This hearing, presided over by Commissioner Chris Smith, discussed the prospect of having an OSCE-like organization that would apply to the Middle East. While Rep. Smith acknowledges the argument that a mechanism like the OSCE for the Middle East would not be appropriate, due to the fact that it is a different region, and, of course, such a thing would be agreed upon at a different time, there is an argument to be made that the substantial gulf between the Soviet Union and the U.S. and the gulf that exists among many Middle Eastern countries is are analogous. In fact, a provision of the bilateral treaty between Israel and Jordan envisioned the possibility of creation of a Helsinki-like framework for the Middle East. Issues, however, are likely to arise, such as: To what extent are leaders from the Middle East willing to take ownership of such a process? Is Islam compatible with democratic governance? Would such a process be comprehensive? Which countries would or should be involved?
Members
Hon. Chris Smith
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Hon. Steny Hoyer
House Minority Whip
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Hon. Ben Cardin
Ranking Member
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Hon. Mike McIntyre
Commissioner
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Witnesses
Hon. Max M. Kampelman
Ambassador (ret.), Chairman Emeritus
Freedom House
His Excellency Natan Sharansky
Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs
Hon. Mark Palmer, Ambassador (ret.)
Co-Founder and Board Member
National Endowment for Democracy
Peter Jones
Research Associate
Munk Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto
Hon. Craig Dunkerley
Ambassador (ret.), Distinguished Visiting Professor, Near East-South Asia Center for Strategic Studies
National Defense University
Professor Michael Yaffe PhD.
Academic Dean, Near East-South Asia Center for Strategic Studies
National Defense University
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