March 8, 1992

President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council, I write to urge your support for loan guarantees for the State of Israel. While delays in approving the much-needed loan guarantees continue, many would be Jewish refugees from the former Soviet Union remain at risk. To pressure the current government in Israel to cease its settlement policy, you and Secretary of State Baker hold hostage thousands of Jews who fear the pogroms that may accompany the renewed nationalist fervor in the former Soviet republics. The loan guarantees are essentially a humanitarian gesture. It merits the support of your administration and the Congress.

Your persistent opposition to the guarantees suggests that your administration lacks confidence in its ability to implement its policy goals through diplomacy. Any rational person recognizes that a true and lasting peace in the Middle East would benefit all parties. The government of the United States serves the peace process best by strongly supporting democratic values, respecting human rights, fostering tolerance, and facilitating contacts, meetings and discussions among the parties to the Middle East Conflict.

Instead, your administration, makes an issue of the loan guarantees. This misguided position sends clear signals to Arab negotiators that they can hold out while the government of the United States pressures Israel to give away its security.

If you and Secretary Baker believe settlements in the West Bank are not helpful, it is sufficient to state that. Such statements can influence opinion in the United States and Israel. In light of this fact, your administration's efforts to block loan guarantees or subject the guarantees to your approval of Israeli plans for settlements makes clear the antipathy you must have for the one nation which has been the only true and consistent supporter of American policy and interests in the Middle East over the last three decades, if not since its founding in 1948.

Support the guarantees. People's lives are at stake.

Sincerely,

COREY B. BEARAK
President

c. Secretary of State James Baker
    U.S. Senator Daniel P. Moynihan
    U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato
    Member of Congress James H. Scheuer
    Member of Congress Gary L. Ackerman
    Member of Congress Thomas K. Manton
    Member of Congress Floyd Flake

P.S. On a personal note, the statements attributed to Secretary Baker are totally insensitive and repulsive. If proved true, he must be dismissed. Nothing less would be acceptable.

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