Chairman Arafat writes that "all outstanding issues will be resolved through negotiations." The unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state would clearly violate this commitment as well as the IsraeliPalestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip which was signed in Washington. D.C. on September 28. 1995. The agreement states that it is the understanding of the parties involved that permanent status negotiations "shall cover remaining issues. including: Jerusalem. refugees. settlements. security arrangements. borders. relations and cooperation with other neighbors. and other issues of common interest" and further that "neither side shall initiate or take any step that will change the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip pending the outcome of the permanent status negotiations." Mr. President. this resolution puts the U.S. Senate on record as opposing the unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood.
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refugees