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CounterPunch
August
23, 2002
Lieberman's Conflict of Interest?
by William Hughes
On May 2, 2002, the Senate of the U.S. passed
a notorious pro-Israel Resolution (S. Res. 247), with respect
to the Mid-East controversy. Its co author was Sen. Joseph I.
Lieberman (D-CT). In pushing the measure, he barked, "You
are either with us or the terrorists" (Washington Times,
May 3, 2002). Who is this "us" he is talking about?
The measure falsely equated the U.S.'s
post-9/11 fight against terrorism with Israel's brutal occupation
of the Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
It also condoned Israel's vicious military attacks on Jenin,
Ramallah and Bethlehem.
Black's Law Dictionary (5th Ed.) defines
a conflict of interest as a "Term used in connection with
public officials and their relationship to matters of private
interest or gain to them."
The Senate Code of Official Conduct,
"Conflict of Interest," Rule 37, Par. 2, states:
"No Member...shall engage in any
outside business...which is inconsistent or in conflict with
the conscientious performance of official duties."
The legislative history of this provision
says, "It should be read to prohibit any outside activities
which could represent a conflict of interest or the appearance
of a conflict of interest (See, Senate Ethics Manual, Sele ct
Committee on Ethics, United States Senate, p. 66).
The Congressional Directory, (107th Congress,
2001-2002), list the official biography for Lieberman. It is
silent about his membership or association with any Zionist organizations
or his adherence to a Zionist political ideology.
Lawmaking is built on trust. Lieberman
has an obligation to his fellow senators to disclose fully his
agenda to the members of the Senate. Almost all elected political
entities abide by these ethical rules, which are centered on
revealing any conflict of interest, appearance of a conflict
of interest, prejudice, or bias.
Like all members of the Senate, Lieberman
is required to file an annual "Financial Disclosure Statement"
with the Secretary of the Senate. In his May 15, 2001 submittal,
he again failed to mention any official membership in any Zionist
organizations. Although, he does disclose his significant connection,
as an advisory board member, to three Israeli-based non-profit
organizations: "The Peres Center for Peace" at Tel
Aviv; "Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies" at
Bar-Ilan University, and the "Natural History Museum,"
located in Jerusalem.
Lieberman's membership in these Zionist
affiliated groups does raise, on its face, an appearance of a
conflict of interest on his part with respect to an issue, like
S. Res. 247, since it advances the cause of Zionism and/or Zionist
Israel. If he is in fact a Zionist, then the conflict between
his public duties and his private interests becomes even more
pronounced.
The Anti-Defamation League, a hot air
organ for Israel, defines Zionism as, "The guiding nationalist
movement of the majority of Jews around the world, who believe
in, support and identify with the State of Israel." Does
Lieberman subscribe, as a matter of personal political philosophy,
to the ADL's definition of Zionism? If so, shouldn't he put that
fact on the public record, whether he is a card carrying Zionist
or not?
Actually, Zionism is an alien based political
movement, global in scope, racially restrictive, with its spiritual
headquarters in Tel Aviv, and not Washington, D.C. It aspires
to a land grabbing "Greater Israel."
On another disturbing front, Israel Radio
(Kol Yisrael), reported on Oct. 3, 2001, that Israeli Prime Minister,
Ariel Sharon, had boasted at a Cabinet meeting, "I want
to tell you something very clear, don't worry about American
pressure on Israel, we, the Jewish people control America, and
the Americans know it."
In light of the above, I feel the Senate
had a right to know any relevant information about Lieberman's
Zionist political ideology, memberships, and associations in
order to weigh the value of endorsing or opposing his pro Israel
resolution. He should have, at a minimum, disclosed to the Senate
any and all of his Zionist connections, and then, if appropriate,
recused himself on the matter of S. Res. 247.
Our country is at high risk for terrorist
attacks, partly, because of its flawed policy of giving unconditional
support to a hawkish Israel, presently led by a man universally-loathed
for his brutality. This policy, unfortunately, also includes
unfairly demonizing and punishing Muslims and Arabs leaders in
general; for example, the economic sanctions against Iraq, which
have caused the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi
children, fall into the latter category (CASI, 01/02).
During the 2000 election, Lieberman received
$86,000 from Pro-Israel PAC contributors towards his Senate re-election
campaign, (See, Janet McMahon, WRMEA, Oct/Nov. 2000 issue). What
effect did that financial contribution, and others like it, have
on his voting record and on his hidden political agenda?
Let me make this clear: Lieberman's religion
is no one's business but his own. His politics, however, and
any foreign links to it, are the public's business. I am pro-America.
I am also an anti-Zionist and against Sharon's colonial policies.
S. Res. 247, which passed the Senate
by a 94-2 vote, will only increase the hostility towards America
in the Arab and Muslim world. It also, more importantly, will
send a green light to the blood stained Sharonists to continue
their killing spree against innocent Palestinians. Thankfully,
Senators Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) and Ernest F. Hollings (D S.C.)
had the courage to oppose the Resolution.
No special foreign-based interest, like
Zionism, should ever be placed above the interest of our Republic.
Lieberman must be forced to come clean with the Senate about
all his Zionist connections. Senate Rule 37 requires it and so
does the future security of our nation.
William Hughes
is a Baltimore attorney.
He can be reached at: liamhughes@mindspring.com
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