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The Middle East: Would the Helsinki Process Apply?

Members

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Hon. Chris Smith

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Hon. Steny Hoyer

House Minority Whip

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

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Hon. Ben Cardin

Ranking Member

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Hon. Mike McIntyre

Commissioner

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Witnesses

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Hon. Max M. Kampelman

Ambassador (ret.), Chairman Emeritus

Freedom House

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His Excellency Natan Sharansky

Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs

Hon. Mark Palmer, Ambassador (ret.)

Co-Founder and Board Member

National Endowment for Democracy

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Peter Jones

Research Associate

Munk Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto

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Hon. Craig Dunkerley

Ambassador (ret.), Distinguished Visiting Professor, Near East-South Asia Center for Strategic Studies

National Defense University

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Professor Michael Yaffe PhD.

Academic Dean, Near East-South Asia Center for Strategic Studies

National Defense University

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?

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