this situation; to remind the Executive branch of its obligations under international law, and encourage them to formulate policies which are consistent with such obligations.  I, therefore, request that you to put forth a Resolution in the Senate
which calls upon Mr. Bush and his Administration to reformulate a Mideast policy which will lead to a truly just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian people.  An endorsement of the Saudi Peace Plan should be a part of the such a Resolution.
 
Thank you for your time, and I appreciate your legislative efforts on the behalf of the citizens of North Carolina.  I look forward to your response to my request.


Sincerely,

Paul D. Boyle

[to CPWJ Letters page]  [ to CPWJ home page]