Post by Admin Tyler on Dec 27, 2005 13:31:43 GMT -5
REUTERS: Oswald, Swift Give Assurances to Israel
TEL AVIV, Israel- Arriving early Tuesday morning, a bipartisan envoy consisting of Vice President Edgar Oswald and Democratic Congressman August Swift met with Israeli leaders to offer support in the event of an attack or other major crisis. The two pledged assistance to "defend, protect, and secure the Israeli people" in the event that a regional power attempted to overwhelm the Israelis by conventional, nuclear, or other means.
The two also met behind closed doors with the Israeli President and his top Cabinet officials. After the talks were over, Oswald and Swift spoke to the media concerning what had transpired.
"Israel is, has been, and always shall be one of America's closest allies in the region," commented Oswald. "Today, it faces a greater external threat than it has ever squared off against in a long time. I know Congressman Swift has a bill before Congress that condemns those who have held anti-Semititic views and who have actively engaged in attempting to set-back the Israeli state in the Middle East. I commend him for it, and I know we're both in this together to work towards the protection of our beleagured ally in a world filled with so much hate and violence. There are several things Congressman Swift and I may disagree on when it comes to public policy issues, but I know for a fact this is one thing we will always stand on the same side on."
Congressman Swift also commented, “Israel, since its creation by the United Nations in the 50’s, has been a dear ally for many a years. Religion is a major thing and tension between Israel and other nations in the Middle East is religiously driven. The United States is committed to preserving peace in Israel—should Israel be attacked, we will intervene. The United Nations, will quite hopefully, begin to take action. Should they fail to remove the few anti-Semitic voices in the General Assembly, we will have to take action.”
The visit comes in the wake of Iran rejecting an European Union compromise which would have funnelled additional funding and technical support towards Iran's civilian nuclear program in exchange for dismantling its military nuclear R&D facilities. Hostilities in the region have been tense in the region since Syria has agreed to hold Iranian weapons until should Iran be subjected to UN sanctions.
TEL AVIV, Israel- Arriving early Tuesday morning, a bipartisan envoy consisting of Vice President Edgar Oswald and Democratic Congressman August Swift met with Israeli leaders to offer support in the event of an attack or other major crisis. The two pledged assistance to "defend, protect, and secure the Israeli people" in the event that a regional power attempted to overwhelm the Israelis by conventional, nuclear, or other means.
The two also met behind closed doors with the Israeli President and his top Cabinet officials. After the talks were over, Oswald and Swift spoke to the media concerning what had transpired.
"Israel is, has been, and always shall be one of America's closest allies in the region," commented Oswald. "Today, it faces a greater external threat than it has ever squared off against in a long time. I know Congressman Swift has a bill before Congress that condemns those who have held anti-Semititic views and who have actively engaged in attempting to set-back the Israeli state in the Middle East. I commend him for it, and I know we're both in this together to work towards the protection of our beleagured ally in a world filled with so much hate and violence. There are several things Congressman Swift and I may disagree on when it comes to public policy issues, but I know for a fact this is one thing we will always stand on the same side on."
Congressman Swift also commented, “Israel, since its creation by the United Nations in the 50’s, has been a dear ally for many a years. Religion is a major thing and tension between Israel and other nations in the Middle East is religiously driven. The United States is committed to preserving peace in Israel—should Israel be attacked, we will intervene. The United Nations, will quite hopefully, begin to take action. Should they fail to remove the few anti-Semitic voices in the General Assembly, we will have to take action.”
The visit comes in the wake of Iran rejecting an European Union compromise which would have funnelled additional funding and technical support towards Iran's civilian nuclear program in exchange for dismantling its military nuclear R&D facilities. Hostilities in the region have been tense in the region since Syria has agreed to hold Iranian weapons until should Iran be subjected to UN sanctions.