WASHINGTON, DC - Last week, Congressman Jim Davis personally delivered a message to leaders in the Middle East. "Congress and the President are united in the war on terrorism and we fully expect our allies in the Middle East to help prevent further terrorist activities on their own soil and abroad," said Congressman Davis.

Congressman Davis, a member of the House International Relations Committee, returned last night from a week long tour of the Middle East. On this fact-finding mission, sponsored by the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation, Davis gained a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing leaders in the region as they strive to address international terrorism and work toward a peaceful resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

"The battle against terrorism is inextricably tied to the Arab-Israeli conflict," said Congressman Davis. "America’s leaders have a role to play in bringing peace to this region as well as helping each country end terrorist activities within their own borders. Our goals can only be achieved through a better understanding of the cultural and economic issues facing Middle Eastern nations and open lines of communication with their leaders."

Congressman Davis met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Lebanese President Emil Lahoud, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yassar Arafat, and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz and King Fahd bin Abdul-Aziz, among many others.

Congressman Davis’ trip began just hours before Charles Bishop, on his tragic suicide mission, flew his plane across MacDill Air Force Base airspace. Following the September 11^th attacks, Congressman Davis met with Brig. Gen. Wayne Hodges, MacDill base commander, to discuss security at MacDill.

"Now that I have returned from the Middle East, my first priority will be to contact officials at MacDill to discuss base security in light of this unfortunate incident," said Congressman Davis. "I look forward to working with Representative Bill Young to make sure Congress is providing America’s military the resources they need to protect our facilities and troops."

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02-03